The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a popular destination for hikers from all over the world due to its incredible mountain beauty and turquoise lakes.
About Tongariro National Park
The crossing is part of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park.
The Tongariro Crossing is a spiritual and cultural landmark for New Zealanders, with its World Heritage status recognising both the Maori significance of this natural wonder as well as its unique volcanic features.
The park is home to three active volcanic mountains – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, as well as iconic and majestic landscapes.
In 1990, Tongariro was nominated for both natural and cultural World Heritage status. and was inscribed on the heritage list that year for its natural values.
At that time the criteria for cultural World Heritage sites stipulated that there be some tangible evidence of cultural use of the site e.g. a temple, habitation, etc.
Ngauruhoe is famous globally for being Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.
Ruapehu is most well known for its ski fields of Whakapapa and Turoa – popular with Aucklanders in winter who descent on National Park in droves.
The crossing is part of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park.
The Tongariro Crossing is a spiritual and cultural landmark for New Zealanders, with its World Heritage status recognising both the Maori significance of this natural wonder as well as its unique volcanic features.
The park is home to three active volcanic mountains – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, as well as iconic and majestic landscapes.
In 1990, Tongariro was nominated for both natural and cultural World Heritage status. and was inscribed on the heritage list that year for its natural values.
At that time the criteria for cultural World Heritage sites stipulated that there be some tangible evidence of cultural use of the site e.g. a temple, habitation, etc.
Ngauruhoe is famous globally for being Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.
Ruapehu is most well known for its ski fields of Whakapapa and Turoa – popular with Aucklanders in winter who descent on National Park in droves.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Key Facts
- Distance: 19.4 km one way.
- Time Needed: 6 – 8 hr in summer, 8 – 9 in winter.
- Location: Tongariro National Park
- Starts: Mangatepopo Car Park
- Ends: Ketetahi Car Park
Fun Fact: A small percentage of people hike the track in the opposite direction. This means they start at Ketetahi and end at Mangatepopo.
Generally this is not a good idea as the hike will take longer and you’ll have an extra 360 metres of climbing.
It will also mean walking against the flow of human traffic, and uphill over loose rocks – so don’t do it, unless you have a very good reason!
Tongariro Crossing or Tongariro Alpine Crossing?
Until 2007 the crossing was called the “Tongariro Crossing”, but this was changed to the “Tongariro Alpine Crossing” to emphasise the extreme weather conditions that can be experienced on the exposed terrain., especially in winter.
Why is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing So popular?
There are a few reasons why it’s so well-known and loved by locals and tourists alike.
For one, it’s challenging but not too difficult for those who want to do something more than just a hill climb.
It also offers incredible views from every point along the way, as hikers can see both Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro as they make their way across this 19.4km crossing.
Its location is also a factor in it’s popularity. Tongariro National Park, in the central North Island is easy to get to from Auckland (by far NZ’s most populated city) and Wellington.
It’s also just an hour from Taupo, which itself is popular with international tourists which means the crossing becomes relatively easy to do as it’s not too far out of the way for them.