Taranaki Maunga's popular Around the Mountain Circuit has been closed until further notice. Photo: Department of Conservation - Taranaki
Taranaki Maunga's popular Around the Mountain Circuit has been closed until further notice due to severe storm damage and erosion wiping out sections of track in recent weeks.
Department of Conservation staff made the call to close the Stony River / Hangatahua Route after assessing storm damage to the area last week. The closure of the route means trampers cannot complete the full circuit.
"The route has become unsafe for trampers due to erosion and the ongoing risk of rock fall," DOC's Taranaki operations manager Gareth Hopkins said.
"Access from the Bells Falls junction (near Holly Hut) through to Kahui Hut is closed. This will impact trampers attempting the Around the Mountain Circuit."
Although the closure would disappoint some visitors to Egmont National Park / Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, the risk of serious injury to trampers was significant. Currently it was not possible to reroute or repair the track, Hopkins said.
The closure would be reviewed in six months when DOC had carried out further assessment work to determine if a repair was feasible.
Between 1000 and 2000 trampers tackle the Around the Mountain Circuit a year. It was considered suitable for experienced trampers with good back-country skills. It was not recommended for inexperienced or novice trampers.
"We urge the public to stay off this track. The park has a range of other tramping and day walk options for visitors to enjoy," Hopkins said.
The western and southern sides of Taranaki Maunga were particularly prone to severe erosion, flooding and lahars leading to track damage. This had worsened in recent years.
Trampers were urged to check for up-to-date track conditions on the DOC website and ensure they were aware of weather forecasts - and were adequately prepared - before setting out.