Walk 6: Taranaki Falls, 4th Sept 2018

Click here for the video

The falls tumble over the top of an old lava flow in Tongariro National Park.  The track is fairly easy.  It was the old Waihohonu horse track many years ago.  The Chateau is not that far away.

Walking through the mountain beech forest, the track follows the Wairere Stream.

The Wairere stream drops over the Cascade Falls on the way to Taranaki Falls.

Climbing up the steps of the lava flow above Taranaki falls you get extensive views of the land surrounding Tongariro National Park.

 Walk: Central North Island 43

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History of Tongariro National Park

In 1886 in order to prevent the selling of the mountains to European settlers, the local Ngati Tuwharetoa iwi had the mountains surveyed in the Native Land Court and then set aside (whakatapua) as a reserve.  The Tongariro deed of gift between Te Heuheu Tūkino IV of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and the Crown (1887) can be seen on the above history link.

Links:

Taranaki Falls Walk
Freewalks, NZ: Taranaki Falls Walk, Mt Ruapehu