Ridge Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track meanders uphill through subalpine forest, crossing the Kapuni Stream before looping and returning to the visitor centre.

This DOC directory entry covers Ridge Loop Track in Taranaki, within Dawson Falls 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: 1.9 km loop
• Walking time: 1hr 20 min
• DOC grade: Easy

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

Follow the Wilkies Pools Loop Track then turn right at the first junction to cross Kapuni Stream.

Rock hop across the stream then continue until the next junction, turning right to head up a short steep track to join the Ridge Track. Turn right, walking down the ridge and over the bridge across the Kapuni Stream to reach Manaia Road below the visitor centre.

Take care when crossing the Kapuni Stream as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. If the Kapuni Stream is impassable due to flooding, return back to Wilkies Pool Track junction. Turn right to continue up to the pools and across the bridge. From here you can follow signs to Stratford Plateau and then turn right to descend the Ridge Track.

Take care when crossing the Kapuni Stream as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. There is no bridge across this stream. It may be impassable after heavy rain.

Getting there

The track starts at the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.

To get there starting from 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 ready for changeable weather

Taranaki Maunga has changeable and unpredictable weather. Check the forecast and carry enough clothing and equipment to ensure you are able to cope with any type of weather, at any time of the year.

Snow, high rainfall and storm damage can make tracks impassable.

Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki weather forecast – NIWA website

Take extra care on the access road

Take care when travelling up Manaia Road to Dawson Falls road end as there may be increased traffic and heavy goods vehicles.

Dawson Falls Lodge is being redeveloped at Dawson Falls road end. The Lodge and café are closed during this work.

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.