Taranaki Maunga

Taranaki Maunga stands alone on the coast, a near-perfect cone of a dormant volcano in Egmont National Park. Its position means it often makes its own weather, so a clear forecast in the morning can still end in cloud and rain.

The club's trips here range from easy-medium walks to Holly Hut, the Pouākai Circuit and Lake Dive, to snow and rock climbs up the mountain itself, with Syme Hut high up the slopes. Winter and spring trips are common, and Alpine 1 appears among the grades.

Summits in winter need alpine gear and good judgement, and even summer trips on the mountain are best planned with a flexible day.