© 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
Whakapapaiti Valley Track
Intermediate Full day
A quieter loop into a remote valley beneath Ruapehu’s western lava flows, with a hut, moraine ridges and big mountain views.
16 kmloop
4–5 hr loopwalking time
↑ 640 mclimb
1,484 mhigh point
Whakapapaiti Valley Track © Mike Dickison · CC0 
© Sarang · WTFPL 
© Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 Elevation profile
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What you’ll see
Beech forestAlpine tussockLava flows & moraineMountain stream
The walk
The loop leaves the Silica Rapids track, climbs through forest and tussock to the Whakapapaiti Stream and its hut, then climbs over an old moraine ridge with views of Ruapehu’s western face before meeting Bruce Road at the Upper Whakapapa Valley car park. Return down the road or arrange a pick-up.
Start. Whakapapa Village
Snow & season
Winter snow
Sections above 1,300 m regularly carry winter snow; stream crossings rise after rain.
Best season: October to May for most walkers
- Unbridged stream crossings
- Exposed upper section
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
© Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Whakapapa Village
Silica Rapids Track
Easy 7.0 kmloop 2.5 hr loop ↑ 276 m