Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Enjoy great views up the mountain and down to the Taranaki Ring Plain and the coastline on the way to picturesque Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive. You can walk the upper or lower tracks, or combine them to make a loop track.

This DOC directory entry covers Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive tracks in Taranaki, within 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: Upper track 4.2 km, Lower track 6.2 km one way
• Walking time: Upper track 3-4 hr, Lower track 3-4 hr, loop 7-8 hr
• 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

The picturesque Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive lies at the foot of the upper Beehive, a cumulo dome created when lava welled up and congealed before it could burst through.

There are two options to get to Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive – the upper and lower tracks. You can combine the tracks to make a 13 km loop track.

Note: a slip just past the Hastie's Hill turn off has a diversion cut around it. Look carefully for track markers.

Upper Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track

Distance 4.2 kmTime: 3-4 hr

From the road end at Dawson Falls the Upper Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track follows Panitahi and Syme Hut Track through forest to the junction with the Lower Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track.

Here the track turns right and steadily climbs up steps, past the Hilary Seat, Hooker Shelter, and Kapuni Lodge Track to approximately 1500 m altitude. At the junction, the Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track heads left to follow marker poles across exposed alpine tussock slopes before descending steeply down to the lake.

The upper section of this track is exposed to the weather and requires ice axe and crampons in winter conditions.

Lower Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track

Distance: 6.2 kmTime: 3-4 hr

From Dawson Falls Road end, the Lower Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track follows Panitahi and Syme Hut Track then branches left at the junction, passing Hastie’s Hill, undulating through forest and crossing many unbridged streams before arriving at the lake.

This track is more protected from the weather than the Upper Mangōraukawa / Lake Dive Track, but it has unbridged stream crossings that can make it impassable in bad weather.

Getting there

Start this track from the Dawson Falls road end.

• 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

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.

Expect challenging track conditions

The upper track is very exposed and not recommended in winter unless parties are equipped with ice axe and crampons. It is better to return on the lower track during this time of year.

Expect overgrown sections of track and some erosion in places.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

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.