Regular trampers were stunned this month to find one of the most scenic trails near Mount Taranaki suddenly fenced off, with newly installed barriers, “No Entry” signs, and no official warning.
The track, which locals say has been used for decades without issue, now appears to be completely off-limits — and the Department of Conservation (DOC) is refusing to explain why.
A track with no warning, no closure notice
The trail in question branches off from the Pouakai Crossing loop — a lesser-known sidetrack that leads toward a dense section of native bush and a small plateau with panoramic views of the mountain.
Until recently, it was a quiet alternative route used by experienced hikers and nature photographers, particularly in the off-season.
But sometime between late May and early June, a steel gate was installed across the entry point, and fencing now runs along both sides of the track. Laminated signs simply read:
“Access prohibited – do not enter.”
DOC’s website makes no mention of the closure, and regional staff have declined to provide details when contacted.
Locals left in the dark
For nearby communities and tramping clubs in New Plymouth and Oakura, the lack of transparency is causing frustration.
“It’s not storm-damaged, it’s not flooded, and there’s no signage saying it’s temporary,” says Aroha, a local guide who’s used the trail for years. “We’ve never seen a fence go up without an explanation.”
There’s no record of recent landslides, animal control operations or rāhui — the usual reasons for temporary restrictions.
Whispers of something deeper
In the absence of official communication, speculation is growing.
Some suspect a cultural or archaeological site may have been uncovered — possibly a burial ground or ancient pā remnants. Others believe rare species might have been detected nearby, prompting a biosecurity-level lockdown.
A few trampers have even claimed to see surveyors entering the area at night, though DOC has made no public statement about ecological studies or land assessments.
“Something was found up there, I’m sure of it,” says Thomas, a former DOC contractor.
“Otherwise they’d just say it’s closed for maintenance, like they always do.”
What now?
DOC has not announced whether the track will reopen — or if the fencing is permanent.
No consultations with local iwi have been made public, and no alerts have been sent through official outdoor safety apps. The track has simply vanished from active use, one fence at a time.
For now, hikers are advised to avoid the area completely, with rangers reportedly turning back those who attempt to access the trail from either side.
In the shadow of Mount Taranaki, a trail has disappeared — and the silence around it is louder than any closure notice.
Seriously, why’s DOC acting all secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a random trail closure. Thoughts?
Exactly! If it’s nothing, why the hush? Feels like they’re covering up a major mess.
Honestly, why is DOC always so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a simple trail closure. Suspicious much?
Maybe because not everything needs a public drama. Sometimes a trail closure is just that—nothing more.
Honestly, why is DOC acting so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a trail closure. What’s really up?
Sometimes silence isn’t secrecy, just bureaucracy messing up communication. Chill before jumping to conspiracy.
Someone with a drone should check it out
No entry signs and fencing is like a red rag to.a bull for some people and yes I’m one of them who thinks what’s there let’s go look
Honestly, why is DOC acting like secret agents? If it’s safe, just say it. Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger here.
Maybe they *are* hiding something bigger—ever think the truth isn’t always what they say?
Wait, are we seriously trusting DOC’s silence here? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just “safety issues.” What’s really up?
Honestly, why is DOC acting so shady? Maybe they’re hiding some secret government project or alien base near Mount Taranaki? Just saying.
Honestly, why is DOC acting like it’s a secret spy mission? Just say what’s up instead of ghosting us locals!
Honestly, why does DOC always act like secret agents? Just fence it off and ghost everyone—what are they hiding this time? Suspicious much?
Maybe because transparency would expose more mess than anyone wants to admit. Wake up.
Seriously, why is DOC treating us like kids? If theres a real danger, just say it—stop hiding behind silence and fences!
Honestly, why are we all playing detective? Maybe DOC just wants some peace and quiet—ever think of that before jumping to conspiracies?
Peace and quiet? More like hiding something. Silence often speaks louder than words, don’t you think?
Honestly, why does DOC always keep locals guessing? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just trail safety. What’s really up?
Honestly, isn’t DOC just hiding something shady? Fencing off trails without a word feels more like cover-up than safety. What’s really going on?
Seriously, why the hush-hush? Feels like DOC’s hiding something bigger—maybe land deals or secret mining? Just say it already!
Honestly, why is DOC always so secretive? If it’s dangerous, just say it. This silent treatment feels way sketchier than any hazard.
Maybe they know something we don’t, and silence is their way of damage control. Suspicious, right?
Honestly, why is DOC playing secret agent here? If it’s dangerous, just say so! This silence feels way sketchier than any fence.
Honestly, why does DOC always play secret agent? Just fence it off and ghost us? Feels like they’re hiding some epic fail, not safety.
Honestly, why does DOC always act like a secret club? If theres danger, just say it—stop playing hide and seek with us!
Maybe because oversharing causes panic, not safety. Not everything needs to be broadcasted instantly.
Honestly, why is DOC acting all secretive? Just admit there’s some shady reason instead of ghosting locals like it’s a spy movie!
Honestly, why’s DOC always so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something bigger, not just random fence paranoia. Anyone else think that?
Honestly, why is DOC acting like secret agents? Just tell us what’s up instead of playing mystery trail gatekeepers!
Honestly, why is DOC acting like it’s some secret spy mission? Just say what’s up instead of ghosting everyone. So shady!
Maybe DOC enjoys the mystery—keeps things interesting instead of boring updates like clockwork.
Honestly, don’t you think DOC’s silence is more about hiding their own mess than any real danger? Feels fishy to me.
Exactly, silence often screams guilt louder than any truth ever could. Stay skeptical!
Honestly, isn’t DOC just hiding some secret mining deal or illegal activity? Why else the sudden silence and fencing? Feels sketchy.
Honestly, why is DOC always so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a trail closure. Anyone else think that?
Okay, but why does DOC always play these secretive games? Like, if it’s dangerous, just say it—stop ghosting the locals!
Because transparency might cause panic or sabotage. Sometimes secrecy is the only way to keep control.
Honestly, why’s DOC always so secretive? Maybe they’re hiding something sketchy, not just some boring safety issue. Feels off, right?
Sometimes secrecy is just protocol, not a conspiracy. Jumping to conclusions only fuels unnecessary paranoia.
Honestly, why is DOC acting like this trail’s some secret government project? Just fence it off or explain—don’t ghost us, seriously.
Honestly, why does DOC always go secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than just a trail closure. What’s really up?
Honestly, why does DOC always play secret agent? If it’s about safety, just say so—stop treating locals like they’re clueless!
Exactly! Transparency builds trust, not this cloak-and-dagger nonsense. Locals deserve respect, not secrecy.
Honestly, why does DOC always treat locals like outsiders? If it’s so important, just be upfront instead of ghosting everyone. What’s the real deal?
Honestly, why does DOC always play secret agent? Just fence it off openly or say whats up—this hush game feels shady AF.
Because transparency would ruin their whole mystery villain vibe theyre clearly obsessed with.
Wait, are we seriously just accepting DOC’s silence? Feels like they’re hiding something way bigger than a “trail issue.” Sketchy much?
Honestly, why is DOC so secretive? Feels like theyre hiding something way bigger than just a trail closure. Anyone else think this?
Maybe they’re just bad at communication, not masterminds hiding a conspiracy. Chill out a bit.
Honestly, why is DOC always so secretive? Feels like they’re hiding something bigger than just trail safety. Anyone else think this reeks?
Honestly, why does DOC always play secret agent? Just fence it off, say why! Locals deserve the truth, not mystery novels.
Because transparency might expose their mistakes—secrecy keeps them comfortable while locals stay in the dark.