Visit this park to see Mount Taranaki, a dormant volacano which towers over the city of New Plymouth. It’s very easy to get to, and has excellent hiking trails on which you can climb, ski, hike or walk. The trails come in all sizes and types: from 30 minute treks starting at higher-up elevations to several hours to the summit from lower down. There’s even the “Around the Mountain Circuit” which takes up to five days, if you’re a hiker who’s not into summits.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont is 8,261 feet tall and always covererd in ice and snow on its upper parts. It’s simply beautiful, and the Maoris consider it to be sacred. It’s been dormant since the late 1700′s, so don’t worry about frequent volcanic action. There’s a Visitors Center which can show you all about the park and the mountain and you can stop in the cafe to gear up your energy for the 93 miles of trails.
If you’re super interested in flora and fauna and things like model displays of volcanoes, you can geek out at the Dawson Falls Display Center, located south of the main visitor’s center.
