Taranaki Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand and the walk to get there showcases some of the best volcano views in Tongariro National Park. The falls cascade over a towering cliff wall which was formed when nearby Mount Ruapehu erupted thousands of years ago.

If you don’t mind a few hills and some uneven terrain we’d recommend completing the full circuit walk, but an easier option is possible, which we’ll detail below.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Taranaki Falls.

Taranaki Falls lower vs upper route

Both the lower and upper tracks used to access Taranaki Falls are roughly the same length, the difference in difficulty is down to the terrain and elevation gain. The lower route is slightly more challenging with several undulations and some rocks and tree roots along the track. It’s not difficult, but it’s not the smooth gravel path you’ll find on the upper track.

The upper track climbs (or descends if you’re doing the circuit) gently and the track conditions are excellent. If you’re worried about uneven terrain or want an easier overall walk you should use the upper track both ways.

However, it’s worth noting this path has the least variety to it, having neither the best views nor time spent beside the beautiful river. It’s also more exposed to the elements, so on a very windy day you’re going to feel it throughout almost the entire length of the walk.

The best way to visit the falls if you don’t mind some uneven terrain is by making a circuit. We’d recommend heading to the falls via the lower route as this means you are facing the views the whole way. You’ll also have a very leisurely descent which we always prefer.

Forming a circuit means you will have one short but steep climb on a well formed track from the bottom of the falls to the top, or vice versa, but it only takes five minutes or so and it’s well worth it.

The Taranaki Falls Circuit

The stats

Distance: 5.8km loop
Elevation gain: 145m
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Trailhead: Ngauruhoe Terrace, Whakapapa Village

The Taranaki Falls lower route

There is no official car park for the lower route, but you can park at the furthest end of Ngauruhoe Terrace in Whakapapa Village. It’s just by the start (or end) of the Upper Taranaki Falls route and 100m from the trailhead at the lower route. There are other places along Ngauruhoe Terrace you can park if the closest spots are full.

Once you reach the start of the trail you’ll head along a well graded gravel path gently downhill before it flattens.

You’ll get great views ahead to Mount Ngauruhoe almost immediately and they only get better as you continue towards the falls.

The path is in excellent condition, though if you’re walking in winter you may experience some mud after ice melt, but even then it’s not too bad.

After 600m walking out in the open between the tussocks, you’ll descend into forest. Much of the rest of the walk is spent in the forest, though you will pop in and out from time to time. The path undulates, but there is also plenty of flat track.

At the 1.3km mark there is a slightly steeper descent, but the path zig zags down and then has a few well maintained stairs, so it’s not difficult.

You’ll then hit a flat section through the forest, with a particularly picturesque boardwalk in a denser patch of forest. At the 1.5km mark you’ll reach a signposted junction and continue straight to reach the falls.

You’ll now begin walking alongside a beautiful turquoise river and the sound of the cascades adds to the atmosphere. The path is flat for the next 250m, but does have some tree roots at points.

The track now heads uphill briefly before reaching a bench at the 1.9km mark. A path branches off the main track and heads down to the river just beside the bench.

This short one minute detour leads to a gorge with turquoise water and small pools. Getting to the water’s edge requires climbing a few steps down an uneven muddy track, but it’s not difficult if you watch your footing.

The view is not hugely better than from the trail, though you can paddle your feet in the clear cool water (the pools are not big enough to swim in).

Just 200m beyond this spot there is easier access to the water, just off the main track, but it’s not secluded like the spot beside the bench.

The path then continues much as before, gently undulating before climbing briefly up to a bridge over the river, at the 2.7km mark.

From the right side of the bridge you can see the stunning Cascade Falls. It was in shadow when we visited but even then the water was still a brilliant turquoise (which doesn’t really show up in the photos!).

After crossing the bridge the track climbs up several stairs before levelling out and offering a glimpse of Mount Ruapehu. There is a small amount of additional uphill track to go to reach the bench beside Taranaki Falls.

Taranaki Falls

Taranaki Falls is stunning, the 20m cascade tumbles over the edge of a huge cliff face, which is the result of old lava flow formed when Mount Ruapehu erupted thousands of years ago.

We’ve visited the falls several times and it’s beautiful in the warmer months and in winter, when you may even get some icicles.

You can wander down to the base of the falls but it’s not a formed track, it’s more of a rocky social trail. It’s just a few metres to the bottom and then there are plenty of rocks to sit and relax on.

Climbing to the top of Taranaki Falls and the upper track

From the bottom of Taranaki Falls you need to cross a short rocky section of track before heading steeply uphill for 150m. At first it’s on a gravel path but then there are several steep staircases.

After checking out the falls from above you continue right, towards the stairs you can see ahead of you. There is a long drop toilet just past the trail junction (with the Tama Lakes Track) on the left if needed (usually BYO toilet paper).

You have another 150m climb on well maintained stairs to go before the path flattens and then gently descends all the way to the car park. It’s a very leisurely track and a relaxing end to the walk. You’ll have some good views of Mount Ruapehu and the path is a mix of gravel, boardwalk and the odd few stairs.

The vast majority is out in the open with just a very short forested section towards the end. Just over 2.3km after leaving the top of Taranaki Falls you will get some good views of Mount Ngauruhoe.

The flat track now continues towards the road and the village of Whakapapa, which is just 450m from the forest. You’ll then emerge at the car park and you can walk down Ngauruohoe Terrace to wherever you parked your car.

The Taranaki Falls track in winter

We’ve walked the trail in summer and winter and it’s just as good in both seasons. If the volcanoes are snow-capped then it’s actually even more scenic in winter. The trail holds up well in winter conditions as the elevation is much lower than that of Tama Lakes or the Tongariro Crossing.

You may experience some ice, usually in the mornings before the sun melts it, but it’s nothing that a pair of Yaktrax can’t handle.

When the ice melts it can get a little muddy, but nothing dramatic and much of the track that does get mud is flat, so you don’t have to worry about sliding down a muddy hill.

I definitely wouldn’t let winter conditions put you off this walk, but if you are worried about mud then try the nearby Silica Rapids Track which sees far fewer visitors and therefore the path doesn’t get churned like this one does. The Silica Rapids Track doesn’t have the stunning waterfall, but the views are even better.

Getting to the Taranaki Falls Track

The Taranaki Falls walk begins close to the visitor centre at Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park.

As the Taranaki Falls Track is a circuit, you can choose to go either clockwise (starting on the lower track) or anti-clockwise (starting on the upper track). The car park is at the the start of the upper track, but the lower track is only 100m down Ngauruhoe Terrace.

There is another parking area on Ngauruhoe Terrace, but neither parking area is large - though we’ve always managed to get a spot even in peak season. You could also begin slightly further away by the visitor centre, but do check the time limits for the parking spaces as many we saw were just 60 minutes.

The car park is located 47km and a 35 minute drive from Turangi and 97km and a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Taupo.

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