Tongariro Northern Circuit

Highlights

Walk sections

1. 1

   Mangatepopo car park to Mangatepopo Hut

   Well-formed track on the edge of Tongariro National Park.

   1.7 km

   0h 25m

2. 2

   Mangatepopo Hut to Emerald Lakes

   Follows Mangatepopo Stream up the valley over lava flows from Ngauruhoe (most recent 1949, 1954). Climb to Mangatepopo Saddle, cross South Crater, climb Red Crater. Loose rocks and stones — major slip hazard.

   8 km

   3h 30m

3. 3

   Emerald Lakes to Oturere Hut

   Descends steeply into Oturere Valley with views of Kaimanawa Ranges and Rangipo Desert. Weaves through jagged lava forms.

   4 km

   1h 30m

4. 4

   Oturere Hut to Waihohonu Hut

   Undulates over stream valleys and open gravel fields. Sidles around foothills of Ngauruhoe and through a beech-clad valley.

   8.1 km

   3h

5. 5

   Waihohonu Hut to Whakapapa Village

   Follows Waihohonu Stream up to Tama Saddle. Worthwhile side trip to Tama Lakes (10 min lower, 1 hr 30 min upper). Continues past Taranaki Falls back to Whakapapa.

   15.4 km

   5h

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1

   3h 30m

   Into the Volcano

   Whakapapa VillageMangatepopo Hut

   Distance

   9 km

   Elevation gain

   400m

   Est. time

   3h 30m

   Cross open volcanic plains and the Mangatepopo Valley to the hut at the base of Mt Ngauruhoe.

   Mt Ngauruhoe cone dominating the skyline

2. 2

   Day 2

   7h

   The Crossing

   Mangatepopo HutWaihohonu Hut

   Distance

   19 km

   Elevation gain

   800m

   Est. time

   7h

   The Tongariro Alpine Crossing route — South Crater, Red Crater, Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake and the Eastern Tama Lakes.

   Emerald Lakes and Red Crater

3. 3

   Day 3

   3h 30m

   Desert Road Side

   Waihohonu HutOturere Hut

   Distance

   11 km

   Elevation gain

   170m

   Est. time

   3h 30m

   Traverse an eerie volcanic desert landscape past the old Waihohonu Hut (1904).

   Volcanic plateau and desert landscape

4. 4

   Day 4

   4h 30m

   Back to Whakapapa

   Oturere HutWhakapapa Village

   Distance

   14 km

   Elevation gain

   350m

   Est. time

   4h 30m

   Return to Whakapapa through the Mangatepopo Valley, closing the circuit.

   Final views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe

Points of interest

• Emerald Lakes

  Brilliantly coloured lakes filling old explosion pits — minerals from Red Crater's thermal area give them their colour.

• Red Crater

  Active volcanic crater with steep, loose slopes — extra time and care needed.

• Blue Lake

  Cold fresh water filling an old vent — visible from Red Crater across Central Crater.

• Taranaki Falls

  Plunge into a boulder-ringed pool on the loop to Whakapapa Village.

• Tama Lakes

  Two infilled explosion craters named after Tamatea, high chief of the Takitimu Canoe.

• Historic Waihohonu Hut

  First hut built in Tongariro National Park (1903/04) — oldest example of an early two-room mountain hut in NZ.

Side trips

Huts on this walk

1. Night 1HutSleeps 24

   Mangatepopo Hut

   BunksGas cookersPit toilets
2. Night 2HutSleeps 44

   Waihohonu Hut

   BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
3. Night 3HutSleeps 24

   Oturere Hut

   BunksGas cookersPit toilets

Getting there

Know before you go

Always check track conditions and weather forecasts before you set out.

• Active volcanic zone

  Passes through volcanic hazard zones — volcanic risk present even when the track is open.

• Changeable alpine weather

  Sudden changes — wind-chill can be severe. Dress warmly.

• Winter avalanche risk

  May-October — complex avalanche terrain on Red Crater section. Requires alpine skills, equipment and experience.

• Loose rocks Red Crater

  Loose rocks and stones on Red Crater's steep slopes — major slip hazard, take extra time and care.

What to take