The Department of Conservation is planning to establish a new tramping route in Egmont National Park to rival the hugely popular Tongariro Crossing.
The Pouakai Crossing will combine existing track between the North Egmont Visitors' Centre and Mangorei Road with 5.3km of new track to take trampers past the Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens.
DoC's partnership manager for Taranaki, Darryn Ratana, says only 6 percent of visitors to Taranaki use the national park on the western coast of the North Island - a figure he wants to improve.
Mr Ratana said the crossing could potentially be used by trampers and moutainbikers depending on its success.
The project would cost about $400,000 and DoC is looking for third-party funding.
