Tongariro CrossingIntermediate

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.

Starting through a birch forest the track slowly climbs right from the start. A couple of kms into the track you hit a stretch short steps with a few metres of track in between that take you up through to the tussock area. Once you get out of the trees there are stunning views over Lake Rotoaira and the surrounding area.

The rest of the first 10km is a steady climb up towards the base of Mt Ngauruhoe. It provides more stunning views - l could see parts of Lake Taupo on the day l went up (a bit cloudy.) On a clear day you could probably see all the way to Taupo.

Then you get to the top area. You pass Blue Lake, Emerald Lakes and the Red Crater through stunning volcanic landscape. In this part of the tack is the climb across the Red Crater summit which is very steep and covered in scree.

From the top it's a continuous descent down to Mangatepopo carpark which is very runnable. It starts of steep with a lot of sets of stairs and then turns into a slower descent on gravel track and boardwalks. Watch out for people coming towards you in this part as the track is narrow. Also remember that a lot of tourists will step to the right not the left to give way!

About 1km away from Mangatepopo carpark you can turn left on to the Northern Circuit to get to Whakapapa (9km away on deeply rutted trail)

Features of interest

Emerald Lakes, Mt Doom (Ngauruhoe), Red Crater

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 2%

Technical Single Track: 18%

Moderate Single Track: 15%

Easy Single Track: 65%

Route Data