Last updated November 2026
The Nature Walk at North Egmont is a short, family friendly loop from the North Taranaki Visitor Centre that passes the Ambury Monument and returns through the forest. It starts on the boardwalk past the historic Camphouse, climbs to the monument, then crosses Translator Road and heads back down through the trees.
DOC grades it Easiest and allows 25 minutes for the 800 m loop. It has steps and some steep sections with drop-offs, so keep an eye on children.
North Egmont is about 24 km from New Plymouth, and when we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC said parking there was limited until December 2026 while the new visitor centre is built.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Nature Walk on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- North Taranaki Visitor Centre, end of Egmont Road (North Egmont)
- Distance from the city
- about 24 km from New Plymouth
- Walking time
- 25 min
- Track length
- 800 m loop
- Grade
- Easiest
- Dogs
- No Dogs
- Track type
- Short walk
- 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 the Nature Walk
This short loop packs a lot of North Egmont into 25 minutes. From the visitor centre you follow the boardwalk past the Camphouse to the viewing platform, then the track leads up to the Ambury Monument, a stone memorial to a climber who died trying to save his companion on the mountain in 1918.
At the monument the track turns left and descends to cross Translator Road. It then re-enters the forest and winds back down to the visitor centre, giving you a taste of the bush on the lower slopes of Taranaki Maunga.
DOC describes it as family friendly. The trade-off for the compact route is a few steps and some steep pinches along the way.
Track Conditions
DOC notes the track has steps and is steep in some places, with a few big drop-offs near the track edge, so keep an eye on children. Weather on the mountain changes rapidly, so bring a warm layer and check the forecast before you go.
Getting There and Parking
Head about 13 km south from New Plymouth to Egmont Village, turn off State Highway 3 onto Egmont Road and follow it for 16 km to the North Taranaki Visitor Centre at the end. The visitor centre is signposted from the junction.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC said parking at the North Egmont road end was limited until December 2026 due to construction of the new visitor centre, and recommended carpooling or a shuttle. At that time the visitor centre remained open in a temporary building in the upper car park.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Nature Walk: 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: North Egmont area: the visitor centre, parking notices and other short walks that start at North Egmont.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Nature Walk take?
DOC allows 25 minutes for the 800 m loop.
Is the Nature Walk suitable for children?
DOC calls it family friendly. It does have steps, steep sections and a few big drop-offs near the edge, so keep an eye on children.
What will I see?
The Camphouse, the viewing platform, the Ambury Monument and a stretch of forest on the way back down to the visitor centre.
Where does it start?
At the North Taranaki Visitor Centre at the end of Egmont Road, North Egmont.
Are dogs allowed?
No. DOC’s rule for this track is No Dogs.
Is parking available?
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC said parking at the North Egmont road end was limited until December 2026 while the new visitor centre is built. DOC recommends carpooling or using a shuttle.
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.