Mt Ruapehu Viewpoint. Tongariro National Park. North Is, New Zealand. - Scenic Overlooks on Waymarking.com

This view is the reward you can enjoy after a climb up the Ridge Track walking trail which starts just above the Whakapapa Visitor Centre, beside the Restrooms chalet on the Bruce Road. Park your vehicle here and begin the long slog uphill on a stepped metal track until you reach a wooden platform (about halfway). You must keep going up the ridge!! Here the track changes to a very narrow gouged out groove, no metal and no steps, going uphill through the dense tussock land and is sometimes hard to follow, until you reach the top of the ridge where the view opens up before you. You can sit on a rock and enjoy the view! The volcano of Mt Ruapehu is immediately in front of you, and Mt Ngauruhoe's volcanic cone lies to your left, eastwards, across the tussock land. You can see the road going up to the skifield on Ruapehu, but you can't reach it from here as steep gullies block your way. Be sure to wear warm clothes, it can be very cold on the ridge, and return the way you came, a lot quicker going downhill. The trail is approx 5kms return.
Please Note: This is a steepish uphill walk but can be done in all seasons, and may be under snow in winter. The wooden platform is only half way there, but the rocks on the ridge top are a good place to have a rest and enjoy the whole view. It can be cold here! Wear suitable hiking shoes and warm clothes. Hiking poles are a help.

Type of overlook: trail Picnic tables: no Benches: no Water/restrooms: no Overlook designation: just a view Elevation: 4,265.00 View: The volcano of Mt Ruapehu and the volcanic cone of Ngauruhoe.

Visit Instructions:
You will need a picture with your GPS of the view and the area. It can't be the same picture as the listing has.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   09/30/2023 Punga and Paua visited it