"The Pouakai summit was part of a 3 day 2 night hike we did with 2 adults and 4 kids (aged 9-11). Day 1 We headed to the Holly hut via the holly hut track which took 4hrs 5mins in the rain where we had a late lunch and took the 20min hike to the Bell falls to get the last of the kids energy out of them for the day. We stayed at the Holly hut for 2 nights Day 2 we headed for the Pouakai summit, again in the rain with poor visibility but the swamp board walk made a quick start for the day followed by plenty of stairs and clambering up the mountain. There was still time for the kids to go back to the falls so half of us stayed and dried out by the Hut fireplace and the other half went to the falls. Day 3 We headed home along the Holly hut track again which took 4 hours almost on the dot. The Holly hut track was a good level for the kids with enough up hill to challenge them and enough technical parts of the track (crossing slips and small streams) to feel challenged but not overwhelmed. Unfortunately, the Pouakai Hut and campsite is currently undergoing repairs otherwise we would have attempted the circuit with the kids. While the rain wasn't what we ordered it was a warm rain an..." — loganscott • Dec 23, 2024

"My son(10yrs) and I climbed up the Northern summit route heading off early in the morning 6.15am and summiting by Noon. We took longer than expect to descend but made it home by 6pm to the Camphouse hut which has hot showers and a full kitchen. The day wasn't without drama as a rock fall caused by some descending climbers sent rocks hurtling past us, the weather was pretty good but the wind would occasionally gust with a cold misty feel that had us pulling out layers of clothing only to take them back off when out of the wind or the sun came out. There were approx 40 climbers that day." — loganscott • Dec 28, 2023

"Travelled from Pouakai hut to North Egmont on Kaiauai track, initially gale force winds and low visibility. We were relatively sheltered from the wind on the way up Henry, but very exposed on the way down until back below bushline. " — jojo11 • Apr 25, 2023

"I climbed this as part of the Pouakai circuit going clockwise, I picked the best day of the week for the climb which not only made it safe but the views were fantastic well worth watching the weather forecast. The circuit is 25.5km plus I added the Bells falls which is a 3km there and back tack on and chose to walk the Rams track instead of the road that the circuit suggest as the road is narrow and busy. You could do this with the family stopping at the 2 huts along the way taking 2 or 3 days and exploring the area, its will still be a hard climb but it allows plenty of time. I was on a time limit and decided to do it in a day, it was 9hrs with small stops to enjoy the vista. Doing the circuit clockwise allowed for great views in the morning a the shade of the forest in the afternoon. There are many challenging climbs, the trip to Bells Falls was steep up an down trip and The Henry almost broke me later on in the journey not just the climb but the decent goes on forever. Overall this is a must do trip however you do it and there is many more walks that will fill you with appreciation of the land we live in. " — loganscott • Jan 6, 2021

"Climbed this with my 72yr old father and my 7yr old son. It is a steep but fun little walk, the bottom half is stairs and the top half is chains and a well worn rocky track. Takes all of 10mins to the top even with stops but it pays to watch your step especially on the way down." — loganscott • Jan 5, 2021