The Department of Conservation says the Around the Mountain Circuit on Mt Taranaki could be closed for several months following recent damaging storms.
A DOC ranger checks out the damage to the Around the Mountain Circuit on Taranaki Maunga. Photo: DOC
Taranaki District ranger supervisor Andy Johnston said rangers had been busy assessing and repairing track damage since the storm event on 18 and 19 July.
He said although tree windfalls and smaller slips had been repaired, other tracks would take time to fix.
The most severe damage is a blowout on a tributary of the Waiaua River which has created a deep canyon blocking access to the Waiaua Gorge Hut from the upper Ihaia Track on the western side of the mountain.
"It's unfortunately not an easy fix," Johnston said.
"A flood has caused large amounts of erosion along the entire stream channel creating a canyon up to 15m deep in some sections. The resulting debris of mud, rocks and uprooted trees has spread over a large area downstream. This area is inaccessible and dangerous.
"We're looking at whether we can reroute the Ihaia Track lower downstream and back up to the Waiaua Gorge Hut, but this will take time due to the amount of erosion and the challenge of finding a suitable safe route through the area."
Johnston said no timeframe could be given for reopening of the track but it was likely to be months rather than weeks.
Trampers were urged to check for up-to-date track conditions on the DOC website or contact North Egmont Visitor Centre prior to heading into the national park.
