© Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 
© Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Whakapapa Village
Taranaki Falls Loop
Easy 6.0 kmloop 2 hr loop ↑ 146 m
Whakapapa Village
Silica Rapids Track
Easy Half day
Beech forest, Punaruku Falls and a golden stream bed lead to white silica terraces beneath a lava flow. Return down Bruce Road or do the short 1.5 hr version from the upper car park.
7.0 kmloop
2.5 hr loopwalking time
↑ 276 mclimb
1,307 mhigh point
Silica Rapids Track © Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 
© Mike Dickison · CC0 Elevation profile
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What you’ll see
- 1 Waterfall· 1,200 m Punaruku Falls
- 2
Springs· 1,260 m Silica Rapids - 3
Forest· 1,050 m Whakapapanui Stream
Mountain beech forestIron-stained streamSilica terracesSubalpine scrubLava flow
The walk
From the village the track follows the Whakapapanui Stream through beech forest, passes Punaruku Falls and a stream stained orange-gold with iron, then climbs into subalpine scrub to the Silica Rapids, where aluminium silicate from cold springs coats the rocks creamy white. The loop returns along Bruce Road (3 km of road walking, usually quiet) or you can retrace the track.
Start. Whakapapa Village (or Bruce Road car park for the short version)
Snow & season
Occasional snow
Occasional light snow in winter on the upper part; normally fine all year.
Best season: All year
Live forecast →Combine with
© Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 © Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Whakapapa Village
Tama Lakes Track
Intermediate 17 kmreturn 5–6 hr return ↑ 686 m
© Blueromulan · CC BY-SA 3.0 