Curtis Falls Track

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Marios Gavalas

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Mt Taranaki, Taranaki

Camping near Mt Taranaki

Information

4.2 km return | 2 hours return

The 8-metre high falls are named after the three Curtis brothers, who along with H Penn and F Arden, discovered the falls on a forest foray in 1888.

Walking Track

Timing

This is not a track to attempt in wet weather, as sudden rises in river level are common during and after rain events.

Access

In Stratford, turn into Pembroke Road, signposted Egmont National Park The Plateau. The Department of Conservation Area Office is on the left after 8.2 km, 1.7 km before the entrance to Egmont National Park.

The Mountain House is 4.5 km inside the park boundary, 4.5 km below the Plateau Carpark at the roadend.

The start of the track is signposted from the opposite side of Pembroke Road to Mountain House, just above the top exit.

Track

Head right at the first junction and descend steeply to Te Popo Stream. After the climb out there’s a particularly fine collection of moss encrusted kamahi. The track continues to climb gently before falling steeply via a metal ladder and stairways to Manganui River (45 minutes).

Head left upstream along the river course. There’s moss covered boulders and a few stream crossings to negotiate. You may get wet feet if you’re not wearing waterproof boots. The gorge narrows and steepens, just before Curtis Falls, which tumble over a small bluff. Above are vertical lava walls capped in forest.

This is not a track to attempt in wet weather, as sudden rises in river level are common during and after rain events.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Taranaki

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.3053805438185

174.122364425659

Latitude
-39.3053805438185
Longitude
174.122364425659

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	3km to 10km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km
Track Duration	1 to 2 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours
Track Difficulty	Moderate walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.