Central North Island
Taranaki Falls: the forest and waterfall loop from Whakapapa
Taranaki Falls is a satisfying half-day outing from Whakapapa: forest, open tussock country and a waterfall dropping over a dark volcanic cliff. The loop gives you changing scenery without committing to one of Tongariro’s longer alpine routes.
| Area | Whakapapa, Tongariro National Park |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 6 km, full loop |
| Walking time | About 2 hours; allow longer for stops |
| Effort | Easy to intermediate track, with steps and exposed sections |
| Start and finish | Ngauruhoe Place, Whakapapa Village |
| Dogs | Not permitted |
Where it is
The walk sits beside Whakapapa Village, on the western side of Tongariro National Park. It is reached on SH48. The wider map shows its position near Ruapehu and National Park village.
Finding the start
Look for the signed track on Ngauruhoe Place, about 100 metres below the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Use designated village parking and check local signs before leaving the car. This is a loop, so you finish back in the same village.
Plan your toilet stop before leaving Whakapapa and bring your drinking water. The visitor centre is the useful first stop for local facility and track information. If arriving without a car, confirm your transport to Whakapapa and the return pickup before setting off.
The walking loop
- Take the lower track. Cross tussock and shrubland, then enter beech forest. Follow the Wairere Stream past Cascade Falls.
- Reach Taranaki Falls. The waterfall drops about 20 metres over a lava-flow edge. This is the main scenic stop; leave room in your plan to enjoy it.
- Climb above the falls. A flight of roughly 100 steps brings you to the Tama Lakes Track junction. Turn right towards Whakapapa for this loop.
- Return on the upper track. Cross open tussock and gullies, then head back towards the village.
The orange line shows the upper and lower tracks. Tap either map to enlarge it.
What to expect and what I would bring
The distance is manageable for many day walkers, but the steps and open ground still need some fitness. The lower forest section offers more shelter; the upper section leaves you more exposed to wind and changing mountain weather.
I’d bring grippy walking shoes, a rain jacket, a warm layer, water, lunch or snacks, sun protection and a headtorch. Keep the warm layer dry inside the pack. For your first outing here, give yourself spare time instead of trying to fit the walk into a tight driving schedule.
Check the weather forecast for the terrain you will walk through, tell someone your plan and return time, and save the official map before leaving. Stay on the signed loop; continuing towards Tama Lakes is a different, longer trip.
Maps, sources and photo credit
Checked 27 September 2026. Recheck DOC’s current alerts and the weather before travelling.
- DOC Taranaki Falls route and current information
- Official Tongariro walking-track maps and brochure
- Tourism New Zealand distance and time overview
Maps use genuine LINZ aerial imagery and Imagery Basemap contributors, CC BY 4.0, cropped and labelled. Route data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Waterfall photograph: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0.
