Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO dual World Heritage Area and was the first in the world to receive cultural World Heritage Status.

From the Ketetahi Road end, the track goes through a cool podocarp-hardwood forest which is a relaxed contrast to the coming long ascent to the old Ketetahi Shelter site. The track travels alongside a stream polluted with minerals from Ketetahi Springs and, at two points, passes over the tongue of a lava flow from Te Maari Crater.

From the forest bush line, the track winds its way up and up and up, through tussock slopes past the Ketetahi Springs to the old Ketetahi Shelter site.

• Note: The Ketetahi Springs are on private land. The Ketetahi Trust, representing the landowners, has permitted trekkers to cross part of their land but this does not include access to Ketetahi Springs. Please respect this restraint and follow the poled route.

From the old Ketetahi Shelter site, the track ascends further before sidling down around the flanks of North Crater to the Blue Lake and over the Mars-like Central Crater. Then it’s past the three water-filled explosion craters called the Emerald Lakes; their brilliant greenish colour is caused by minerals which have leached from the adjoining thermal area. The Tongariro Northern Circuit track to Oturere Hut branches off to the left at the lowest lake.

Taking care on the loose stones and gravel on the track as you ascend steeply to the summit of Red Crater (1886m), the highest point on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. You can also smell the sulphur, evidence that Red Crater is still active.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track then continues along a poled route down the ridge leading to South Crater. 

• Note: Department of Conservation advises walkers to stay on marked tracks and not attempt to climb the summits of Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Tongariro. The mountains are sacred to local Māori tribes and they respectfully ask that summits are not climbed.

From Mangatepopo Saddle between Mount’s Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro, you can be rewarded, on a clear day, by views of Mt Taranaki to the west. Then it’s a steep descent to the head of the Mangatepopo Valley where a short side track leads to Soda Springs. The track then makes its way down the Mangatepopo Valley, at a gentle gradient alongside a stream and around the edges of old lava flows.

For Te Araroa through walkers, the turnoff to the Mangatepopo Track to Whakapapa is 200m further on from the Mangatepopo Hut sidetrack. 

The carpark at Mangatepopo Road is 1km (15 minutes) from the Mangatepopo Track turnoff.

Mangatepopo Hut is free from 1st May to 20th October.  From 21st October it is classed as a Great Walk and requires booking.  Backcountry Hut passes are not useable