Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to Tongariro National Park in New Zealand
For most Chinese people, New Zealand is more about checking off a travel destination, but for enthusiasts who want to experience true adventure, hiking in Tongariro National Park is highly recommended, usually during the summer.
There are two routes: the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Northern Circuit typically takes 3-4 days. This route is generally chosen by foreign enthusiasts as it is quite challenging and not very suitable for those with limited time.
Most people choose the one-day Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC), which is part of the Northern Circuit. This route offers diverse scenery and moderate difficulty, making it suitable for most people. In winter, the weather on the mountain is worse, and the roads are more dangerous, so it is not recommended to come here in winter.
Basic Information of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Length: 19.4 kilometers
Duration: 6-8 hours
Route:
1. Mangatepopo Valley – Soda Springs, Duration: 1-1.5 hours, Difficulty: Easy
2. Soda Springs – South Crater, Duration: 40 minutes – 1 hour, Difficulty: Moderate
3. South Crater – Red Crater, Duration: 1 hour, Difficulty: Moderate
4.
Red Crater – Blue Lake, Duration: 0.5 hour, Difficulty: Moderate
5. Blue Lake – Ketetahi Hut, Duration: 1 hour, Difficulty: Moderate
6. Ketetahi Hut – Ketetahi Carpark, Duration: 2 hours, Difficulty: Moderate
Toilets: There are five locations marked on the map: Mangatepopo Rd car park, Mangatepopo Hut, Soda Springs, Ketetahi, and Ketetahi Carpark.
Water sources: There are none along the way, so bring enough drinking water and snacks (it is recommended to have at least 2 bottles of water per person)!
There are signs along the way, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. There are many hikers, so you won’t feel alone even if you’re hiking solo.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing covers approximately 19.4 km, passing through the active volcanoes of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. The area is rich in geothermal resources, with hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, and boiling mud pools scattered throughout. You will also see volcanic craters of different colors and shapes, with a landscape similar to that of the moon.
Note that this is not a loop trail. If you are driving, it is suggested to arrange for friends who are not up for the hike to drive to the endpoint car park to pick you up, or to park your car in Whakapapa Village or National Park Village and take a shuttle to the start and end points. If you hire a driver, they can pick you up directly at the endpoint.
Shuttle buses depart in the morning at 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, and 9:00 am, heading to the starting point at Mangatepopo Rd car park.
In the afternoon, shuttles leave at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:00 pm (exact times may vary, check with the lodge) from the endpoint at Ketetahi Rd car park, so make sure to manage your time well and don’t miss the last bus.
