At 684m, Patuha is the highest peak in the Kaitake Range just to the NW of Pouakai in Taranaki. The quickest way up is from Lucy's Gully on the NW side. At the road end, you are presented with the unusual situation of a choice of two tracks beginning side by side up, both being the same distance. They actually join 2/3rds of the way up to provide a loop of sorts. Don't get confused at the start like I was - both of these tracks start together at the point on the map where the Waimoku track starts. The road does not continue up further as depicted on the topo maps. I went up the Sefton and back down the Waimoku which worked well. Both tracks are good and quite dry - much better than Pouakai. After they join up, the track gets muddier (but not too bad), and you are faced with an exciting steep rock scramble right at the very top which is very reminiscent of the one on the Dover track of Pouakai. Simple to do, but possibly a bit unnerving if you don't have a head for heights (but...you are a peak bagger aren't you!?)
It's sign posted at 2.5 hours up, although it took me just over an hour. Fantastic 360 degree views from the trig looking out over Pouakai and Taranaki one way, right round to Ruapehu, with great views along the coast close by. This has all the right ingredients of being easily accessible, with a good walk up to a trig on a nice pointy peak with great views all around.
