4WD Trails in Taranaki

Taranaki is defined by its volcano — Mt Taranaki / Egmont — and the radial river valleys that flow out from it. The 4WD scene here centres on the Egmont National Park fringe tracks and the Taranaki back-country river valleys east of the mountain.

Egmont National Park has a network of unsealed access roads suitable for high-clearance 4WDs. The Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges offer shorter off-road day-trip loops. East Taranaki has farm tracks and river-valley 4WD routes through the Waitara and Mokau watersheds.

Year-round driving is the norm in Taranaki's lower country. Snow on Mt Taranaki above 1000 metres from June through September affects the summit-access road. River valley tracks can flood in heavy rain.