Explore Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Best Hiking Tips & Travel Guide

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s first national park, is renowned for its iconic hiking trail, which is not only the most famous in the country but also ranks among the top ten best day hikes globally.

🚗: Rising before 5 AM, we quickly freshened up and embarked on a scenic drive with a colleague, taking just over an hour from Taupo to reach the Tongariro National Park endpoint parking lot. The inner parking area offers free parking for up to four hours, while roadside parking is entirely free. For those who prefer, a shuttle bus can be booked on the official website (costing around 50 NZD), which will transport hikers from the parking lot to the trailhead.

🚶: According to the official guide, the shortest route, spanning 20 km, typically takes an average of 6-8 hours to complete. As a novice hiker, I tackled a 23.5 km hike in 7 hours, wearing my windbreaker and pants for the very first time. The extra distance comes from detours to Soda Spring or a loop around the lake below, adding a few kilometers to the journey.

It’s worth noting that the endpoint is still about 800 meters from the parking lot—a distance that feels particularly exhausting after such a long trek [laughing and crying emoji]. Without detours and fewer photo stops (my colleague and I snapped hundreds of photos), it might be possible to finish in under 6 hours, fueled by that competitive spirit that has been with me since childhood.

Despite being new to hiking, I have a boundless energy. Last year, I conquered Mount Huang in the morning, reached the summit of Tiandu Peak, and then explored Xidi and Hongcun in the afternoon, followed by a lively evening at the Taoxichuan night market in Jingdezhen [doge].

During the hike, there was a steep downhill section with loose gravel where I tumbled seven times. From what I observed, most hikers fall at least once. Interestingly, it seemed that many foreign hikers were more graceful going uphill but struggled with the descent. I, on the other hand, sprinted down the hill, surprising all the foreigners along the way and earning a lot of thumbs up ❤️.

To be honest, the Z-shaped downhill path is perfect for running, offering a liberating and exhilarating experience. Perhaps my background in running (I used to run about 12 km every night for an hour) made this part of the hike feel quite manageable.

🐯 Finally, here are some valuable lessons for other novices:

(1) The temperature can vary significantly between morning and noon, so be sure to bring appropriate clothing that you can layer or change as needed. This will keep you comfortable throughout the day.

(2) Choose the right footwear; the trail is quite rugged, and walking on gravel can be tough on your feet. My colleague recommended hiking socks for added comfort. Since it’s easy to lose your footing, high-top shoes are a great choice to provide extra ankle support and stability.

(3) If you have trekking poles, consider bringing them along. Although I haven’t used them myself, I noticed many hikers using two poles, which seemed to help with balance and reduce strain on their knees.

(4) Pack enough water and food, but don’t overburden yourself. I found that two bottles of water, a sandwich, and a few cookies were sufficient to keep me energized without weighing me down.

(5) Don’t skimp on sun protection. I only applied sunscreen to my face and later regretted not covering my hands, which ended up getting sunburned. Make sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed areas and consider wearing a hat and sunglasses for additional protection.

(6) Be prepared for limited toilet facilities. There are only a few pit toilets along the way, so if you’re particular about cleanliness, it’s a good idea to bring hand sanitizer and perhaps some wet wipes.

Finally, I wish all the friends heading to Tongariro a safe and successful hike, free from any falls!