What a experience!!! It’s all the time so step. We needed round 2h 45mins to the hut. If u want to stay overnight make sure u will arrive early in the hut. We were there at 12pm and like 2pm every bed was gone. Some people slept on the floor. Bring enough clothes so u can get change after hiking and there is also no heat in the hut. The Sunset was amazing and the sunrise was so cloudy. We have done quiet a few hikes but this one was hard.

This walk is incredible, beautiful but difficult. You only walk 5.5km to the hut, but in that time you gain 1050m altitude. Be prepared for around 3300 that covers 3/4 of the walk, but the last 1/4 on the loose gravel will take almost as long as the first 3/4 of the walk. We went up in low visibility which I do not recommend unless you have some experience with tramping! It took us around 2.75hrs to get up. The most important thing on the way down is take you time on the loose gravel. In the 2 hrs it took to get down, 1hr was dedicated to taking our time to not hurt ourselves, you will be fine if you do this as I am clumsy and have come out untouched. The hut itself is beautiful and the view is worth every step. However please note the hut is NOT heated and although we went at the end of spring, the temperature was in the negatives overnight. Prepare to bring layers and good sleeping bags. I definitely recommend this walk if you have a spare day, you don’t have to be super fit, just understand your own limits and turn around if need be. Otherwise, be safe and enjoy this stunner spot!!!!

Please take Mount Taranaki seriously! I went up there at 3.00pm and made it to the Syme hut at 5.30pm just before the sun went down. The last 1/3 of the hike is very steep with lose gravel so it's hard to find any grip. The weather got really crazy up there! I had a baselayer, midlayer and a wind and rain proof jacket + emergency-ponyo on and was soaked in 1 minute after I left the hut the next morning! I was walking back down literally through the clouds with strong, cold wind and rain pushing me over my limits. I fell several times because the coldness made my legs numb and tired, riped my pants therefore. My shoes had to dry 5 days! I don't even want to imagine how it was at the peak.. Conclusion: even if you check for the weather forecast, the mountains are unpredictable. Rain started at 5am instead of the predicted 6pm - suprise mofu?

Great! One of the hottest hikes in New Zeland, indeed the part until the end of the marches is tiring but feasible by all (subject to good physical condition). The last part is very steep, difficult to access and recommendable only to people who are used to hiking and loving it. Advise to do it only if the weather is clear. The view at the top is beautiful facing the snowy mt taranaki. I strongly recommend the use of walking stick (I would have liked to have!)

A fantastic hike. First of all, the sign at the Dawson Falls visitor centre WARNS you of how difficult the trek is. There are also at least 3 signs along the way that warn you to stop if the weather turns sideways and to make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Just from reading the sign at the visitor centre you are able to see how difficult the hike is by looking at the km distance one way, the elevation, and the proposed tramping time. The section after the stairs (on the gravel) CAN be completed without poles, but should be done by someone with lots of hiking experience. If you take YOUR time, walk smartly, adequately fit, and are prepared, then the hike is for you. I would definitely not run on this track, as this is not a place for trail running... The view of the summit from Smye Hut is astonishing, as well as the 360 views of NP and surrounding areas.

We climbed from 5:30am We saw very beautiful sunrise on the way to the summit. Highly recommend start from early morning. But after steps, it’s very steep. Going down is more difficult than going up. If you don’t train often, your muscle would cry for more than 3 days. However it’s still worth it. Choose clear day!!!

Very difficult hike and not suitable for beginners (like me). From the stairs it is only uphill steep on the gravel slope. When I run down I fell several times, because there is no stopping on the small stones. You need sticks and gloves. Unfortunately it was cloudy on the top. Overall (back and forth) I was traveling from 9 to 16 oclock. I would not have made the trek if I had known how difficult and dangerous it is. But there were also experienced hikers who were very enthusiastic.

In ice and snow conditions its not safe without ice axe and crampons and alpine experience - if you're not prepared this peak can be seriously dangerous

Easiest part of this walk are the steps (3311 to the top) and than you need to climb up a very step gravel part, really difficult if you are afraid of heights It took us 3 hours to get to the top, you will face ice and show so be prepared for the cold! The view is amazing and Mt Taranaki is directly next to you :)

Very cool but exhausting walk. Many steps and if it has rained there are many big puddles.