The Tongariro Alpine Crossing has been described as one of New Zealand's best one-day treks

 The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a spectacular one-day trek across New Zealands Tongariro National Park World Heritage Area. The trek begins at Mangatepopo in the west and ends at Ketetahi on the northern edge of the Park.

Alpine HotBus Tours bus service is the leading Tongariro Alpine Crossing transport operator taking trekkers to and from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Their buses collect trekkers from Taupo and from Turangi and transport them to the Mangatepopo start point.

Later in the day, buses from Alpine HotBus Tours collect trekkers from the Ketetahi car park and take them back to Turangi and on to Taupo. Alpine HotBus Tours operate under a Department of Conservation Concession.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing starts as a gentle gradient up the Mangatepopo Valley to a steep climb to the saddle between the active Volcanoes of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, across South Crater and finally climbing up to Red Crater, the highest point (1886m) on the track. Then descending down to the Emerald Lakes (a group of water filled explosion craters), over Central Crater to the Blue Lake (an old vent) sidling around North Crater past the Ketetahi Hut and the Ketetahi Hot Springs and then down through the native forest to the car park.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing __ The Northern Circuit  __

 

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (route marked in red) is 17 km (one way) and you should allow 6-7 hours from the Mangatepopo car park to the Ketetahi car park.

 

 

Approximate Walking Times:

• Mangatepopo car park to Soda Springs -1 hour.
• Soda Springs to South Crater - 45 minutes.
• South Crater to Red Crater - 1 hour.
• Red Crater to Ketetahi Hut - 2 hours.
• Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi car park - 2 hours.

However, to enjoy other side tracks, plus sightseeing and lunch - allow another 2 hours.

 

The temperatures in the Tongariro National Park range from 3 to 35°C in the summer and -5 to +10°C in the winter. We suggest the following should be taken:

• Rainproof coat and over-trousers.
• Warm clothing, including hat and gloves (woollen or polyprop).
• Good footwear (boots).
• Sunglasses, sun-block, camera and film.
• Food and water.
• When snow is on the track, you may need an ice axe and crampons.

THIS IS A NATIONAL PARK.   PLEASE TAKE ALL RUBBISH YOU CREATE OUT OF THE PARK.

Other Walks in the Tongariro National Park World Heritage Area

Beginning from the Whakapapa Visitors Centre:

 

Ridge Track	30 minutes return in tussock environment.
Tawhai Falls	1.5 hours return via the Whakapapanui Track in a forest environment.
Taranaki Falls	2 hours round trip in sub alpine environment.
Silica Rapids	2.5 hours in sub alpine environment.
Tama Lakes	5 hours return in tussock and alpine herb fields.
North Circuit	3-4 days, 50 km incorporating most of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, passing active volcanoes, craters, lava flows, the Tama Lakes, Taranaki Falls and native flora and fauna.