Activities in Tongariro National Park
Tracks and walks
- Backcountry huts, located throughout the park, are linked by excellent track systems.
- One of the best one day treks in the country is the traverse of Mount Tongariro (known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing). It can be done as part of the longer Northern Circuit, one of New Zealand's Great Walks.
- There are also many easy, short walks: to spectacular waterfall and fascinating volcanic features and through a variety of landscapes from open herbfields to magnificent podocarp forest.
- The Rimu Track nature walk at Ohakune and the Alpine Walk at Whakapapa are both wheelchair accessible.
- Walks brochures are available from the Whakapapa Visitor Centre and other local visitor centres.
High on the slopes of Mt Tongariro, Ketetahi Hut is part of the Northern Circuit Great Walk. The Ketetahi Track is also a section of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
The climb up to Mt Ruapehu Crater is not a marked route. People wishing to make the climb to the crater should be experienced trampers and well equipped.
Mangawhero Falls, Lake Rotokura, wheelchair accessible Mangawhero Forest Track and the Rimu Track are some short walks you can enjoy around the Ohakune area.
Lake Surprise and Old Blyth tramping tracks are two 5-hour return tramps you can enjoy in the Ohakune area.
It will take you 4 to 5 days to complete the Round the Mountain (Mt Ruapehu) Track at Tongariro National Park.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track passes over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain and takes around 6 - 8 hours to complete.
Winding its way over Mt Tongariro and around Mt Ngauruhoe is the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the Great Walks of New Zealand.
The Waitonga Falls is a 1 hour 30 minutes walk on a well-formed track through mountain beech and kaikawaka forest. The 39 m falls are Tongariro National Park’s highest falls.
Enjoy these walking tracks located within a 30 minutes drive from Whakapapa Village.
These short walks are either accessible on foot from Whakapapa Village or require a short drive to the start of the track.
Winding through stunted beech forest, the 11 km Whakapapaiti Valley Track makes its way to the Whakapapaiti Hut. From here you can continue back to Whakapapa Village.
Other activities
Mountaineering and climbing
Winter routes to the mountain summits are suitable for experienced trampers/climbers only. Rock-climbing is also an option.
Snow sports
Two of New Zealand's largest ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa, are located within the park. Both fields are owned and managed by the same company, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. More information about the ski fields can be obtained from their customer service offices:
Whakapapa: Tel +64 7 892 3738
Turoa: Tel. +64 7 385 8456
Visit the Whakapapa Visitor Centre at the main gateway to Tongariro National Park to learn about the cultural and natural values of the park.