Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Widely hailed as one of the world's best day hikes, a 19.4-km trek across active volcanic terrain that passes the Red Crater and the Emerald Lakes.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing lies within Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's first national park and a dual World Heritage Site. The trail is 19.4 km long, takes about 6–8 hours one way, and involves roughly 800 meters of ascent. It starts at the Mangatepopo car park and climbs the Devil's Staircase to the South Crater, where you face Ngāuruhoe, the volcano that inspired Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings. The trail then continues up to the highest point, the Red Crater. On the descent, three emerald-green lakes and the Blue Lake come into view, and the trail finally passes through forest down to the Ketetahi car park. You must book a shuttle (the Mangatepopo car park has a 4-hour parking limit), and the drive from Taupō takes about 1.5 hours. Mountain weather changes quickly, so bring a windproof and waterproof jacket and plenty of water and food, and postpone the hike if there are strong winds or heavy rain.
Opening hours
Daytime; shuttle bus about 05:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Tongariro Northern Circuit
- Lake Rotopounamu
- Mount Ngauruhoe
- Tama Lakes
- Tokaanu Thermal Pools
- Tongariro National Trout Centre
- Taranaki Falls
- Whakapapa Village & Visitor Centre