At the bottom I decided I had so enjoyed the walk down that I was tempted to go back up again. Er zijn veel wandelroutes. Thanks for the info it really helped. The horizon looks interesting too as you see the mist and cloud rolling over the ridges. Hi Laurence, thank you for the detailed article!! From the red crater the track descends to the emerald lakes, aptly named for their mesmerising colours, with snow lining the edge. We're full time professional travel bloggers, and we visit all the places we write about personally. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Blue lake is the largest on Mount Tongariro and it does resemble a swimming pool! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. In this post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to both climb Mount Doom, and also hike the Tongariro Crossing, both of which are found on New Zealand north island. It turned out, the way down was pretty easy. The trail runs through an active volcanic region in the midst of Tongariro National Park, which is home to the iconic mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and the famous Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings (Mt Ngauruhoe). Mount Tongariro is a compound volcano in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of the North Island of New Zealand. Dat de vulkanen nog actief zijn, bleek in 2012 toen Mount Tongariro uitbarste en de bekende Alpine Crossing track negen maanden moest sluiten. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best one day hikes, if not THE BEST one day hike, in all of New Zealand! Hi, Refer to Tongariro National Park map 273-04, or Topo50 map BJ34 Mount Ruapehu. I cannot recommend this walk enough. Taking you right through the heart of the spectacular Tongariro National Park, you will find yourself in … Hey there, and thanks for the comment. The Tongariro Alpine crossing is an 18.5km one way day hike which crosses the volcanic centre of New Zealand’s North Island, between the summits of Mount Tongariro (1967m) and Mount Ngauruhoe (2287m). Behind us, Ngauruhoe loomed. Love the plots of flower beds, I can imagine an explosion of flowers (and colours) along the mountain slopes in Spring. I do have one question I have read on the other sites that you can no longer climb mount nguaruhoe because they have rangers there. You can definitely see it from the car park, and from much further away as well. Tongariro Guided Walks (formerly known as Walking Places) has operated as a premium guided walking provider since 2004. Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. We circumnavigated the two volcanoes used to film Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings: Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. By Clare Groom. You'll also receive our once a month e-mail packed with travel news, travel and photography tips, and updates. When did you do this hike? Tongariro Alpine Crossing; Tongariro Alpine Crossing. That lake is not lake Taupo, but lake rotoaira. May 14, 2016 May 14, 2016 aweequietspace Leave a comment . The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most popular and arguably also the most rewarding day hike in New Zealand. The trail is located inside Tongariro National Park, which was made famous by it's appearance in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. An informational sign will greet you at the beginning with Mount Tauhara straight ahead. This part of the walk is well known for feeling longer than it is, and you really do start to wonder if you have become lost in a never ending forest trail. Required fields are marked *, Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!). About half way up my travelling companion concluded I was completely insane, and left me to it. After a spot of food to bolster the spirits, I sledged down the snow on my bum, brushed myself off, and pondered the best way to get down the rest of the way. It’s one of the largest mountains in the area, so you will be able to see if from some way away (depending on the angle of course). I generally carry around 3 litres of water for a day hike like this. I just carried an Osprey day pack, I think it’s 25L. These are the best places for budget-friendly hiking trails in Tongariro National Park: Which places provide the best hiking trails in Tongariro National Park for adventurous travelers? Thank you! Up to 4000 people tackle the trail each day during the summer months - we've heard stories of waiting in line just to wander slowly up the trail and batting to get 'that shot'. There are toilets at the start: 20 minutes in and 1 hour in. I will get one thing out of the way now. The Tongariro National Park is the home to the three mountains of Ruapehu, the largest mountain in the north island, Ngauruhoe the youngest volcano and Tongariro whose landscape has developed over the last 300,000 years. Laurence and Jessica Norah are the British-American travel blogging couple behind photography & adventure travel blog Finding the Universe and luxury / couples travel blog Independent Travel Cats. Finishing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike . Thank you. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which starts at the Mangatepopo car park, is 19.4 km (12 miles) and takes 7-9 hours. New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage Site. Obviously the significance of the mountain has not changed, but this system was not in place when I climbed the mountain back in 2010, and I wasn’t aware of this. Being a subscriber also makes you eligible to enter our monthly travel and photography giveaways! De eerste 5 kilometer van de Tongariro Crossing hike je door de Mangatepop0 vallei. A World Heritage site, Tongariro National Park is dominated by three volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. De vulkanen hebben een oud Maori mythe wat nog steeds voelbaar is. This, however, was not to be. The hike starts gradually from Mangatepopo Car Park, heading east through grassland toward Mangatepopo Valley beneath two imposing volcanoes, Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. It is a point to point hike so you will need to arrange transportation to either the start or finish of the hike. The walk itself is very well marked, and the track is not too hard. Featuring extending volcanic terrain, unique and dramatic landforms and a range of endemic flora and fauna this world-renowned day hike is full of extremes and surprises. If you do go and try to climb it and are able to provide me with an update that would be very helpful. Mount Tongariro is a compound volcano in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of the North Island of New Zealand. Once you pass Mount Ngauruhoe, have climbed up to the Red Crater, and worked your way down to the Emerald Lakes, it’s time for the long descent down to the Ketetahi car park. De Tongariro Alpine Crossing is de meest spectaculaire daghike van Nieuw-Zeeland. But then, with scenery like this to look at, there really is no rush. Viewed from the west, the triptych 1 presented by Mts Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu is arguably one of the finest views on New Zealand’s North Island. This hike is only for well-equipped trekkers who have plenty of hiking experience under their belt. Planning to hike the crossing in November 2019, so thanks for the detailed description. Although the elevation isn't extreme, the landscape is exposed and can be hazardous when there's wind, rain, cloud, and snow. Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor, Last updated: December 9, 2019. Thank you so much for your time and help – and have a lovely day! more, #3 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #5 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #6 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #7 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #8 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #9 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #10 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #12 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #13 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #14 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #16 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park, #17 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Tongariro National Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I always prefer to do a long hike like this in proper hiking boots as you get good ankle support and grip. In het noorden ligt Ketethi Hot Springs met warmwaterbronnen en borrelende modderpoelen. Read more about us here. So not too big. It does get very busy though, so if you can find a gloriously sunny day in the quieter months (around Spring time) you may enjoy it more. Please check your e-mail to activate your subscription. The sight of other people carrying on bolstered my confidence, even though I had no idea at all how I was going to get back down, and I pressed on, finally making it to the top in just under two hours. There are sections of the hike that are considered active volcano areas, and the trail has optional side trips to Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe (famously known as 'Mt Doom' in the Lord of the Rings trilogy) as well as passing Mount Ruapehu.Show more "The immense volcanic vistas of starkly beautiful "moonscapes" dotted with intensely green, turquoise and blue crater lakes-- and, if you're lucky, an amazing azure sky above -- will just about knock you over." We did this in early October, when there was still some snow but not too much. Dit gedeelte van de track is vrij vlak en daardoor goed te doen. Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! Click here to see our current giveaway and enter! The Tongariro National Park is best known as Mordor and Mount Ngauruhoe as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Helpfully, one of the shuttle bus companies (Tongariro Expeditions) was kind enough to give us a lift up with one of their morning runs which go from the park we work in to the car park the walk starts in. So that would be my recommendation . Is it possible to see the mountain from the Mangatepopo car park? The National Park is a dual World Heritage Site. Terry Blumhardt, is the Owner and Head Guide. Hiking Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand’s most spectacular one-day alpine hike. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most incredible day walks in the world. Perhaps most notably, Tongariro National Park is home to the wildly popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. You can also extend your hike and consider a side trip to Mount Ngauruhoe or Mount Tongariro - each side trip takes an additional 3 hours. We could see, for example, Mount Taranaki jutting into the sky, 180km away to our west. The Tongariro Alpine crossing is an 18.5km one way day hike which crosses the volcanic centre of New Zealand’s North Island, between the summits of Mount Tongariro (1967m) and Mount Ngauruhoe (2287m). Mount Doom can be found in the Tongariro National Park on New Zealand’s north island. It’s just so… volcanic. And thank you for such a great post! De tongariro crossing is de bekendste 'one day-hike'. You start off walking from the car park to the Mangatepopo Hut along a giant valley lined with lava flows and boulders, before the first serious ascent, up to the Mangatepopo saddle, which is right between the Tongariro and Ngauruhoe summits. Highlights: Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings), Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu, Red Crater, Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake, Lake Taupo; Onze hike. We combined the Round the Mountain Track and the Tongariro Northern Circuit/Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We only recommend products and services that we use ourselves, and will always link to relevant information, regardless of whether or not there is an affiliate program. From Mount Ngauruhoe to the Emerald Lakes, and all the way to the Ketetahi carpark where you’ll finish this beautiful hike. There was no sign of orcs or dark, twisted evildoers. All it needed was giant spiders and elves, and Mirkwood would have come to life around me. The descent takes you past the Ketetahi Hut and the Ketetahi Hot Springs – the latter of which are private Maori land and therefore not accessible to walkers – before the final 6.5km down through the alpine forest and to the car park. Trek across a volcanic alpine landscape of dramatic contrasts – steaming vents, glacial valleys, ancient lava flows, alpine vegetation and vivid crater lakes, all with stunning views. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. See our Code of Ethics for more information. We pressed on. From the blue lake it was all downhill – we rounded a corner and lost sight of Ngauruhoe, hidden behind the bulk of Tongariro, and started the long descent. Always good to have feedback to help others . If you do notice any changes when you are there, please do let me know so I can be sure it’s accurate for other readers! The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the best one-day hike in New Zealand and is even regarded as one of the top ten single-day treks in the world. By Clare Groom. Enter your details below to receive my FREE 10-part photography course. Three active andesitic volcanoes dominate the scenery of the area. Mount Tongariro is 1,967 meters tall and Mount Ngauruhoe, which played the role of Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, is 2,291 meters tall. It is a 20km hike that passes over the volcanic terrain of an active volcano called Mount Tongariro. I was not aware of this when I climbed the peak. In respect of their wishes, DOC rangers removed signs directing visitors to the peak in 2017. At this point I re-met my companion, and we set off again on the walk. I circumnavigated the outer and lower part of the rim, stopping to take a lot of photos, before the final push up another fifty metres or so of hard packed snow got me to the top and I was able to peer within. Which experiences are best for hiking trails in Tongariro National Park? Walk up through the ski area to the top of the Waterfall Express chairlift at Knoll Ridge. The way to climb Mount Doom is to do a part of the Tongariro Alpine crossing. From what I have read you are still allowed to climb it, however you are encouraged not to by the rangers due to the significance of the mountain to the local people. De Tongariro Crossing is gemakkelijk in één dag te wandelen en brengt je eigenlijk al het moois van Tongariro National Park, zoals de Red Crater, Mount Tongariro, de Emerald Lakes en Blue Lake. We finally conquered the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!. The scorched cinder cone of Mount Ngauruhoe (recognisable as Middle Earth's Mount Doom) dominates the view across the National Park to Mount Ruahepu, and can be climbed as a side trip, however this will add another 2 hours trekking time. It is a point to point hike so you will need to arrange transportation to either the start or finish of the hike. Tongariro National Park is located right in the center of the North Island of New Zealand and contains a large part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone.There are three volcanoes in the park: Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu. All I had to do was dig my heels in to the ash filled scree and walk / slide my way down. Even in the quieter part of the season, when we did it, there were plenty of people about. The walk was off to an auspicious start. Your email address will not be published. When I did this hike, it was allowed to climb Mount Ngauruhoe. Mount Ngauruhoe, and specifically its peak, is regarded as sacred to the local Maori hapū, Ngāti Hikairo Ki Tongariro. Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Getting there. Bij helder weer zie je achter je de gigantische Mount Taranaki/ Egmont in de verte liggen en voor je de imposante Mount Ngauruhoe (ook wel bekend als Mount Doom). Let’s get to that now, and hopefully answer all your questions! Certainly somewhere without trees. Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign up. Even if you don’t do the Ngauruhoe summit climb (which is genuinely scary), the views and scenery are truly stunning. This is the part of the trail known as the Mangatepopo Valley Track. The walk is along a track and up a short series of steps, to the top of one of the mounds. Als we vroeg uit onze campervan gerold komen, verschijnt er direct een glimlach op ons gezicht. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is situated in a National Park and the mountains are considered sacred.So, no excuses: leave no trace. anything you take with you must return with you: rubbish, bottles, and yourself, obviously. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is rated as the best one-day hike in New Zealand. - See 98 traveler reviews, 64 candid photos, and great deals for Turangi, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. That is amazing you pushed yourself to continue up… despite being left to go alone! This is a hike called Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 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