Egmont National Park

Egmont National Park (335 sq.km) is centerd on the almost symmetrical volcano of Taranaki, whose highest peak rises up to 2518m. With its harmonious conical form, Taranaki has often been compared with Japan's Fujiyama. The Maori name Taranaki has prevailed over the name Mount Egmont (after the Earl of Egmont, First Lord of the Admiralty) given to the mountain by Captain Cook, though that name is borne by the national park.

Within the park, which takes in the main summit (2518m) and the subsidiary summits to the north, Pouakai (1400m) and Patuha (684m), the original vegetation of primeval forest and scrub has been preserved. In summer hosts of walkers and climbers make for the summits (the climb, there and back, can be done in a day from one of the mountain houses in the area), while in winter the slopes of the mountain attract large numbers of skiers.

On Mount Taranaki you should keep an eye on the weather. In these mountain regions it is very changeable: good weather can suddenly change to mist or rain and become colder. The best time to climb the mountain is in the summer month of January.