A Guide to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a tramping track in New Zealand, and a popular day hike. The park is a World Heritage site, and is renowned for its dual significance. As well as its natural beauty, it’s rich cultural history makes the park a must-see. It’s a challenging trek, but it’s worth every step. Here’s a guide to the Tongariro crossing:

Quick And Easy Fix For Your A Guide To The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a four-mile, 6.4-kilometer trek through the Te Maari Crater. While the trail is primarily a ridgewalk, it’s not a loop trail. The descent is a gradual one and is best done in a day. The last section, a stretch of sandy desert, requires some climbing, and is particularly dangerous in the winter.

Once at the top, the crossing will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Depending on the time of day, it takes between five and seven hours to complete. The road starts in the Mangatepopo Valley, which is carved out during the last ice age. From here, it will start up a long, meandering road before heading up the mountain side to the Ketetahi road end.

Although the Tongariro Crossing is accessible all year round, hiking during the winter months is still risky. This hike passes through a snowy crater, and involves steep, slippery slopes covered with loose scoria. Weather conditions can be unforgiving as well, with rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures. As such, you’ll want to be in good physical shape to tackle this challenging trek.