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Tongariro Switcheroo, Manawatu - Wanganui

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Tongariro SwitcherooVery Experienced

Submitted by Mike Steel

Info Info
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Trail Information

32.00km

2000m

2000m

 

Manawatu - Wanganui

National Park

Back country - remote

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic

Very Experienced

9:00 (Slow)
6:45 (Moderate)
4:30 (Fast)

-11.7%

+11.4%

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Description

Please note: all peaks in the Tongariro National Park are sacred to the local hapū Ngāti Hikairo Ki Tongariro, who ask that we show respect by not climbing them. Access is not actually  banned, so this is a conscience call for all trampers and runners.

This circuit traverses Mts Tongariro and Ngaruhoe on a variety of terrain (some of it untracked) from Whakapapa, requiring no backtracking, and combining 'touristy' sections of this famous pleateau with some remote untracked wilderness. Good to start early.

From the Chateau/Skotel, head out on the lower track towards Mangatepopo Hut near where you join the famous Tongariro Crossing track (which will be crowded if you slept in!) and follow it up to the top of the 'Devil's Staircase'. Leave the track here and strike out north on top of the untracked ridge up Mt Tongariro (this ridge dominates the skyline all the way up the Mangatepopo valley). The ridge has some nice rock scrambling in places and you can expect to be alone on this section.

From Tongariro summit run back down the tracked ridge to Red Crater, then run back along the crowded Tongariro Crossing track to the trail that leads up Mt Ngaruhoe. Climb this volcano by the standard route - using as much of the rock band as possible (600m, 40-80 mins). After checking out the inner crater, return north-east to the steaming outer rim, and run around to the high point on the far (Ruapehu) side of Mt Ngaruhoe (see pic). Then drop off the edge - take a bearing on the Upper Tama lake and begin the steep, airy descent of the untracked `dark side' of Ngaruhoe, which is steeper and longer than the popular northern side - it's highly unlikely you will meet anyone else here. Avoid getting into the big central gully which has bluffs, and loose rock - probably best to tend right to descend on a steep scree face; left is also possible but of mixed quality.

At the bottom is nice running cross country and over a (sometimes dry) tarn to two low adjacent cols above the Upper Tama Lake - pop over the left-hand col, which has a soft 60 metre descent to a remote and sheltered/bushy sandy beach on the northern edge of Upper Tama lake (refreshing swim on a hot day). Head left around the lake shoreline - some obstacles can be bypassed by clambering up a few metres and/or getting wet - then head for the obvious low saddle. From here climb up around the lake over some low hills (runnable) to where you join the standard track from the Upper Tama Lake. A cruisy and mostly downhill hour-long run back to the Skotel/Chateau.


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Features of interest

Central volanic plateau's famous lakes and active vents, plus some alpine lakes, a remote sandy beach by a lake, and the `dark side' of Mt Doom (Ngaruhoe).


Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 30%

Technical Single Track: 30%

Moderate Single Track: 30%

Easy Single Track: 10%


Route Data

Reviews:

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Overlapping Runs

The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each

Taranaki Falls & Tama Lakes

Taranaki Falls & Tama Lakes

Length: 18.50km

Ngauruhoe

Ngauruhoe

Length: 15.20km

Tongariro Northern Circuit

Tongariro Northern Circuit

Length: 44.50km

Taranaki Falls Beauty

Taranaki Falls Beauty

Length: 6.30km


Photos:

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Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    Skotel (Whakapapa Village - turn left immediately past the Chateau and drive to near the end of the short road).

    Plenty of parking in the village and near the track.

    16 km

    12 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Moderate.

    Make sure you take the lower track to Mangetepopo (which drops down from the Skotel; not the upper track - which is the one you'll return on).
    Some navigation required on Tongariro and more importantly on the descent of the southern side of Ngaruhoe (would not be a good place to get lost in cloud). If it's cloudy, the `Northern circuit' would be a good back-up option. Carry a map and compass.

    Patchy.

    Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Gaiters.

    Plenty of streams (also water at Mangatepopo Hut).

    As a run, this is really only feasible for the warmer months, since the peaks will be plastered in snow in winter/spring.
    Even in summer this is a fine-day trip only, and the weather can change up there very quickly.

    Take particular care on the descent of the south side of Ngaruhoe.

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