Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The most popular tramps in the park are the Alpine Crossing and Northern Circuit, 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 Na-
tional 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 Ruape-
hu.
Activities
Tramping
The DOC and i-SITE visitor centres at Whakapapa (
Click here
)
, Ohakune (
Click here
)
and Turangi (
Click here
)
have maps and information on walks in the park, as well as cur-
rent track and weather conditions. Each January, DOC offers an excellent guided-walks
program in and around the park; ask at DOC centres for information or book online.
The safest and most popular time to tramp in the national park is December to March,
when the tracks are normally clear of snow and the weather is more settled. In winter
many of the tracks become full alpine adventures, requiring mountaineering experience,
an ice axe and crampons.
Scattered around the park's tramping tracks are 10 huts, most of which are rated
Standard ($5). However, as the Tongariro Northern Circuit is a Great Walk, Mangate-
popo, Oturere and Waihohonu huts are designated Great Walk huts ($32) during the
Great Walk season (mid-October to 30 April). Each hut has gas cookers, heating, cold
running water and good old long-drop toilets, along with communal bunk rooms with
mattresses. Campsites are located next to the huts; the $15 fee allows campers use of the
hut facilities.
Great Walk hut tickets must be obtained in advance, either from the Tongariro Nation-
www.greatwalks.co.nz
)
, or DOC visitor centres nationwide. It will pay to book early during
the Great Walk season. In the off-season, the huts become Standard huts ($5), the gas
cookers are removed, and fees can be paid with Backcountry Hut Passes and tickets.
Tongariro Northern Circuit
TRAMPING
Circumnavigating Ngauruhoe, this four-day, 50km track is a Great Walk for a number of
good reasons. The route can be easily walked in four days from Whakapapa Village,
Mangatepopo Rd or Ketetahi Rd, all regularly serviced by shuttle services. Although
