Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Whakapapa Village
POP 100 (SUMMER), 300 (WINTER)
Located within the bounds of Tongariro National Park on the lower slopes of Mt Ruape-
hu, Whakapapa Village (pronounced 'fa-ka-pa-pa'; altitude 1140m) is the gateway to the
park, home of the park's visitor centre, and the starting point for numerous walking
tracks.
Activities
Whakapapa Nature Walk
WALKING
Suitable for wheelchairs, this 15-minute loop track begins about 250m above the visitor
centre, passing through beech forest and gardens typical of the park's vegetation zones.
Ridge Track
HIKING
A 30-minute return walk from the village that climbs through beech forest to alpine-
shrub areas for views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
Taranaki Falls Track
HIKING
A two-hour, 6km loop track heads from the village to Taranaki Falls, which plunge 20m
over an old lava flow into a boulder-ringed pool.
Silica Rapids Track
HIKING
From Whakapapa Village this 2½-hour, 7km loop track leads to the Silica Rapids, named
for the silica mineral deposits formed there by rapids on the Waikare Stream.
Tama Lakes Track
HIKING
Part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, starting at Whakapapa Village, this 17km return
track leads to the Tama Lakes, on the Tama Saddle between Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe
(five to six hours return). The upper lake affords fine views of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.
Edge to Edge
EQUIPMENT HIRE
( 0800 800 754;
www.edgetoedge.co.nz
; Skotel Alpine Resort; 1-day full ski gear $35-65, 1-day
snowboard gear $43-71)
Stocks an extensive range of skiing, climbing and alpine gear for
hire.
