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Sign in with FacebookLatest Tongariro National Park hotel reviews
Pro
The incredible experience of hiking across an active volcanic range!
Con
Is the physical effort a con? I think not. Maybe the numbers of walkers on busy weekends...
In a nutshell
Beautiful wilderness area.
ATXtraveler Says: If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, then you will enjoy the drive from Lake Taupo to the heart of Tongariro National Park. Leaving from Turangi towards Whakapapa Village, take Highway 1 south to Highway 46 west!For those of you that are a little more adventurous, you can...
Visit Mordor, I mean Whakapapa Village!
ATXtraveler Says: During our trip to the North Island, Sarah and I decided to take a day and visit all of the backdrops for the movie Lord of the Rings. Starting in the morning out at Hobbiton, we crossed the Plains of Gororoth and into Mordor!Mordor is actually Tongariro National Park, and...
Visit Mount Doom... or the Model of it!
ATXtraveler Says: Since it was cloudy, the best picture I could get of Mount Doom, better known as Mt. Ngauruhoe to the locals, or anyone not addicted to Lord of the Rings.Sarah and I ventured past the normal picture making locations for Mount Ngauruhoe and onto the Whakapapa Village and...
Tongariro Alpine Crossing 1-day mountain trek.
kiwi Says: This one day mountain trek is very accessible to most able bodied people. A very popular walk, it's well worth the effort if the weather is somewhat "nice". I'm holding the flag tight because it was so windy I nearly lost it!Depending on your fitness, and the weather, oh and...
elpariente Says: En la carretera que va desde Rotorua hacia Tongariro se pasa al lado del Lago Taupo y los paisajes por los que se va pasando son impresionantes On the road from Rotorua to Tongariro we passed to the side of Lake Taupo and the landscapes were awesome
elpariente Says: Decidimos hacer un recorrido de un día sólamente y elegimos hacer una ruta que nos recomendaron en el Visitors Centre , saliendo desde allí que duraba unas tres o cuatro horas Fue un paseo muy agradable , pues no era muy duro aunque en algún momento tenía pendientes no muy...
Tongariro Northern Circuit, day3 and day4 of 4
the1andtheonly1 Says: Day 3. Ketetahi Hut to Waihohonu Hut,6-7 hours, 16.5 km.I was glad that the weather was fantastic, so i got to see all the picturesque scenery that i missed on day 2, coz day 3, i hadanother chance to walk back to see the emerald lake and the blue lake that i missed on day...
Tongariro Northern Circuit, day1 and day2 of 4
the1andtheonly1 Says: The Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, is a three to four day tramp in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. Day1. Whakapapa Village to Mangetopo hut ,3-5 hours, 8.5 km. The track crosses tussock and dozens of small streams, which have eroded the...
Bayview Chateau Tongariro Hotel
1 Review and 334 Opinions The Grand Chateau sits on the outskirts of Whakapapa village with a backdrop of volcanos. It was...
118 Opinions
Cosy interior with lovely decoration and good tasty food, within the historic NP Railway Station.
A short drive from Discovery Lodge and Whakapapa.
Favorite Dish: Fish, pastas, salads, all tasty, done at the moment.
Nice people.
Updated Apr 18, 2008
Address: Findlay Str, National Park Village
Phone: +64 892 2881
On the Tongariro Crossing there isn't really any nightlife per se but our little group of 6 had great fun sitting on the benches outside the hut in the 3 degree air "watching our TV" which was the landscape around us. The sunset was spectacular as you can see from the pics attached. We were making all sorts of weird and wonderful stories up about the landscape around us. The human mind / imagination is a wonderful thing when technology is completely removed!!
Dress Code: Dress warm outside!!!
Written May 3, 2006
Helpfulness
Remember, the Tongariro Crossing is a one way hike (as opposed to a round trip, or going up then coming down a mountain). This means that it is a REALLY good idea to have some form of transport to drop you off at the start of the walk and perhaps more importantly pick you up at the other end.
There are lots of tour operators running buses from as far as Taupo, and many of the more local accommodation places do likewise.
The Discovery Lodge, where we stayed offers the earliest drop off time ~ 6am ~ and begins collecting its walkers from 2pm. Their last pick up is at 4pm but they make it very clear that for that bus they WILL NOT LEAVE until the last Discovery Lodge guest is accounted for, and that as a consequence you may need to be patient. They weren't wrong there ~ the last walker joined the bus at 5.30pm but I think everyone was too tired and pleased with their own efforts to mind.
Updated Apr 10, 2008
ATXtraveler Says: If you are thinking about travelling down to see Mt. Doom in Tongariro National Park during the winter, or when it looks cloudy, I would definitely choose an alternate activity. The day we went, we were really unable to get a good view of the mountain, which was the main...
kiwigal_1 Says: The Tongariro Crossing is known as New Zealand's Great Walk because it is the most popular one day hike in the country. It is generally a very safe walk, however every year there are people who are unprepared who get into trouble on the mountain. Trampers are encouraged to...
Helpfulness
This region gives the impression that you can escape and be alone. However it is very popular and you often find there are many other people with the same idea, hence "you are NOT alone"! During the summer months for example, the Tongariro Crossing has 1000 people walking it per day. That is phenomenal and for me it was a big surprise. This was a perfect weather day and also a Saturday making it busier than normal. Weekdays during peak summer, would be less busy.
Unique Suggestions: Get going early to beat the rush!
Fun Alternatives: The Tongariro Crossing is the walk most people like to do, however Tongariro National Park has many walks, so pick up a Doc pamphlet (NZD$2) from one of the Visitor Information Centres around the country, and see if another walk would interest you. Naturally the Crossing is popular because it is spectacular. However if you want to get away from people, midsummer, you won't here.
Updated Jun 23, 2007
kiwigal_1 Says: You will need a comfortable backpack for the tramp. Probably about 30 Litres maximum for any overnight trips and a daypack should be fine if you plan to do the one day hike. It might be good to consider getting the drinking bladder's installed in your backpack so that you...
Tongariro Crossing : Cental North Island
scrooge1947 Says: The Tongariro Crossing runs between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro, There are threee mountains basically in a row, Mt. Ruapheu is the first, then Ngauruhoe finally Tongariro. Ruapheu is the mountain with all the facilities for skiing etc.The crossing can be done from either...
yozza2005 Says: Challenging the Tongariro Crossing after a dump of snow is a great way to experience hiking in extreme conditions.I went with a guided group. We were supplied with crampons after we had negotiated the 'Devil's Staircase'. This was the most difficult time for the less fit of...
Helpfulness
The Tongariro Crossing is THE main activity that tourists will do in the region (besides in winter). The Crossing is a hike from Mangatepopo to Katetahi. The hike takes around 8 hours to complete and crosses over Mt Tongariro, past Mt Ngauruhoe and offers views of the lakes on the other side (Lake Taupo for example).
It is a really amazing hike and quite challenging however I think anyone can do it!
See the travelogue and the rest of this page for more pictures!
Equipment: Please check out the Department of Conservation website for advise on equipment for the crossing.
The weather can be changeable at certain times of the year so make sure you are prepared for anything. Take plenty of energy foods and water.
Updated May 3, 2006
Address: Tongariro National Park
allikat Says: From the Ketetahi hut you still have approximately two hours to go before you reach the end of the Crossing and the pick up point. For a while you are on a track which zig zags down the mountainside through tall grasses, then the last part of the track takes you through an...
allikat Says: One thing I definitely hadn't expected to find on the Tongariro Crossing was public toilet facilities! But I guess with so many people now doing the crossing it is important the environment is properly protected. There are basic and environmentally friendly toilet...
The volcanoes of Tongariro National Park are now settling down and we can oncemore explore this amazing place in relatively relaxed mode. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is now fully open as at May...
I had wanted to do the Tongariro Crossing for a long time, but I hadn't really known what to expect. Well at last, I have done it - twice! The first time back in 2005 (my tip photos are mostly from......
First Trip, March 2003. Second time december 2010. The Tongariro Crossing,runs between the sadle of Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro, entry is from Mangatepopo Road although it can be done in reverse....
Welcome to Mordor! I mean Tongariro National Park
Thanks to our handy HEMA map, which had little golden rings next to all of the sites for the filming of the Lord of the Rings we ended up in Tongariro National Park to see the Plains of Gogoroth and...
There are three mountains here, Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Mt Ruapehu is the location of the main skifields for the North Island. The crater lake on Ruapehu is filling after the 95/96...
Build your own Tongariro National Park page
Comments (2)
I gotta get over here!
Someone was heli-rescued yestereday not one week after it opening fully. It's a big one! But worth doing on a nice day. Busy in summer though, too busy at times!
May 2013 - After months of volcanic activity, the entire alpine track has reopened now. Be sure to wear strong ankle protecting hiking boots, as the track still has some places where it can be rough.