** Please note: From May to October, this track is covered in snow and ice.
It’s best to go with a guide or choose another track. Head to www.doc.govt.nz for more details **
Tongariro National Park contains stunning landscapes made up of unique
forms of volcanic terrain just waiting to be explored. This part of Aotearoa is
a dual World Heritage Site which recognizes both the natural environment
and the cultural and spiritual significance this land has to local
Maori, providing people with an experience like nowhere else in the world
Keen adventurers can experience it for
themselves on one of the most challenging day hikes in the region. The
Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging day hike that travels
19.4 kilometers right through an active volcano.
Although beautiful, it can be dangerous if you are not fully prepared to enter
an Alpine environment. Extreme weather, terrain and distance have resulted in
this track having the highest number of search-and-rescues in New Zealand, so
there's a few things you need to know before you go. The best time of year to
do this hike is from October through to April, the days are longer and the
chances of encountering snow are much lower. Outside of this period it becomes
a land of snow and ice making it difficult to attempt without the proper
skills and equipment. The average summer daily temperature is 5 to 12 degrees (Celsius)
and you can expect approximately 200 days of rainfall per year. Make sure
you check the official Tongariro National Park weather forecasts at MetService.com
before you go, and pay close attention to the forecasted wind speed
rain and temperatures at Red Crater. It's important to remember that you will be
in an Alpine environment which means there is a good chance you will
experience heavy rain, strong winds snow and freezing temperatures even in the
height of Summer. So, you'll need warm and waterproof clothing even on a nice day.
A good pair of rigid hiking boots will greatly help you reduce your chance of
slipping on loose volcanic rock and make sure you carry enough water for the
whole day is there isn't any available along the track. Parking for the crossing
is restricted to four hours so you'll need to organize transport to and from
the start and finish. Hikers often underestimate how long it takes to
complete the hike so starting by 8 a.m. will ensure you'll have plenty of
daylight, but make sure you pack a heat torch just in case.
As with all walks and tramps in New Zealand make sure you leave your
intentions with a trusted contact and inform them when you've finished your
trip. You can find out more about leaving your intentions at the Mountain Safety
Council website. The trek starts on a very unique mix of
terrain; volcanic rock, tussock and Alpine vegetation. This is a fragile ecosystem
so boardwalks have been installed to reduce disruption from hikers. Please
respect this and keep to the track to protect this truly unique environment.
It's important to note that this section is the most sheltered, so it isn't
representative of the conditions you will experience toward the summit, so if
conditions here are already poor we recommend you tune back and try the hike
another day. DOC has placed toilets every 1.5 hours throughout the
crossing. Plan your toilet breaks around these spots as it's culturally and
environmentally insensitive to go anywhere else. It's also handy to bring
your own toilet paper as this is NOT provided! The end of the boardwalk takes
you to Soda Springs. This is your first essential decision-making poin. You've
just walked the easiest part of the track and from here it will become much
more challenging so reassess your groups fitness and confidence. Reassess the
weather not only here, but also higher up the mountain as that's where you'll be
heading. If it's windy, wet or visibility is limited then consider turning back as
conditions will only get worse. Finally, do you have enough warm and waterproof
clothing to keep you dry and comfortable for the rest of the day? If you have
doubts about any of these points and you should consider turning back. From here
the track starts to climb Devil's Staircase, this is one of the most
strenuous parts of the hike as you climb approximately 300 meters in elevation
over two kilometers. As you climb keep in mind that this difficulty is more
representative of what the rest of the hike will be like. At the top of the
staircase you'll be entering the South Crater this will be another key decision
making point. Temperatures will be much cooler so, take a moment to layer up and
have a bite to eat. Reassess the weather as wind and rain can be much stronger up
here and will continue to increase as you climb up Red Crater.
If visibility is low and you can't see the marker poles in front of you then
you should consider turning around is it's easy to lose the track. Once you
have traversed the South Crater you will begin the climb up to Red Crater this
requires you to travel up a steep ridge line that leaves you exposed to weather
from all sides. DOC has installed chains to help you
scramble up the hardest parts. The track gets rockier as you progress up
it and ice or snow can make it very slippery so ensure you have the correct
foot placement in all conditions. Make sure you stick to the track to avoid
kicking rocks down on to the people below. When you reach Red Crater this
will be the highest and most exposed point on the crossing, this is also a
good spot to reassess the weather conditions and make the decision to
either continue on or turn back. Just keep in mind this isn't quite the
halfway point yet. From here you will start the descent down Red Crater and
this is the most common location for injuries and search-and-rescues on this
track. The descent is steep and the scree slope makes slipping a very common
occurrence. Strong rigid hiking boots will really help you descend the scree
and give you the grip and support that you need. Make sure that you stick to the
track and help other members of your group down the section. When you arrive
at Emerald Lakes there are a few rules to abide by. These lakes are 'taonga', which
means sacred to local Maori Ngati Hikairo Ki Tongariro, so please
respect this by not touching the water building rock cairns or throwing rocks into
the lakes. Just take a photo, soak in the view and continue on your journey.
From here you will cross the central crater to get to Blue Lake. The track is fairly
easy going but poor conditions and visibility can make it difficult to see
so make sure you follow the orange track markers. One last little climb brings you
up to Blue Lake. Again, this lake has 'taonga' so look but don't touch.
Beyond the lake you start your descent. The track is well-built and you will
become less exposed the more you move down the mountain. Although this is a
relatively easy section of the track, keep an eye on your footing as you can
be tired from a long day of tramping (hiking) and become prone to making mistakes or
tripping on rocks. The track zigzags down the mountain and it eventually evens out
as you enter the treeline. There's still a good amount of distance to cover until
you reach the end of the hike at Ketetahi road end, so stay together and
support those who are finding it difficult. This 19 kilometre volcanic hike is like no
other in the world. It's amazing views and accessibility has
resulted in its huge popularity. Although this hike is commonly done by people of
all fitness levels, it is a hostile environment that consistently
leads to people getting into trouble. You can minimize this
happening by aiming to hike between October and April. Outside of this period
or if conditions are poor, try alternatives such as Taranaki Falls or
Tama Lakes tracks. Also, check out the official Tongariro National Park weather
forecast at MetService.com. Finally, talk to DOC staff at the Tongariro National
Park Visitor Center for information on the latest track conditions. Now, get out
there and safely enjoy one of New Zealand's best day hikes.
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