Why the Tongariro Crossing is Not a Race

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often called New Zealand’s best one-day hike – a 20.2 kilometre journey across spectacular volcanic landscapes.

But unlike a marathon or a race, there’s no prize for finishing fastest. In fact, treating the Crossing like a race means missing out on much of what makes it special!

Most people will only ever hike the Crossing once in their lives, so it’s crucial to slow down and truly enjoy the experience. Here’s why you should chill out and take your time . . . .

Savor the Scenery – It’s a One-Time Journey, Not a Sprint

For the vast majority of hikers, the Tongariro Crossing is a bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime adventure – for both New Zealanders and tourists from overseas.

The route offers amazing, genuinely unique scenery: red craters, brilliant emerald lakes, steaming vents and panoramic views that at times make you feel like you are on another planet.

If you rush to beat some arbitrary time, you risk overlooking these wonders.

Stop. Look around.  Every section of the trail has unique sights, from the ancient lava flows underfoot to the snow-capped peaks on the horizon.

Pause to see how the light changes the colors of the mountains, or to watch mist roll over a crater.
Remember, you came all this way not to win a race, but to soak in an unforgettable environment.

When else will you stand on an active volcanic plateau, or see lakes as blue-green as the Emerald Lakes? Probably not again soon, so savour it now.

Moreover, photography is a big part of the Tongariro experience for many. You’ll want to stop and take photos of iconic spots like the Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake, and the summit of Red Crater.

The average person might end up taking dozens if not hundreds of photos during the hike – many of these are shared on social media – and let’s be honest bragging rights are up for grabs!

Take Breaks and Enjoy the Journey (Not Just the Destination)

One of the key reasons not to treat the Crossing as a race is that your body will thank you. This walk has significant elevation gain (roughly 765 m / 2,500+ ft up to Red Crater) and pushing yourself too hard can lead to fatigue, cramps, or even injury.

It’s perfectly okay (and smart) to take lots of mini breaks.

Grab a seat on a boulder or step aside at a scenic spot, catch your breath, and have a snack while admiring the views.

There are plenty of natural “rest areas” along the track. Even during the steep Devil’s Staircase section, often hyped as the hardest part – you’ll find built steps and wider patches where you can chill out easily and safely.

Take advantage of them! Sip some water, let faster groups pass, and then continue at your own pace. A slow, steady rhythm is far more enjoyable than exhausting yourself in a sprint

Don’t forget to eat and hydrate at those breaks, too. The Crossing is a full-day hike that will burn a lot of energy, you’ll need to refuel.

Many people stop for a longer snack or lunch break at scenic points like South Crater (after the Devil’s Staircase) or Emerald Lakes.  Not only does a picnic with a view make the experience richer, it also ensures you have the stamina to finish comfortably.

By taking time for food, you avoid “hitting the wall” (energy crash) that often hits people who try to power through without stopping.

Importantly, the trail itself encourages a measured pace.

There are toilets available every 1–2 hours along the track which naturally gives you reasons to stop.

Knowing you’re never too far from the next restroom means you don’t need to dash ahead in discomfort – you can relax and walk normally until the next scheduled stop.

Use these toilet breaks as a chance to stretch, chat with your group or other hikers, and simply be present in the moment.

This walk is as much about the journey as the destination, and each stop along that journey is worthwhile.

Rent free in your head?

A big concern for first-timers is “How long will it take? Do I need to hurry to finish before dark or before the shuttle leaves?”

Questions like these can live rent free in your head, but they needn’t! 

You see, the good news is that you actually have plenty of time. Most hikers take 6 to 8 hours to complete the Crossing at an enjoyable pace

However, what does tend to be stressful is wanting to finish in time to get a return shuttle and while there are lots of different shuttle companies offering return shuttles they all share one common issue – timing.

This is because in the afternoons, they typically only run once per hour. So, if you miss your ride by a few minutes, you’ll be left waiting around for an hour for it to make its next run – that’s a lot of thumb twiddling!

For this reason, many walkers try to get back in time for a shuttle, and end up rushing, not being chill and missing out on embracing the full experience.

There is a solution to the shuttle conundrum – in the morning park your car at the private, secure car park at the end of the crossing – Ketetahi. The car park service includes a one way shuttle to the start of the crossing.

You can then relax, take your time, take the photos etc and know that when you finish the walk, you simply walk the extra 10 minutes to the car park, where your vehicle awaits . . .

Finally, moving at a comfortable pace is safer.

The Tongariro Crossing is challenging, and fatigue can lead to missteps, especially on the long downhill or on rough terrain.

By pacing yourself, you’ll keep better footing (for example, descending the loose scoria from Red Crater to the Emerald Lakes requires careful, unrushed steps). You’ll also be more attuned to the weather – if conditions change (sudden fog, wind, etc.), you can respond calmly rather than forging ahead in a panic. In short, time is on your side. Use it fully.

Make Memories, Not Milestones

When you set out on the Tongariro Crossing, give yourself permission to enjoy the hike without any pressure. This trek isn’t a weird hyrox competition or a fitness test – it’s an experience.

Whether you finish in five hours or eight hours doesn’t matter; what matters is that you appreciate why it’s world-famous.

Chat with your fellow hikers, take those photos, breathe the mountain air etc, and let the day unfold at a natural pace.

You’ll find the Crossing far more rewarding when you treat it as a journey to be cherished, rather than a race to the end.

After all, when you look back on your adventure, you won’t remember your finish time  you’ll remember the awesome volcanoes, the jewel-toned lakes, and how you felt standing amidst those epic landscapes.

So slow down, absorb it all, and make your Tongariro Crossing a memory you’ll treasure.

Enjoy every minute!