Walking and Hiking

Te Henui Walkway

This is the more popular of New Plymouth’s two river walkways. Te Henui winds its way up from the coast through a variety of native and exotic flora, and past several picnic areas and swimming holes. It extends from the coast at East End Reserve to Welbourn and follows the scenic Te Henui River. On the way, you pass by historical pa sites and a wide range of flora and fauna. Gazetted as a national walkway, Te Henui is one of the most beautiful walkways in New Plymouth District and yet, incredibly, it originates from a sewage pipe route.

The Coastal Walkway

In 1997 the planning for the Coastal Walkway began and within 2 years the construction of the then 7km-long walkway from Ngamotu Beach in the east to the Waiwhakaiho River in the west began. It was completed in December 2001, excluding the lower Woolcombe Terrace path, which required cliff strengthening. In 2003, the lower path in front of the cliffs (between the city and the East End Reserve) was constructed and the entire pathway was raised by 2m to a finished height of 7m above sea level.

Lake Mangamahoe

In the early 1920s New Plymouth City Council purchased land for the construction of a dam and a lake to act as a water catchment area for the expanding city of New Plymouth. In 1932 the lake was created by forming a dam across the valley and submerging 79 acres.It was named after the Mangamahoe stream which flows into the upper reaches of the lake.

Barrett Domain

As you enter the domain from Roto St. walk about 200m down a gravel track; the start of this walk is on your right. There is a cemented stone seat, which on 17 February 1966 was unveiled as a memorial to Mr Fred Cowling. These majestic kauri trees he planted are now more than 50 years old and provide a tranquil area in which to walk. This track continues to Alba St and exits the domain, or you can instead cross the bridge and walk through the trees until you come to a grassed area. At this point you can continue on to the Rayward Bush Walk or return to the main track.

Mount Taranaki Summit Track

From the Egmont National Park Visitor Centre the Summit Climb heads up the boardwalk past the historic Camphouse and onto Translator Rd.You will approach the TV translator and Tahurangi Lodge after a tough walk of about 1½ hours and you will notice you have entered the alpine zone where tussocks and mosses struggle for survival at this exposed altitude.On clear days the views are expansive over the blue Tasman Sea, the lush pasture checkerboard of North and South Taranaki and on to the snow-capped volcanoes of the Central North Island.