Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Great Walks > Tongariro Northern Circuit

Tongariro Northern Circuit

Location

Tongariro National Park is located in the central North Island of New Zealand. The nearest towns are Turangi, National Park and Ohakune.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit can be accessed from the following roadends:

FROM WHAKAPAPA VILLAGE.

There are carparks in the village. It is approximately a three (up to five in bad weather) hour walk to Mangatepopo Hut or five to six hours to Waihohonu Hut.

MANGATEPOPO ROAD.

From the carpark at the Mangatepopo roadend, it is approximately a 30 minute walk to Mangatepopo Hut.

KETETAHI ROAD.

From Ketetahi roadend carpark it is approximately a two to three hour walk to Ketetahi Hut. The track winds up through podocarp forest continuing up to the hut through red and silver tussock country.

DESERT ROAD

There is a carpark just off the Desert Road. It is approximately one and a half hours to Waihohonu Hut. From SH1 the track crosses tussock and shrubland. Much of the vegetation near the first part of the track was destroyed or damaged during a large fire in November 1988. Although recovering well, blackened stems and branches can still be seen.The track, built upon volcanic material, is fragile and easily eroded. The track enters shady beech forest near the Ohinepango Stream, part of Te Mako Bush. Past the stream the track re-enters tussock and shrubland where there are good views of Ruapehu. Just before the hut the track joins the Round the Mountain Track. The Waihohonu Hut is 10 minutes from this junction.

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TRACK.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit connects with the Round the Mountain Track at two points – Whakapapa Village and Waihohonu.

Description

This walk passes through unique and stunning landforms which include volcanic craters and glacial valleys. The Tongariro Northern Circuit is considered a challenging tramp, largely on open exposed terrain, much of it on uneven track surface. It can be subject to sudden rapid weather change. You should be at least moderately fit. The safest and most popular time of year to walk the Tongariro Northern Circuit is during the summer months (December to March) when the tracks are normally clear of snow and the weather is less severe. Make sure you have good warm clothing, waterproof and windproof parka, leggings, comfortable well constructed hiking boots, hat and 30+ sunscreen. Jeans are not recommended! There is rain water for drinking at the huts. Gas heating is available. You need to take cooking pot, utensils, sleeping bag, food and toilet paper. These huts cost $20 per night. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged.

WHAKAPAPA TO MANGATEPOPO HUT

Time: 3 hr

MANGATEPOPO HUT TO EMERALD LAKE
Time: 3 hr 30 min

EMERALD LAKES TO KETETAHI GUT
Time: 1 hr 30 min

TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING (to complete)

From Ketetahi Hut the track continues for about two hours down through tussock and podocarp forest to the Ketetahi carpark. The Ketetahi Springs are on private land. Walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing does not convey any right of access to the Springs.

EMERALD LAKE TO OTURERE HUT
Time: 1 hr 30 min

OTURERE HUT TO WAIHOHONU HUT
Time: 2 hr 30 min

WAIHOHONU HUT TO WHAKAPAPA VILLAGE
Time: 5 hr 30 min

Level

Medium

Amenities

• Birds
• Carpark
• Historical
• Huts
• Plant Life
• Toilets
• Tramping

Source

www.doc.govt.nz

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