Dawson Falls - Stratford Plateau tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk one way from Dawson Falls to Stratford Plateau or complete a circuit back to Dawson Falls.

This DOC directory entry covers Dawson Falls - Stratford Plateau tracks in Taranaki, within Dawson Falls area / East Egmont area / Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 1 hr 20 min one way | 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr return
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Dawson Falls - Stratford Plateau Track

Time: 1 hr 20 min to the PlateauDistance: 3.1 km

Take the Wilkies Pools Loop Track from the car park, walking through forest before arriving at the series of pools and cascades scoured out of the lava. Continue past the pools until you come to the junction with the high level Around the Mountain Track, turn left toward the Plateau and climb northeast into mountain totara and cedar before emerging in subalpine scrub near The Plateau car park at East Egmont. There is a toilet, picnic spot and lookout here, but no public shelter.

Dawson Falls - Stratford Plateau - Enchanted Track - Waingongoro Track

Time: 3 hr 30 min to 4 hr returnDistance: 7.8 km

Take the Wilkies Pools Loop Track from the car park, then the track on toward the Stratford Plateau. Descend the steep Enchanted Track. Cross the unbridged stream and turning at the bottom to head in the direction of Waingongoro Hut.

After crossing the swingbridge over the Waingongoro Stream, either take a 5 minute detour to Waingongoro Hut, or head uphill, climbing the rough track steadily uphill to the Ridge Track junction. From here follow signs back to the visitor centre.

After heavy rain the unbridged river crossing over the lower Wilkies Pools Track can be impassable. Be prepared to detour to the bridge on the upper Wilkies Pools Track. Or descend and cross the bridge at the bottom of the Ridge Track, connecting with the Kapuni Track.

This track has some overgrown sections (particularly the Enchanted Track) and areas of erosion. Stay on the track as this area has old mining excavations from propecting days and these can be a fall hazard as they are hard to see.

Not all streams have bridges across them and can become impassable after heavy rain. Be prepared to turn back. The swingbridge hangs 24 m above the Waingongoro Stream and is a challenge for some.

Getting there

These tracks start in Dawson Falls.

• Starting in Stratford, turn off State Highway 23 into Celia Street, which becomes Opunake Road.

• Follow this for 14 km, then turn right into Manaia Road.

• Continue on this road for 9 km up the mountain to Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.

Know before you go

Stay on the track

This area has old mining excavations from propecting days and these can be a fall hazard as they are hard to see. Stay on the track and supervise children closely.

Be prepared for changeable weather

Weather on the mountain changes rapidly – you must be well prepared with suitable clothing and equipment for all weather and conditions.

Snow, high rainfall and storm damage can make tracks impassable – many rivers and streams are unbridged.

Check the Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki weather forecast before you go.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.