Fanthams Peak lies in the stunning Egmont National Park in New Zealand’s North Island. It’s right next door to the incredible Mount Taranaki and offers breathtaking views of the volcano. It’s one of the best day hikes on New Zealand’s North Island. In this post, I’ve shared everything you need to know about hiking the Fanthams Peak track and staying in Syme Hut.
Fanthams Peak is a parasitic cone to the side of the picturesque Taranaki Volcano. It was named after Francis Fantham who was the first European woman to reach the summit in 1887. The Taranaki volcano is considered to be one of the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world and rivals Mt Fuji in Japan. Hiking Fanthams Peak gives you arguably the best up-close view of this incredible force of nature.
My hike to Fanthams Peak wasn’t planned. I was staying nearby looking for hikes in Egmont National Park and Fanthams Peak came up. After walking to Wilkies Pools, a great short hike near Taranaki, myself and a friend decided to take on Fanthams.
Little did I know the challenge that was ahead of me. Fanthams Peak is not for the faint of heart or an inexperienced hiker. There is a challenging scree field to navigate and you are exposed to the elements. Once I reached the peak, there was an incredible cloud-inversion making it all worthwhile. Turns out, the Fanthams Peak track is one of my favourite hikes in New Zealand.
Below, you’ll find all the information you need to hike the Fanthams Peak trail, one of the best things to do in Egmont National Park.
Where is the Fanthams Peak track?
The Fanthams Peak track is in Egmont National Park, home to the magnificent Taranaki Volcano on New Zealand’s North Island. The closest major town is the beautiful New Plymouth, the gateway to Mount Taranaki.
The New Plymouth and Egmont National Park area is on the west coast. It tends to be a little less visited than other areas of the North Island due to its location.
However, Egmont National Park was one of my absolute favourite places to visit on the North Island. With Taranaki looming over the area, it’s an absolutely incredible sight. Taranaki could easily be compared to Mount Fuji in Japan, it’s without a doubt one of the best views in New Zealand.
To get to the start of the Fanthams Peak track, you’ll need to drive into Egmont National Park from New Plymouth. The track begins near the Dawson Falls car park. This is also a freedom camping site for self-contained vehicles.
Overview of the Fanthams Peak / Syme Hut track
Trailhead: The hike starts at the Dawson Falls car park in Egmont National Park
Elevation at Fanthams Peak: 1,966 meters (6,450ft)
Length: 5.2 miles (8.4km) in length – out and back. Elevation change is 1,150m (3772 ft)
Time Taken: 5-8 hours (it took me 7)
Level: Difficult
The Syme Hut sits at the top of this peak. It’s the Department of Conservation’s highest hut on the North Island. You can stay here overnight and watch the sunrise/sunset over the Taranaki volcano.
There are various sections of the Fanthams Peak track which range in difficulty and terrain. Below, I’ve broken down the different parts to the hike.
Dawson Falls car park to Hooker Hut
The trailhead for Fanthams Peak begins at the Dawson Falls car park. The track climbs up through a lush forest. This is by far the easiest part of the track.
This part of the track is known to be flooded so make sure you have suitable footwear. There had been heavy rain before I did the hike so the track was particularly muddy and wet.
After around 40 minutes, you’ll reach Hooker Hut. It’s a little shelter with seats so it’s a good spot to rest before the hard work begins.
Hooker Hut to Kapuni Lodge
The next section is quite short, but it’ll give you your first glimpse of the views you have waiting for you. You’re out of the main forest now but still walking through bush and up steps (yes, more steps!). It’s a bit of a slog up but before you know it, you’ll see a sign for Kapuni Lodge.
Kapuni Lodge is a private hut but you can book online to stay here. It’s a great option if you want to hike Fanthams for sunrise or sunset (not that I’d necessarily advise doing this hike in the dark). If Syme Hut is full, consider staying here.
Fanthams Wooden Staircase
This next part of the hike takes you up 300 wooden steps. It’s the final steps before you reach the scree field. I won’t lie, I found this part of the Fanthams Peak Track very hard. It’s exposed to the elements and very steep.
It took me about 20-minutes to get up all the steps with a few breaks. Once you’ve reached the top of the wooden steps, consider taking a break before taking on the scree field.
It took me about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach this section.
The scree field of Syme Hut/Fanthams Peak
Once you reach the Fanthams scree field, you only have about 500 meters to get to the peak. However, those 500 meters are tough.
It took me about 90-minutes to climb up this scree field. I’ve hiked on scree before, but the scree on the Fanthams Peak track is especially challenging. The best way to describe this type of scree is like walking on marbles on a steep slope. For every step forward, you seem to fall half a step back.
It was so steep at some points that I had to use my hands to crawl up. It gets a little easier towards the end when there are more rocks so it becomes more of a scramble.
For the scree section, there’s no set trail so you’ll need to decide on the best route. There are a few poles to follow so you know you’re going the right way. I think walking poles would help going up, but I’m not sure how much use they would be coming down.
The scree field is no joke. It’s a challenging section of the hike and not something to be taken lightly. If you’re struggling getting up the scree field, it might be worth turning around. Coming down is ten times worse.
The peak and Syme Hut
Once you reach the top of the scree field, you’ll find some of the best views of the Taranaki volcano. You’ll also see Syme Hut which is just below the peak.
There are a few short tracks to explore at the top of the Fanthams Peak track which take you around the area. There was an incredible cloud-inversion when I was there.
Tip: the elevation of Fanthams Peak is 1,966 meters (6,450ft). It can be very cold and windy at the top. Make sure you have plenty of layers.
The descent
For me, going down the scree section was slower than going up. I fell on the scree countless times including quite a bad fall which resulted in a giant bruise.
Coming down the scree field is more of a mental game than anything else. I saw some people running down and getting staight back up after a fall. Where as some people were taking their time and slowly navigating their way down.
The only advice I have here is take your time and do what feels right for you. If running down is better then do that. If taking your time suits you more then go for that.
I’m not sure hiking poles would be any use coming down the scree slope. I saw some people with them but not using them.
How difficult is the Fanthams Peak Track?
The Fanthams Peak track is a strenuous and difficult hike. Despite being relatively short in length, the hike is steep with a large scree field to navigate.
For comparison, the Tongariro Crossing is twice as long in length as the Fanthams Peak hike. Yet hiking Fanthams Peak took me over an hour longer. If you’re confident and experienced with scree, this hike is relatively straightforward. But if you’ve never experienced scree before or are extra cautious (like me), this will be a challenge.
I saw some people running down the scree field without a fear in the world, but others were going slower.
Is Fanthams Peak a safe hike? Well… yes and no. As with all hikes, there is an element of risk involved. The scree field on this particular hike is known to be tricky. There have been deaths in the area, but these are generally people who have attempted to hike Taranaki itself.
Staying in Syme Hut
Syme Hut is at the top of Fanthams Peak and is the North Island’s highest hut. It’s a popular way to experience the Taranaki volcano at sunrise and sunset. Without a doubt, Syme Hut and Fanthams Peak boast the best views of Taranaki.
Syme Hut is a small and simple hut. It can only house 10 hikers and operates on a first come first serve basis.
The costs are as follows:
Adult: $10 NZD
Child: $5 NZD
The Department of Conservation manages the hut. There is an outdoor toilet but no other facilities.
As mentioned above, Kapuni Lodge is another option for camping on Fanthams Peak. It’s still around a 2-hour hike from the peak though.
Tips for hiking the Fanthams Peak track
Here are a few tips for hiking the Fanthams Peak track:
- Check the weather: the weather in these mountains can quickly change. Check the weather before you leave and constantly reassess. The scree section is already difficult, and doing it in poor weather is even more hazardous.
- Stick to the summer months: stick to hiking this route from November-April when there is less likely to be snow or ice on the peak. Fanthams Peak is not accessible in the winter months as snow covers the track.
- Start early: start the hike as early as you can. The later it gets the colder it gets. You don’t want to be coming down the scree in the dark.
- Pack accordingly: make sure to take plenty of water, food and layers. It’s cold at the top and you don’t want to be cold coming down. The hike could take you 7/8 hours, so have enough food and water. I suggest also carrying in electrolytes to help you stay hydrated.
- The toilets: there’s a toilet at Syme Hut on the peak, but otherwise there are no toilets on the route other than at the car park.
- Download the map: download an offline version of the map using AllTrails.
- Split the hike in two: you can pre-book a bed in Syme Hut which allows you to hike up, sleep at the top, and then hike down the following day.
- Tell someone: if you’re planning to hike solo, make sure you’ve let someone know where you’re going.
Note: take your safety seriously when hiking Fanthams Peak. This is one of the most challenging hikes I have ever done. On the same day, someone died attempting to hike the nearby scree field of Taranaki.
Where to stay in Egmont National Park
Fanthams Peak lies in Egmont National Park on the North Island’s west coast. New Plymouth is the gateway town to this incredible national park.
Thankfully, the parking lot for Fanthams Peak is also a freedom campsite for self-contained campervans. This means you can park here overnight providing your vehicle is self-contained. Camping at the trailhead makes it easy to set off early the next day.
If you don’t have a self-contained vehicle, you’ll find the most accommodation is the nearby New Plymouth.
For a bit of luxury, consider the Kings and Queen Hotel Suites which have units with kitchenettes. The State Hotel is another luxury option.
For budget accommodation, consider Ariki Backpackers or 16 Havelock.
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