Last updated November 2026
The York Road Loop Track is a forest walk in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki that explores the remains of the old Egmont Branch railway quarry complex. It starts at the end of York Road, off State Highway 3 north of Stratford, and follows part of the old railway line through native forest.
DOC grades it Easy and allows 3 hours for the 5.3 km loop. DOC recommends walking it clockwise, passing ten numbered sites of interest along the way. The start is about 28 km from New Plymouth.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for York Road Loop Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- End of York Road, off State Highway 3, 6 km north of Stratford
- Distance from the city
- about 28 km from New Plymouth
- Walking time
- 3 hr loop
- Track length
- 5.3 km loop
- Grade
- Easy
- Dogs
- No Dogs
- Track type
- Walking track
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About York Road Loop Track
This loop is part bush walk, part open-air history lesson. The track follows a section of the old Egmont Branch Railway Line, which once carried metal from a quarry on the mountain, and winds through native forest past what is left of the quarry complex.
Ten numbered sites of interest mark the way, and DOC says the loop is best walked clockwise. Allow time to stop at each one as you go.
DOC grades the walk Easy and allows about three hours for the loop.
History of the Egmont Branch Railway
DOC records that the railway began in 1901, when the local Road Board and Council lobbied the Minister of Railways to build a branch line for metal quarrying on the mountain. Until the late 1920s the quarry supplied metal for Taranaki roads and rock for Port Taranaki in New Plymouth.
World War II was a major setback for the quarry, and it finally closed in the late 1940s.
Getting There
From Stratford, head north on State Highway 3 for 6 km and turn left into York Road. The track starts at the end of the road.
Taranaki Maunga has changeable and unpredictable weather at any time of year, so check the forecast and carry warm and waterproof layers. Check the DOC page for alerts before you go.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: York Road Loop Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki: an overview of the national park, its tracks and current alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the York Road Loop Track take?
DOC allows 3 hours for the 5.3 km loop.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it Easy.
Which way should I walk the loop?
DOC says it is best walked clockwise. It passes ten numbered sites of interest along the way.
What will I see?
Native forest and the remains of the old Egmont Branch railway quarry complex, which supplied metal for Taranaki roads and Port Taranaki.
Where does it start?
At the end of York Road. From Stratford, drive 6 km north on State Highway 3 and turn left into York Road.
Are dogs allowed?
No. DOC’s rule for this track is No Dogs.
Is the track open?
It was open when we checked on 18 October 2026, with no DOC alerts. Check the DOC page for current alerts before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.