Top Things to do in Tongariro National Park
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What to do and see in Tongariro National Park, North Island: The Best Hiking Trails
Discover the best top things to do in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Horsemtrails, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Active Outdoor Adventures, Mead's Wall, Rotopounamu Track, Whakapapa Nature Walk, Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids Track, Mounds Walk.
Restaurants in Tongariro National Park
1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,166 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By RJMEX - Brooks, Canada
My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. I had done some research on the Crossing, so we were prepared with hiking boots, day packs, layered windproof clothing, and extra collapsible water bottles. We also pre-booked a shuttle service to deliver us to the trail head, and pick us up at the finish. This is essential if you are doing the full day hike as there is a 4 hour parking limit in the car parks and the full hike is a good 6-8 hours depending on fitness level, photo op time, and how much you want to just enjoy the experience. Make no mistake, this is not a flatland "walk in the park", and unless you are at a good level of health and fitness and have the proper gear, this is not the hike for you. We are in our mid 60s and consider ourselves fit, but this was a workout. I recall the shuttle driver saying there were something like 800 stair steps going both up and down, and while they do make things less treacherous going up, they were a special kind of torture on the descent which takes 3 - 3.5 hrs. We saw several hikers suffering blisters, aching knees, and lack of water. The temperatures were quite cool when we started in the morning, along with a fairly strong wind, and we were glad for the wind proof clothing. By the time we were descending in the afternoon, it was quite warm and we had shed the layers. Heed the warnings about changing weather! We had a beautiful clear day, but a couple days earlier a guide told us the trail was down to a meter visibility in places due to fog and mist. You will find websites and reviews that play down the difficulty of this journey and tell you people from 4 years to 94 years have done the Crossing. That may well be, but these are exceptions, not the rule. My wife had to help a young nurse in her twenties who was afraid to continue due to the unstable footing on the descent from Red Crater and a guide told about having to carry a 10 year old over part of the trail he simply refused to go down. If you are unsure of your ability or equipment, book the hike with a guide or at least talk to someone who has done the crossing. Age is not the barrier, fitness and careless preparation is. If you decide to take the challenge and weather cooperates, you will be rewarded by some of the most spectacular views on the planet. Enjoy and good hiking!!
2. Horsemtrails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Memorable horse trekkings at the foot of the great mountains Tongariro - Ruapehu - Ngauruhoe.
Reviewed By VikkiA102
Cannot sing praises high enough!! I had the most magical day out on a horse trek with Hone, it really is a must do! The trek took us through beeeeaaaaautiful native forest with the added bonus of an exciting river crossing and a picnic in a remote hut. Having never done an off-trail horse trek like this before, I felt it was the perfect balance between being challenging and exhilarating while also feeling perfectly safe under Hones watch and guidance. Hone is an awesome guide and his passion for the horses and knowledge of the area really shines through. His horses are all gorgeous and having the chance to travel through such a pristine forest with them was a dream come true! Thanks a million Hone and Wai - wonderful people and an amazing experience!
3. Tongariro Northern Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Great Walks season is October - April (see website for exact dates). Outside this period facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazards to consider. Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By miriamviev - Puttershoek, The Netherlands
Amazing hike. Started at the village, then the mangatepopo hut, oturere hut (bit small and crowded) and last but not least the Waihohonu hut (spacious and modern). Had lots of different types of weather but we always had nice views. Loved it!
4. Active Outdoor Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Active Outdoor Adventures provides a shuttle service to the famous Tongariro Crossing which is considered one of the best one day hikes in New Zealand. 19.4 kilometers or 6-8 hours of pure drama and beauty. Walking over a volcanic landscape & passing colored lakes, springs and steaming vents with outstanding views is what attracts thousands of visitors to the Tongariro National Park on a daily basis during summer. Not only do we transport, we emphasize how important the area is to us as Maori with a bit of cultural history & stories when you depart our shuttle all from genuine local drivers.
Reviewed By codykohler - Hong Kong, China
The best part was the driver who explained a bit of history about the hike and the mountains, also sent us off with a traditional prayer before we exited the van. Be sure to have everything packed before you leave your car (including water) once you enter the van hike is on. The parking lot was convient at the end of the hike,
5. Mead's Wall
6. Rotopounamu Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By gregoryd762
We walked on New years Day, so quite a few families etc enjoying the walk, but never crowded. A lovely walk through glorious forest, with lots of information boards about the various native flora along the track. Huge tree ferns and trees like rimu etc.A few side tracks down to the lake for beautiful views. Quite a few native and endemic birds along the track and in the lake, and very loud, non- native, frogs calling from the reed beds. Quite an easy walk mainly, and a fantastic introduction to NZ bush
7. Whakapapa Nature Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 920idal - Uppsala, Sweden
Because of weather conditions the alpine crossing hike was closed, so we did this 21km hike. Beautiful!
8. Taranaki Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By jshigi - Bellevue, United States
2-3 hour hike - Toilet halfway through the hike by the top of the waterfall which was clutch. Beautiful waterfall! Really enjoyed walking through this forest too. Make sure to check the weather, this hike was longer than expected and it started raining towards the end of the hike. Some people got caught in the rain storm when they were just starting the hike.
9. Silica Rapids Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 793gillt - Orewa, New Zealand
Great walk for beginners! Apparently it's been renovated recently and indeed the track was really good. There were quite a few boardwalks and well-maintained steps, and some signs to tell you about the local flora and fauna. I don't like climbing over rocks, or steep up and down hills, so this was the perfect walk for me. I am a nervous walker but didn't slip once. It takes about 75 minutes each way starting just up the road from the visitor's centre. Lots of interesting things to see like the red water in the fast flowing streams, even the rocks are 'painted' red! Then the white of the silica rocks make an interesting contrast. There are many shades of red and green in the plants and trees.
10. Mounds Walk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 11 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By JohnDeereQueen - Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
Highly recommend this short walk. The view from the Mounds is absolutely breathtaking. All three mountains were out of the clouds and looked stunning!!
