Potaema Track
Alerts
Avalanche NZ
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NIWA weather risks
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Forecast point: North Taranaki VC (960m) · 6.7km away
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
A boardwalk track suitable for wheelchairs and prams that takes you through native forest.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
This wheelchair friendly track starts at the Potaema Picnic Area about 3 km in from the park boundary on Pembroke Road.
Raised boardwalks take you through lush lowland forest made up of rimu-rata/kamahi, kahikatia and mountain totara/pokaka. The track leads to a large lowland bog that sustains a wide variety of flora and fauna. Magnificent views of the mountain can be had across the swamp from the viewing area.
Getting there
Access to the east side of Taranaki Maunga is via Pembroke Road which leads directly to the park boundary from the northern end of Stratford township.
The road climbs through popdocarp/broadleaf forest and then montane forest, reaching the accommodation centre of the Mountain House Motor Lodge. The road winds its way another 3km to the road end car park at the Stratford Plateau (1172 m) where there are superb views of the surrounding countryside.
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track