Around the Mountain Circuit (AMC) offers you spectacular bush and alpine scenery. It is best tramped from October to April. It is a challenging track that passes through forest, rivers and spectacular alpine scenery. High and low level options exist for some sections, with higher level options recommended for their scenery. In winter conditions, high level tracks may be impassable due to snow. Lower level tracks are prone to tree windfalls and can be overgrown at times.
The track is suitable for experienced trampers with backcountry experience and good navigation skills. You'll need to look carefully for track markers/poles in some places. Be prepared to backtrack in order to reorientate yourself. A good topographic map is essential for navigation.
Many streams are unbridged and can become impassable after heavy rain.
There are a number of short walks from the Te Papakura o Taranaki Visitor Centre (Just a 30 minute drive from New Plymouth)