Tongariro National Park Offers Many Things To Do
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most popular and classic activity in Tongariro National Park. No list of “Top Activities in Tongariro National Park” is complete without it. Every year, thousands of international visitors come to experience this incredible hike.
Besides the Alpine Crossing, you can also enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and more in the park.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing
At the end of Mangatepopo Road, parking is now only allowed for 4 hours. This is so that the NZ Department of Conservation can manage the large crowds that are prevalent in summer.
If you want to hike the entire Tongariro Crossing, the best place to leave your car is at the Ketetahi carpark, which is at the end of the trail and has a shuttle that takes you to the starting point of the Crossing.
Mangatepopo Valley
The track starts at the end of Mangatepopo Road, which is 7 km from SH47. It goes up the Mangatepopo Valley. The Mangatepopo hut and campsite are 20 minutes from the parking area, down a short side path. The main path keeps going up at a gentle slope, going along a stream and around the edges of old lava flows.
As you walk up the valley, you’ll see the different colours of the lava flows. Younger lava is darker on the surface and soaks up more of the sun’s heat. This makes it hard for plants to grow, which is why there aren’t many plants, lichens, or mosses on the youngest flows.
As the flows get older, there are more species and bigger plants, which take advantage of the slow buildup of valuable soil.
Soda Springs
Near the top of the Mangatepopo Valley, a short side path leads to the cold water Soda Springs, which bubble up in a swampy area at the top of the stream. Iron oxide, which comes from the breakdown of volcanic ash in the bog, gives the rocks around and below the springs their golden colour. The name comes from the fact that the water is slightly charged with gases that have dissolved in it.
South Crater
From Soda Springs to South Crater, the trail slowly goes up 340 m. You pass over two lava flows from 1,870 and two pyroclastic flows from 1975. On a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Taranaki on the west coast from this part of the track.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing goes east across South Crater after the top of the climb.
You can learn more about Soda Springs and Soda Crater in our guide about the sections of the Tongariro Crossing.
Tongariro Circuit
The 42-kilometre (26-mile) Tongariro Northern Circuit loops through some of the best volcanic scenery in the national park. It takes you to the Tongariro Crossing and Tama Lakes. It will also take you to more remote parts of National Park so you can see the real volcanic wilderness.
Taranaki Falls
The Taranaki Falls are one of the most beautiful and impressive waterfalls in New Zealand. Along with the waterfall are amazing views of Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Ngauruhoe, and Mt. Tongariro, as well as a great walk through a beech forest.
There are views from both the bottom and the top of the waterfall (if you dare get close enough).
Taranaki Falls is part of a 2-hour loop that starts in the village of Whakapapa.
Skiing (in winter)
Some of the biggest ski fields in New Zealand are right here on the biggest volcano in the country. During the winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to Mt. Ruapehu, which has two large ski fields and a smaller club field. Mt. Ruapehu is also an active volcano, so you can cross “ski down an active volcano” off your list.
On Mt. Ruapehu, there are three ski areas: Whakapapa, which can be reached from Whakapapa Village, Turoa, which can be reached from Ohakune, and Tukino, which can be reached from Tukino Road.
Mountain Biking On Old Coach Road
The area around the Tongariro National Park has a lot of great bike trails. The Old Coach Road is one of the best in the country.
You can ride your bike along a historic trail that has forest, old railroad parts, and views of the countryside. The 15km one-way trail takes about 2 hours and twenty minutes on a bike or 4 hours and thirty minutes to walk.
Tawhai Falls
If you are not into enduring difficult hikes, you’ll be glad to know that seeing fantastic sites in the Tongariro National Park doesn’t have to be hard work. The easiest waterfall to get to in Tongariro is Tawhai Falls, which is only a 20-minute walk from the road. It’s worth stopping to take a picture.
Mangawhero Falls - Lord of the Rings Filming Set
Yes, it’s another waterfall, but this one was in The Lord of the Rings! If you go up the Ohakune Mountain Road, you’ll see signs for Mangawhero Falls. There are two places to look at this 28-metre-high (92-foot-high) waterfall, which is just 20 minutes’ walk from the road.
High Tea At The Chateau Tongariro
The Chateau Tongariro is a great place to go if you want a break from all the hiking and mountain biking at Tongariro.
You can choose from a variety of tasty finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats. These can be served with your choice of espresso coffee or any of our gourmet fresh teas.
The elegant Chateau Tongariro Hotel is in the outskirts of Whakapapa Village, which is in the middle of Tongariro National Park. It was built in the “roaring twenties” and was finished in 1929.
You can sit in an armchair and look at Mt. Ngauruhoe while eating fancy cakes and drinking tea. Fancy much?
2024 Update: The Chateau is now closed, and it’s future is uncertain. Structural issues have been found on the building itself, which will cost a signficant amount of money to remedy.
