Tramping activities in Tongariro National Park
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Tongariro Northern Circuit
Classed as one of NZ’s Great Walks, the Northern Circuit circumnavigates Ngauruhoe and affords spectacular views all around, particularly of Mt Tongariro. As a circuit, there are several start and finish points, including Whakapapa Village, Ketetahi Rd and Desert Rd. The walk covers the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Highlights of the circuit include tramping through or past several volcanic craters, including the South Crater, Central Crater and Red Crater; brilliantly colourful volcanic lakes, including the Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake and the Upper and Lower Tama Lakes; the cold Soda Springs; and various other volcanic formations, including cones, lava flows and…
reviewed
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Reputedly the best one-day walk in NZ, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing traverses spectacular volcanic geography, from an active crater to steaming vents and beautiful coloured lakes. And the views aren’t bad either. The track passes through vegetation zones ranging from alpine scrub and tussock to places at higher altitudes where there is no vegetation at all, to the lush podocarp forest as you descend from Ketetahi Hut towards the end of the track. It covers the most spectacular features of the Tongariro Northern Circuit between the Mangatepopo and Ketetahi Huts.
Although achievable in one day, the Crossing is exhausting and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Weather…
reviewed
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Round the Mountain Track
This off-the-beaten-track hike is a quieter alternative to the busy Northern Circuit, but it’s particularly tough, has some potentially tricky river crossings, and is not recommended for beginners or the unprepared. Looping around Mt Ruapehu, the trail takes in a diversity of country, from glacial rivers to tussocky moors to majestic mountain views. You should allow at least four days to complete the hike, with six days a realistic estimate if you’re including side trips to the Blyth Hut or Tama Lakes.
You can get to the Round the Mountain trail from Whakapapa Village, the junction near Waihohonu Hut, Ohakune Mountain Rd, or Whakapapaiti Hut. Most trampers start at…
reviewed
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Crater Lake
The unmarked rugged route up to Ruapehu’s Crater Lake (seven hours return) is a good one, allowing you to see the acidic lake up close, but this walk is strictly off limits when there’s volcanic activity. This moderate-to-difficult walk begins at Iwikau Village at the top of the Bruce Rd. You can cut three hours off it by catching the chairlift from Whakapapa Ski Area. Guided walks to Crater Lake run from mid-December to mid-April, weather dependent. Like most of the walks in Tongariro, you’ll need to check conditions before heading out and don’t attempt it in winter unless you’re a mountaineer.
reviewed
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Taranaki Falls Track
A two-hour, 6km loop track heads from Whakapapa to the 20m Taranaki Falls on the Wairere Stream.
reviewed
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Tama Lakes Track
Starting at Whakapapa Village, this 17km track leads to the Tama Lakes, on the Tama Saddle between Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe (five to six hours return). The upper lake affords fine views of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro (beware of winds on the saddle).
reviewed
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Silica Rapids Track
From Whakapapa Village this 2½-hour, 7km loop track leads to the Silica Rapids, named for the silica mineral deposits formed there by rapids on the Waikare Stream.
reviewed
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Ridge Track
A 30-minute return walk from Whakapapa that climbs through beech forest to alpine-shrub areas for views of all three peaks.
reviewed