Tongariro National Park. North Island. New Zealand.
S 39° 12.080 E 175° 32.401
60H E 373934 N 5659865
Established in 1887, Tongariro was the first national park in New Zealand and the fourth in the world. It is also a dual World Heritage area. Please make a genuine visit....Don't just drive by!
Waymark Code: WM4CFT
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 08/05/2008
Views: 74
An vast area surrounding the three central North Island volcanoes of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, the Tongariro National Park is a place of extremes and surprises, a place to explore and remember. From herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateau and active volcanoes, this park has them all.
Some scoria slopes on Mt Ruapehu resemble the moon's surface and other valleys hold surprises such as the giant mountain buttercups near Soda Springs.
The fact that the volcanoes are active doesn't deter people from skiing down their slopes and hiking to their craters. A monitoring system provides early warning of eruptions.
The park's most celebrated activity is the 'Tongariro Alpine Crossing', a day trek that traverses the otherworldly landscape between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Steaming craters, old lava flows and thermal lakes make the walk an unforgettable experience.
At 2797, 2291 and 1968 metres respectively, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro are sizeable volcanoes. Tongariro's huge massif extends over 18 kilometres in length - classic, cone-shaped Ngauruhoe is actually one of Tongariro's vents. Ruapehu had the honour of playing Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The mountains of this national park have deep spiritual significance for the Maori people.
History and Information to download are available at this webpage: Walks In And Around Tongariro National Park
Co-ordinates for the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing are:
S 39° 08.674 E 175° 34.857
PLEASE NOTE: 2013, The Tongariro Crossing is not closed. It is open from the start at Mangatepopo end to the Blue Lake saddle (between Blue Lake and North Crater). Only the last section from this point down to Ketetahi Road remains closed.
To walk the Crossing, walk up to the Blue Lake (or stop earlier than that if you wish) then return the same way down back to Mangatepopo. Shuttle buses drop off and pick up at Mangatepopo.
All the highlights of the Crossing are in the first half – the active craters and coloured lakes, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mangatepopo Valley. So although you do walk the same way back down – you see all the best parts, twice!
Hiking distance is 19 km return, hiking time is 6-8 hours return depending where you walk to. The edge of the Blue Lake is the half way point – so if you walk to here and back to Mangatepopo you complete the same distance as the whole Crossing. You can also still take the side trip to the actual Summit.
The Crossing Trek is NOT CLOSED and still well worth a visit.Visit Instructions:A log will require a recent photograph at the coordinates. Some of these locations will be placed for the scenery, so a gpsr will just ruin the picture.
If you don't have a digital camera post a descriptive log.