Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Ruapani Circuit (
Click here
)
5
Whirinaki Track (
Click here
)
TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK
Tongariro National Park (797 sq km) lies in the heart of the North Island. Its landmark fea-
tures are its active volcanoes. Three of them - Mts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro -
form the 'top of the roof' for the North Island.
These mountains are the southern end of a volcanic chain that extends northwest through
the heart of the North Island, past Taupo and Rotorua, to finally reach Whakaari (White) Is-
land. The volcanic nature of the region is responsible for Tongariro's hot springs, boiling
mud pools, fumaroles and craters.
Ruapehu, at 2797m, is the highest mountain on the North Island and its snowfields are the
only legitimate ski area north of Wellington. Northeast of Ruapehu is the almost symmetric-
al cone of Ngauruhoe (2287m), and Tongariro (1967m), the lowest in height and northern-
most of the three peaks.
Since its establishment in 1887, the park has been developed for recreational use. It now
contains the famous Chateau hotel, a golf course, various ski fields and a network of tracks,
many of which pass through bare lava fields and tussock, making Tongariro the best alpine
tramping area in the North Island.
The variety of scenery and recreational activities make Tongariro the most popular na-
tional park in NZ. Many come to ski, but more than 200,000 people arrive each summer to
tramp up, down and around the mountains. The park can get busy, most noticeably on the
popular day walks, but most visitors consider this a small price to pay for the chance to ex-
perience its magic.
The most popular tramps in the park are the Northern Circuit and the Alpine Crossing,
but there are plenty more besides. These range from short ambles to excellent day walks
such as the Whakapapa Valley and Tama Lakes tracks, both of which begin from the nation-
al park visitor centre at Whakapapa. There are also various challenging routes that should
only be attempted by the fit, experienced and well equipped. One of these is the Round-the-
Mountain Track, a remote 71km, four- to six-day tramp circuiting Mt Ruapehu.
History
