Last updated November 2026
The Stratford Plateau Lookout is a short walk from the end of Pembroke Road on the eastern side of Taranaki Maunga to a lookout with views up the mountain and down to the Taranaki ring plain. The track starts just below the Stratford Plateau car park toilets and is signposted to the lookout.
DOC grades it Easiest and allows 30 minutes. DOC lists the track type as Easy access (wheelchair), but notes some sections can be narrow, rough or uneven, so assistance is recommended. 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 Stratford Plateau Lookout on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Stratford Plateau car park at the end of Pembroke Road (right turn just below the toilets)
- Distance from the city
- about 28 km from New Plymouth
- Walking time
- 30 min
- Track length
- About 0.1 km
- Grade
- Easiest
- Dogs
- No Dogs
- Track type
- Easy access (wheelchair)
- 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 Stratford Plateau Lookout
This short walk takes you from the Stratford Plateau car park to a viewpoint over the mountain and the plains below. Take the right-hand turn just below the car park toilets and follow the signs.
From the lookout the view runs in two directions: up the slopes of the mountain, and down over the Taranaki ring plain. DOC suggests looking at how the plants change with altitude.
For a longer outing, the Manganui Gorge Track to the suspension bridge starts from the top of the same car park.
Accessibility
DOC lists the track type as Easy access (wheelchair). It also notes that some sections may be narrow because of vegetation on the track, and some may be rough or uneven. DOC recommends assistance for wheelchair users who are unfamiliar with the track.
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 and then montane forest, past the Mountain House Motor Lodge, and winds another 3 km to the road end car park at the Stratford Plateau (1172 m), where DOC says there are superb views of the surrounding countryside. Bring warm layers, as the weather at this height can change quickly.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Stratford Plateau Lookout: 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 Stratford Plateau Lookout walk take?
DOC allows 30 minutes.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it Easiest, its gentlest grade.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
DOC lists the track type as Easy access (wheelchair), but some sections can be narrow, rough or uneven. DOC recommends assistance if you are unfamiliar with the track.
Where does it start?
At the Stratford Plateau car park at the end of Pembroke Road. Turn right just below the car park toilets and follow the signs.
What can I see from the lookout?
Views up Taranaki Maunga and down to the Taranaki ring plain, and the way plant types change with altitude.
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.