Last updated November 2026
The Manganui Gorge Track climbs from the top of the Stratford Plateau car park to the Manganui Gorge suspension bridge and on to the ski field on the eastern side of Taranaki Maunga. On a clear day the walk gives great views of North Taranaki and up the coastline.
DOC grades it Easy and allows 20 minutes uphill to the bridge, about 900 m, plus a further 5–10 minutes to the ski field. The track is in an exposed alpine environment, and DOC warns it can be very icy in winter. The Plateau 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 Manganui Gorge Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Top end of the Stratford Plateau car park, end of Pembroke Road
- Distance from the city
- about 28 km from New Plymouth
- Walking time
- 20 min one way to the bridge, then a further 5–10 min to the ski field
- Track length
- About 900 m to the bridge, then a further 300 m to the ski field
- 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 Manganui Gorge Track
From the top of the Plateau car park you walk up the access road towards the suspension bridge and the ski field. It is a short climb, but you are already high on the mountain, and the views open up quickly over North Taranaki and along the coast.
At the flying fox there are good views of the Manganui Gorge and the summit of Taranaki Maunga. The suspension bridge carries you across the gorge, and a few minutes further on you reach the ski field. From there the track continues as the high level summer route of the Around the Mountain Circuit.
DOC notes there are some big drop-offs along the way, so supervise children.
The Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge
The bridge is 100 m long and sits 49.5 m above the gorge floor. DOC says it is designed to last 100 years and to cope with the harsh subalpine conditions in the gorge, including strong winds and changeable weather. DOC notes that Ngāti Ruanui designed its balustrade panels, which show different phases of avalanches.
Track Conditions and Safety
The track is exposed to the weather, rocky and uneven in places, and can be very icy in winter conditions. DOC warns it may be unsafe to cross the bridge in strong winds, so be prepared to turn back.
The Stratford Plateau car park sits above 1,100 m and DOC warns it can get very cold rapidly, so bring warm, windproof layers even on a fine day. Check DOC before you go.
Getting There
Access to the east side of Taranaki Maunga is via Pembroke Road, which leads from the northern end of Stratford to the park boundary. The road climbs through podocarp and broadleaf forest, then montane forest, past the Ngāti Ruanui Stratford Mountain House, and winds another 3 km to the road end car park at the Stratford Plateau.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Manganui Gorge 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: East Egmont area: other walks from Pembroke Road and the Stratford Plateau.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Manganui Gorge Track take?
DOC allows 20 minutes uphill to the suspension bridge and a further 5–10 minutes to the ski field. Return the same way.
How hard is the walk?
DOC grades it Easy, but it is rocky and uneven in places, exposed to the weather and can be very icy in winter.
How long is the Manganui Gorge bridge?
The suspension bridge is 100 m long and sits 49.5 m above the gorge floor.
Can I cross the bridge in strong wind?
DOC warns it may be unsafe to cross the bridge in strong winds. Be prepared to turn back.
Where does the track start?
At the top end of the Stratford Plateau car park, at the end of Pembroke Road above Stratford.
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.