A Trip to Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park, located in the center of the North Island, is New Zealand's first national park, having been declared a national park back in 1887. In 1990, the park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its volcanic and geological phenomena, and because it is an important spiritual and cultural area for the Māori. The park is active year-round – in the summer it is a hiking hub, and in the winter a ski resort.
The park contains three main volcanoes – Mount Tongariro, after which the park is named, rising to an elevation of 1,978 meters; Mount Ngauruhoe, at 2,291 meters, recognized as Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings movies; and Mount Ruapehu, the tallest of them, at 2,797 meters.
The park is still volcanically active, and Mount Tongariro last erupted in 2012.
The park features several hiking trails, the most famous of which are the day-long Tongariro Crossing trek and the Tongariro Northern Circuit which takes 3–4 days.
In addition to the long routes, there are several short walking tracks in the park departing from the park's visitor center area in Whakapapa Village.
♦ Round-trip shuttle from Turangi for the Tongariro Crossing hike (from Viator):
Mount Ruapehu:
Accommodations in the Area
It is especially recommended to stay at Tongariro Holiday Park - a holiday park located between the starting point and ending point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trek. The park has 17 rooms, some with shared bathrooms, designed for 2–6 guests. Each room features a balcony or patio. The park has a hot tub and barbecue facilities.
The closest major town to the park is Taupo. The town is located about an hour and twenty minutes from the park entrance, and many companies offer shuttle services from it to the park and back. The town features a wide variety of accommodations of all kinds.
A more convenient base for setting out to explore the park, especially considering the long hiking trails, is National Park Village. This is a small village located 20 minutes away by car from the park entrance, offering several places to stay. From here, too, you can easily find transport to the park and back from any of the accommodations in the village.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Trek
The Tongariro Crossing is the most popular trek in the park, ranked number one among all day walks in New Zealand.
The track is 19.4 km long and takes about 8–9 hours of walking.
Please note, this is a one-way track – therefore it is recommended to book transport from your accommodation to the start of the trail, and from the end of the trail back to it. Alternatively, if you are a group of travelers with two vehicles, you can leave one car at the end point, though this is less recommended due to car break-ins that have occurred there. Pay attention to the return shuttle schedules and do not delay too long so you do not miss your ride.
The route is rightly considered the most scenic day trek in New Zealand. In a single day you will climb stunning volcanoes, pass by magnificent lagoons and pools, and overlook gorgeous lakes.
However, this is not an easy track – it includes an ascent of over 700 meters in elevation, followed by a descent of about 1,000 meters. But if you are in good enough shape, do not miss this trek.
The track is divided into six sections:
Mangatepopo Valley to Soda Springs
A section of about an hour to an hour and a half of walking. It begins at the car park and ascends relatively moderately to the golden springs, which contain various minerals resulting from the volcanic activity in the area.
Soda Springs to South Crater
A difficult climbing section that takes about an hour, also known as the Devil's Staircase.
In this section, you ascend to an elevation of 1,600 meters to the base of Mount Ngauruhoe. If the weather is clear, you will enjoy impressive views of it. From the end of this section, a side trail of about 3 hours leads to the summit of the mountain – not recommended on a day hike. If you choose to do it, stay overnight in one of the huts along the route.
Devil's Staircase:
South Crater to Red Crater
A relatively flat section of about an hour's walk. At its end, you reach the base of Mount Tongariro and the Red Crater. The area has a scent of sulfur, an indication of the volcanic activity that still exists in the crater. This is the highest point along the track, at an elevation of 1,886 meters above sea level. From here, another side trail of about an hour and a half departs to the summit of Mount Tongariro.
Mount Ngauruhoe:
Red Crater to Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake
A section of about half an hour, considered one of the most beautiful parts of the trail if you are lucky enough to reach it in clear weather. This is a moderate descent passing several beautiful turquoise lagoons, which got their color (and smell) from the minerals within them. After these lagoons, the trail intersects with the circuit track described below and continues to Blue Lake – a cold, acidic lake considered sacred by the Māori.
One of the Emerald Lakes, in the fog:
Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut
A moderate section of about an hour's walk, starting with a short climb to the North Crater. From here, if the weather is clear, you will get a magnificent view of Lake Rotoaira and even Lake Taupo. Afterward, you descend to Ketetahi Hut, one of four overnight huts in the area. Note that the descent here is not easy, and it is easy to slip on the loose dirt trail.
Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo:
Ketetahi Hut to the Car Park
The final section of the trail is a long descent of about two hours from the hut down to the car park. Along the way, you pass several steam vents rising from the ground due to the thermal activity in the area.
Steam rising from the ground on the way down the mountain:
Tongariro Northern Circuit Track
The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a longer trek that extends the day walk. It is one of the nine Great Walks – the premier multi-day tracks managed by the DOC.
The trek begins by circling Mount Ngauruhoe, and in its second part connects to the Tongariro Crossing.
It takes between 3 to 4 days, depending on the walking pace you choose. There are four huts along the way equipped with mattresses, heating, toilets, and running water. Huts must be booked in advance through the DOC via their website or at one of the visitor centers.
It is recommended to undertake this track only during the summer months and to verify beforehand that the weather conditions are suitable.
The route is mainly recommended for trekking enthusiasts and those who want to add one of the side summit tracks to Mount Tongariro or Mount Ngauruhoe to their journey, which add several extra hours and are difficult to combine within the day walk. However, most hikers settle for the day trek, as it features the highlights of the circuit.
Weather
The optimal season for hiking in the park is summer, from December through March. Nevertheless, the weather here is very unpredictable and changeable. Prepare for all weather conditions – the hike takes place at high altitudes, and conditions can shift rapidly. A day that begins sunny can quickly become foggy and rainy, only to finish again under clear blue skies.
It is essential to be prepared for any weather during the hike! Bring warm layers and rain gear, and always check the local weather forecast before heading out.
In winter, the area is cold and snow-covered, making trekking impossible. During this time, it serves as a popular ski destination with multiple downhill runs.
Fog in the park on a day that started with blue skies:
