TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT
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Tongariro norThern CirCuiT Duration: 3 – 4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 43 km (loop) 23 October 2015 – 30 April 2016
Tongariro elevaTion profile & TraCk guide
norThern
CirCuiT
1800 m
1600 m
Mangatepopo
20 bunks
7 campsites
1400 m
From alpine herb fields to forests, Whakapapa
and tranquil lakes to desert-like Village
1200 m
plateaux, you’ll journey through
a landscape of stark contrasts 1100 m
8.5 km / 3 hrs 12.8 km / 5 hrs
with dazzling amazing views at
every turn in this World Heritage
site. Winding its way past Mount
Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe,
you will be dazzled on this circuit
by dramatic volcanic landscapes
and New Zealand’s rich geological
and ancestral past.
To the north is Lake Taupo, to
the east the rugged Kaimanawa Day 1: Whakapapa Village Day 2: Mangatepopo Hut to
to Mangatepopo Hut Oturere Hut
range. On a clear day you may
even catch a glimpse of Mount
Taranaki on the west coast. 3 – 5 hours, 8.5 km 5 hours, 12.8km
Your journey begins by making Your second day joins up with the
The Tongariro Northern Circuit can be your way across the eroded popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing,
walked in either direction. The track is plains of the Tongariro volcanic crossing remnants of lava flows and
well marked and signposted, but some complex, a series of explosion steeply up the Devil’s Staircase to the
craters and volcanic cones and expansive Red Crater. Here you’ll be
sections may be steep, rough or muddy.
peaks. Venturing through a dazzled by the aptly named Emerald
This guide describes a 4-day clockwise
landscape carved out by ancient Lakes, and a (30 minute return) side
alpine hike for independent, non- lava flows and stream beds, you’ll trip will take you to the equally amazing
guided walkers, starting and finishing be dwarfed by the massive cone Blue Lake. Descending into Oturere
at Whakapapa Village, during the Great of Mount Ngauruhoe on your Valley, you’ll pass through a landscape
Walks season (23 October 2015 – 30 right (which you may recognise of other-worldly lava forms before
April 2016). as Mount Doom from The Lord reaching Oturere Hut.
of the Rings). For the final hour
the track leads you around
Outside the Great Walks season Pukekaikiore, one of Tongariro’s
(May to October) walking older steam vents, before
conditions are more hazardous
reaching Mangatepopo Hut.
– see the safety information.
Duration: 3 – 4 days
Distance: 43 km (loop)
Great Walks season:
23 October 2015 –
30 April 2016
hut campsite shelter car park
Oturere
Tongariro, shrouded in alpine
26 bunks mists, its gnarled and battle-scarred
7 campsites
majesty reaching to the sky. Ancient
stories of epic bygone battles, thunder
Waihohonu Whakapapa and lightning relive the time when the
28 bunks Village
7 campsites 44 campsites Great Mountains fought for the hand of
the beautiful Pihanga. Tongariro emerged
victorious. A story of love and devotion
that has spanned millennia, from before
7.5 km / 3 hrs 14.3 km / 5 hrs the ancient mists of time, from a time
where the mountains ruled upon the land.
This is the world of Ngāti Hikairo ki
Tongariro. These are the stories of
Ngāti Tūwharetoa and, more importantly,
these are memories of our mountains,
of our Gods and of our tribal history
and identity. They are carried on each
mountain breath, every facet of the
landscape reflects this epic past, each
shadow holds a story, each breeze carries
the whispers of yesterday. Tongariro the
Day 3: Oturere Hut Day 4: Waihohonu Hut to spring of passion, Tongariro the devoted
to Waihohonu Hut Whakapapa Village lover, Tongariro the source of life-giving
waters, Tongariro the Warrior Mountain,
3 hours, 7.5 km 5 hours, 14.3 km Tongariro the soul of Tūwharetoa.
Day 3 continues through We the Tangata Whenua – The People
You’ll begin your final day following
this unique environment. of the Land – welcome you to our world.
the Waihohonu Stream as you head
After crossing stream It is a world of reciprocity and respect, of
west towards Tama Saddle, cradled by
valleys and open gravel guardianship and devotion, of stunning
the towering Mount Ngaurohoe on
fields, the track gradually landscapes and epic stories, of deep
your left and Mount Ruapehu on your
sidles around the foothills reverence and spirituality. May the
right. On reaching the Tama Saddle,
of Ngauruhoe, before guardians of our mountains keep you safe,
a detour will take you to the beautiful
descending into a beech- may the memory of this experience lie
Tama Lakes – empty craters now filled
forested valley and crossing warm in your hearts forever.
with azure blue water. From here, you’ll
a branch of the Waihohonu pass the tumbling Taranaki Falls before
Stream. A steep climb takes returning to your starting point at
you to the top of the ridge Whakapapa Village.
where you’ll spot tonight’s
Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te Iwi
stay at Waihohonu Hut.
Ngāti Tūwharetoa is the tribe
Ko Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro te Hapū
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is the sub-tribe
Te Ngaehe Wanikau
(on behalf of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo
ki Tongariro)
COVer : emerald Lakes, Daniel Deans
AbOVe Left tO riGHt: track to Mangatepopo Hut, John Strother
emerald Lakes, DOC/90 Seconds; Waihohonu Hut, Janette Asche
taranaki falls, DOC/90 Seconds
riGHt: Mount tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, Te Ngaehe Wanikau
MAiN pHOtO: View to Mount Ngauruhoe, Brendan Bombaci (www.kairologic.com)
highlighTs
Air New Zealand
partners with the
Department of
Photo: Peter Langlands Conservation to help
bring native birds
back to the beautiful
Great Walks.
ook for the New Zealand falcon/kārearea,
L
capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/hr
and catching prey larger than itself.
Photo: stokedforsaturday.com brush up on your botanical knowledge –
the plants in the area vary considerably:
alpine herbs, tussocks, flaxes, low-
growing shrubs, dense beech forests
and, during summer, a diverse range of
beautiful and unique alpine flowers.
take in Taranaki Falls. tumbling over
the edge of a large lava flow that erupted
from ruapehu 15,000 years ago, the
falls plunge 20 metres into a boulder-
ringed pool.
Drop into the orginal Waihohonu Hut,
the oldest existing mountain hut in
New Zealand. it was the first hut built
in tongariro National park in 1904, and
the base for the first recreational skiing.
it was in active use for over 60 years.
Photo: Daniel Deans Photo: Janette Asche
Supporting Kiwi conservation, Kiwis for
kiwi is a national charity that works with
the Department of Conservation (DOC)
to support kiwi conservation projects
across New Zealand. in the nearby
tongariro forest Kiwi Sanctuary (one of
five mainland kiwi sanctuaries), Kiwis for
kiwi and DOC are working together to
trial predator control methods that can
be used elsewhere in the country. for
more information or to join Kiwis for kiwi,
Photo: Andrew Walmsley (andrewwalmsleyphotography.com)
visit www.kiwisforkiwi.org.
WHAKATANE
Te Awamutu Ohope
greatwalks.co.nz
Edgecumbe
Putaruru Opotiki
0800 694 732
Kawerau
ROTORUA
Otorohanga
TOKOROA
geTTing There Te Kuiti
the tongariro Northern Circuit can be
Sign me up! What do I do next?
accessed from the following locations: Murupara
Whakapapa Village (SH48)
LAKE
WAIKAREMOANA
Mangatepopo Road (SH47)
TAUPO
Ketetahi Road (SH47)
Desert Road (SH1, 35 km Taumarunui
Lake
Taupo 1 Start off at greatwalks.co.nz/
Te Urewera
Visitor Centre
tongariro for more information.
south of turangi)
Waitara
Turangi
NEW PLYMOUTH Frasertown
Lepperton TONGARIRO
WHANGANUI NORTHERN CIRCUIT
Oakura Wairoa
JOURNEY
Inglewood
National Park
2
Whakapapa Village
Egmont National Park Visitor Centre Tongariro National Book your huts and campsites
Park Visitor Centre
Dawson Falls Visitor Centre
Stratford
online or in a DOC Visitor Centre.
Eltham Ohakune
Opunake
Raetihi
Waiouru
Normanby NAPIER
Hawera Hawke’s Bay Regional
Visitor Centre
Refer over page
for transport options
and services.
Taihape
3 Book your transport
HASTINGS to and
from the track – operators are
listed online and in this brochure.
0 25 50 km
WHANGANUI Otane
Waipawa
Waipukurau
Marton
plaCes To sTay 4
Bulls
buy your food and pack your
Feilding Dannevirke
bags – download the Great Walks
Ashhurst
packing list and make sure you
Woodville
PALMERSTON
have everything you need for a
Foxton Beach Foxton
NORTH
Pahiatua
4-day independent unguided walk.
Shannon
LEVIN
Eketahuna
Otaki
Photo: Janette Asche 5 read up on safety and make
sure you’re well prepared for your
MASTERTON journey and changeable weather
DOC operates 3 huts with campsites nearby along the Tongariro NorthernCarterton at greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro.
Circuit, which must be booked in advance during the great Walks season
Greytown
Featherston
Make sure you have left your
(23 October 2015 – 30 April 2016). Whakapapa Holiday Park is a Serviced intentions with a trusted contract
at adventuresmart.co.nz.
campsite. See www.doc.govt.nz/campsites forWELLINGTON
details.
LOWER HUTT Martinborough
Pōneke/Wellington
Visitor Centre
Great Walks huts
$32 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (bookings required).
During the Great Walks season the huts have bunks, mattresses,
heating, toilets, basic gas cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and 6 Check the weather, and make sure
you’ve downloaded and printed your
cold running water; and a DOC ranger is in residence. The huts do not ticket and official track guide.
provide food, cooking utensils or showers. You can also get a track guide and
the latest weather updates from the
Outside the Great Walks season facilities are greatly reduced and there
tongariro National park Visitor Centre.
are no wardens. Bookings are not required, huts and campsites are first
come, first served and fees are reduced. See the website for details.
Great Walks Campsites
$14 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (bookings required).
The campsites offer basic facilities including toilets, sinks and a water 7 All set! Lace up your boots and
get hiking. Don’t forget to share
supply. Some also have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Campers your experience on facebook.
may use hut facilities, though not the beds. com/GreatWalks.
EXPERIENCE
TIMELESS
Elegance A great lodge to come back to
for a hot shower and a good
Chateau High Tea, rooms with landscape night’s sleep before and after
views & globally renowned Chateaubriand.
your trek. We provide a shuttle,
free secure luggage storage,
car parking.
www.AdventurenationalPark.co.nz
Adventure Lodge And MoteL
chateau.co.nz 0800 242 832 21 Carroll Street National Park
email: adventurelodge@xtra.co.nz
tongariro national park, new zealand phone: 0800 321 061
GREAT WALKERS DESERVE GREAT HOSTELS
YHA NATIONA
L PARK TONGAR
IRO
The place to stay when you accommodationto Great Walkers.
are doing the crossing and YHA National Park - The closest hostel to
having fun on the slopes. the Northern Circuit and Alpine Crossing,
We cater for all your with transport, rental gear and expert advice.
accommodation needs. Rest & YHA Ohakune - Only 45mins from the
Relax at the end of the day in our Whakapapa Village, a comfortable historicalrical
restaurant / bar and spa pools. villa ideal for relaxing pre and post walk..
www.the-park.co.nz YHA Taupo - Only 1½ hrs from Tongariro ro
rter
National Park, Taupo is ideal for the shorter
The Park hoTel ruaPehu Alpine Crossing section of this walk.
6 Millar St, National Park Village
email: bookings@the-park.co.nz
phone: 07 8922748 or 0800 800 491 YHA.co.nz/great-walks or 0800 278 299
A bed for every
budget from www.ohakune.net.nz
tentsites, powered Ohakune TOP 10 hOliday Park
sites, cabins, self 5 Moore Street Ohakune Canoe Safaris is the most
contained units to email: info@ohakune.net.nz experienced operator on the
4 star + motels. phone: 06 3858561
Whanganui River - running
Call now to book. Guided tours and Canoe
Hire since 1987. The best food
and guides on the river, and
accommodation available at our
ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ROAM ROAM AOteAROA Ohakune base.
Providing transport & Whakapapa Village,
information services to the www.canoesafaris.co.nz
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro Alpine Crossing/
Northern Circuit and all email: info@roam.net.nz Canoe SafariS
places in-between. phone: 0800 762612 6 Tay St, Ohakune
or +64 21 588 734 email: info@canoesafaris.co.nz
www.roam.net.nz
phone: 0800 272335
Step into New Zealand’s Heart…
Lake Waikaremoana, Tongariro, Coromandel
Stay and play in Tongariro
National Park Villages, we have
views of all three volcanoes with
Accommodation, transport,
adventure activities, hire 1 to 12 day hikes in style &
equipment, bars/cafes to suit any comfort with small packs.
budget.
Lodge or hut based.
www.nationalpark.co.nz Request a free brochure:
tongariro national Park Village
National Park www.WalkingLegends.co.nz / 0800 9255 69
7.00am & 8.00am Departures seasON free hot showers for freedom walkers
from National Park Village. sPeCIaL phone0800 hump ridge and quote promo code: shower
We are happy to accommodate
vehicles in our secure car park
Plateau lodge and ShuttleS
for free. Accommodation and 17 Carroll Sreet,
campervan storage is available National Park Village, 3948
at Plateau Lodge. Free call: 0800 861861
www.plateaulodge.co.nz or 07 8922 993
More wilderness
... less people
3-day loop track
BOOK NOW: Packages from
Basic Tramping at $175
to Guided Walking at $1645
p 03 226 6739 or 0800 HUMP RIDGE (486774)
w www.humpridgetrack.co.nz e walk@humpridgetrack.co.nz
PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS
CHECK Freshwater pests, including didymo, can be spread by
a single drop of water or plant fragment. Protect our
waterways – always CHECK, CLEAN, DRY any equipment,
CLEAN including footwear, that comes into contact with the water
before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
DRY For more information see www.mpi.govt.nz (then search
on ‘Check Clean Dry’).
Published by: Editing and design:
Department of Conservation Publishing Team
Marketing Team DOC National Office
PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143
New Zealand October 2015
this publication is produced using paper
sourced from well-managed, renewable and
legally logged forests.
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Know before you go Tongariro Northern Circuit safety
it is important to plan and prepare your trip and the information in this brochure relates to the tongariro Northern Circuit
be well equipped on a Great Walk. before you go, track in the Great Walks season (23 October 2015 – 30 April 2016).
know The Outdoor Safety Code—5 simple rules
this track is not recommended for children under age 10, due to
to help you stay safe:
the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather
1. Plan your trip. book your trip well in advance, conditions.
including your accommodation, transport and the tongariro Northern Circuit is considered challenging terrain –
transfers to the start/end of the track. most of it is open, exposed and on uneven track surfaces.
2. Tell someone your plans. Safety is your the weather can change suddenly, from warm and sunny to cold
responsibility – leave your trip details with a and wet with strong winds of over 60 km/hr that can close the track.
trusted contact. further research on safety Dress warmly as wind-chill danger is worse at these times.
outside of this brochure is essential. See
adventuresmart.org.nz. from red Crater to te Maari craters is an Active Volcanic Hazard
Zone. there is still an increased volcanic risk following the eruption
3. Be aware of the weather. Weather on of the te Maari Crater (near Ketetahi Shelter) in 2012. eruptions are
the track is changeable, so be prepared possible without warning. please pay attention to signs.
and check the forecast before you go. See
Go to greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro ‘Know before you go’ section
metservice.com.
for detailed safety information, and ‘What to take’ section for a
4. Know your limits. A good level of fitness is comprehensive gear list.
required to walk the track. You can expect to
walk up to 6 hours a day, depending on your
fitness and weather conditions, and carry a Outside the Great Walks season. While the track can be walked
pack of up to 15 kg for the whole length of year round, outside the Great Walks season the tongariro Northern
the track. Circuit becomes a more difficult tramping track with additional safety
hazards to consider:
5. Take sufficient supplies. the right outdoor
clothing and gear are essential for your trip. Greatly reduced facilities (no gas cooking facilities, limited water
pack all necessary equipment and your own supply, no DOC rangers or access to emergency radio facilities).
food and drinks (including an extra day’s Alpine winter conditions, including the risk of avalanche, snow storms
supply). food and drinks are not available for and limited daylight hours.
purchase at Great Walks huts or campsites. Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced
and well-equipped people. Alpine and navigation skills are essential for
remember – your safety is your responsibility your survival. for more information see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’
at greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro.
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