Mt Taranaki reflected in tarn, Pouakai Range, Egmont National Park

The Pouakai Range lies immediately north of Mt Taranaki in Egmont National Park, and comprises the eroded remnants of an extinct volcano. In contrast to the higher, more youthful Mt Taranaki, the Pouakai Range reaches a maximum height of only about 1400 metres above sea level. The montane forest blanketing the lower slopes of the Pouakais peters out at the bushline at about 1200 metres, and the higher ridges are clad with alpine tussock and small hardy shrubs.

Pouakai Hut, an easy 2.5 hour walk from the Mangorei Road end near New Plymouth, is a popular overnight destination for trampers in this area, and a short 15-minute walk from here takes one to this delightful collection of small tarns on a broad, flat ridgeline. From here a grandstand view of Mt Taranaki can be had on a clear day, and, if it is calm enough, great reflections can be seen in the largest tarn.