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Tracks

Tongariro National Park

Track • 95 days. Medium. One way.

Te Araroa is a walking trail running the entire length of the North and South Islands. The trail opened 3 December 2011.

Round the Mountain: Ruapehu

Track • 5 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

Combined with part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, this track forms a loop around Mt Ruapehu. Combined with the other part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, this track forms a longer loop aroun...

Tongariro Northern Circuit

Track • 3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

This circuit on the Volcanic Plateau passes close to the summit of Tongariro in a spectacular, active volcanic landscape of crater lakes, lava flows, and hot springs. A side-trip leads to the summi...

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Track • 1 day. Medium. One way.

A popular but crowded alpine route through a spectacular volcanic landscape.

Ngauruhoe Volcano

Track • 1 day. Medium. Returns via same track.

Ascent of the steep, symmetrical scoria cone of a young volcano - can be walked as a 3 hour side trip on the Tongariro Crossing

Hauhungatahi Track

Track • 1 day. Easy/medium. Return by the same track.

Hauhungatahi, also called Baldy, is the prominent hill just outside National Park. It is in a remote experience zone so this track is not officially maintained.

Mangahouhounui Stream

Track • 2 days. Medium. One way.

An untracked alternative to getting from Ketetahi Hut to Oturere Hut and beats the madenning crowd.

Lake Surprise

Track • 1 day. Medium. Return via same track.

Walk to Lake Suprise, Mountain Track

Ketetahi Track

Track • 0 – 2 days. Easy. Return via same track.

Easy climb through forest and subalpine vegetation on the northern flank of the Tongariro Volcano

Ruapehu Te Hue Hue Summit

Track • Medium. Return via same track.

Rocky walk in summer leaving from the Knoll Rigde Cafe' for a scramble up the ridge. great views with very few other walkers.

Whakapapanui Track

Track • Easy. Return via road or same track.

An easy all-weather walk through forest alongside the Whakapapanui Stream.

Tama Lakes Track

Track • Medium. Return via same track.

A good day walk onto the Tama Saddle, visiting explosion craters near the foot of Ngauruhoe. Excellent panoramic views on an exposed, windy track.

Soda Springs

Track • Easy. Return via same track.

The easiest close approach to Ngauruhoe Volcano, following a smooth track through a raw, moonlike landscape to an oasis of vegetation around mineral springs

Taranaki Falls

Track • Easy. Loop track.

Tihia Track

Track • Easy/medium. Loop track with a road section.

A rough loop track and hard to find. But a worthwhile trip to a summit with good views

Te Mari Craters

Track • Easy/medium. Return via same route.

Unmarked walk to volcanic craters near Ketetahi Hut on the Tongariro Crossing

Old Coach Rd - Ohakune

Track • 0 – 1 day. Easy. One way.

Part of the NZ cycleway recently opened by John Key. However parts of this track are quite muddy, even on foot. Follows an old coach road and parts of the main trunk railway line that was realigned...

Silica Rapids Walk

Track • Easy. Loop track with a road section.

Creamy-white aluminosilicate deposits near Whakapapa village.

Whakapapa Nature Walk

Track • Easy. Loop track.

A brief sealed track introducing the park's vegetation zonation.

Ridge Track

Track • Easy. Return via same track.

A brief climb onto the subalpine shrub fields offering panoramic views.

Mount Tongariro

Track • Easy/medium. Return via same route.

A side trip on the Tongariro Crossing to the low summit of Tongariro Volcano

Track grades

Easy: Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
Easy-medium: Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
Medium: Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
Medium-hard: Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
Hard: Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.