When I moved home in December 2018, I wanted to start walking and since then, I’ve walked some pretty lovely tracks around New Zealand. During my pregnancy I walked a lot…and I mean A LOT! On my wish list was the Tongariro Crossing but that was out the question so I went for an easier option in the Central Plateau; the Taranaki Falls Track and I wasn’t disappointed.
I actually walked the Taranaki Falls Track by myself as Baby Daddy walked from Whakapapa to the Desert Road…leaving the hotel, rustic and simple (not enough pillows for a pregnant woman unfortunately…haha!).
^^and yes our baby was pretty low here…at my birth talk a week later, the obstetrician thought I would have delivered the baby over this weekend.
I started with the lower track first…and I’m glad I did as there are some big stairs which I’m glad I climbed up rather than down. The weather was pretty misty but made the landscape look magical…
…there were only a few crazy people on the Taranaki Falls Track due to the weather and of course the lack of international tourists…(and one crazy pregnant woman with wet hair!)…
…a silver lining to covid, the walking tracks are empty.
Seeing the sign for the Chateau, I made a decision right there and then that when I finished the hike, I would have a meal at the Chateau…they do afternoon tea there however I didn’t have the forethought to book in advance.
The landscape changes quite a bit on this walk…it feels like one minute you’re walking through the Scottish Highlands…
…then into a magical forest….
…climb some stairs…
…back to the Scottish Highlands without the need of leaving good ol’ New Zealand…
…looking back I could hear voices…they didn’t catch me…
…that’s the Chateau in the distance….returning to a magical forest with fairies…
…it felt like something out of the Lord of the Rings movies.
^^Does this look like a crocodile to you?? or maybe a hippo?
I super duper loved the changing scenery…
…this is my favourite area in New Zealand…the landscape is just so diverse…
…the Taranaki Falls Track is very easy to navigate…even with a lack of direction like myself, you can’t get lost!
I was back into that glorious fairy forest with a river running beside me…
…does anyone else love how soft their skin feels after walking in the New Zealand bush?
I’m a pretty clumsy person and even I was able to navigate a few tree roots…well maybe more that a few here and there…
…and with my huge baby bump.
Can you tell I love New Zealand and walking in our beautiful country…
…just look at this plant…love the shape!
The path got a little rocky…literally…
….there were rocks and smooth rocks…I found this quite cute and gave myself a rather large high five for not falling over. I took the Baby Daddy on this walk when we finally got him a visa to return to New Zealand for the birth of our child…I fell into the water when crossing the stream…doh!
The track does gradually climb but nothing that is too strenuous…
…there are some impressive vantage points along the climb and the stairs are pretty easy…
…at this point, I had seen nobody coming in the opposite direction on the track…so I just enjoyed the peace and quiet…rambling to myself and Bubba about all the fun walks we would do in the future….
…even though it was late October, the colours reminded me of autumn when it was actually our spring.
…how clear is that water?
It was around this point that I started to meet people walking the Taranaki Falls Track in the opposite direction…they were shocked to see a heavily pregnant woman walking in the rain.
^^ Sassy feet! No puffy pregnant feet here folks…walking kept the puffiness at bay.
It wasn’t far to the waterfall as you can hear it in the distance…
…and also a number of people gathering to admire the view…
…which was quite wonderful if I’m honest…
…can you see the tiny ants on top of the waterfall…
…it would be rude not to stop and take a selfie in front of the waterfall.
As I was leaving the Falls, I bumped into a teacher from my old high school…only in New Zealand would this happen…
…we had a chat for quite some time…he actually grew up on the same road as me…New Zealand is a blooming village!
There are great vantage points from different spots so sit back and relax…
…and enjoy the waterfall…
…until you need a wee which I did…
…yes I used the long drop…when a pregnant mama needs to pee, she needs to pee!
The walk back took less than an hour…
…even stopping to field all the questions on how much longer I had to go…I really should have printed a sign and pinned it to my jacket…
…it didn’t annoy me, even when a man asked me if I intended to give birth on the track…I asked him if he was going to do the same…
…stupid question but then again, I knew what my body was capable of doing and I went for it…I also took no risks on this walk unlike others who were wearing jandals or no rain coat and looking freezing!
You’ll walk over an Edge of Lava Flow…once again, I didn’t fall…
…I didn’t fall at all…check me out! I actually didn’t feel too off balance my whole pregnancy…I think I’m just naturally off balance so there was really no change.
Heading back…the walk down was pleasant…I felt rather refreshed from the rain…
…a walk in the rain is good for the soul!
I can confirm the Taranaki Falls Track is a great 2 hour walk in the Central Plateau area…beauty scenery and at 35.5 weeks pregnant, I didn’t think it was too strenuous.
Travel Tips for the Taranaki Falls Track
- Make sure you are prepared for all the elements; rain, sunshine and wind. Part of the track is quite open so be prepared to get burnt or very wet.
- Take water with you as there is no water available on the track.
- I highly recommend this brand of shoes for walking, this is my yellow rain coat that I’ve had for a few years and I swear by these leggings for walking (or any exercise) especially if you’re pregnant.
- There is a long drop toilet at the top of the falls, remember to take your on hand wash.
- I stayed at this hotel at Whakapapa Village
- You could book yourself in for High Tea at The Chateau since you’ve walked off all those calories.
- The track took me less than 2 hours to do; I stopped to talk to people, take photos and admire the view
- If you are going to do long walks during your pregnancy, please get medical advice beforehand. I had a high risk pregnancy however I did long walks throughout my pregnancy which really benefited me long term.
xx
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