Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Absolutely majestic. Outer worldly landscapes. Bring plenty of water and snacks. The crossing from the drop off back to the car park was about 23km with 900m in elevation gain. The walk is not that hard but beware of the weather! Bring plenty of layers in case of cloud/rain/wind. Better be prepared than sorry and backing out. Be sure to check out the NIWA weather website from the DOC to see cloud coverage 24h in advance.Can be pretty crowded, but worth it nonetheless.Enjoy!

This hike is just under 20 km, including 1200 meters of ascent. It is classed as an alpine half marathon. The weather can change very quickly from relatively warm to very cold, especially at the top. Be prepared and take warm, waterproof clothing and gloves. Hiking poles are also a good idea for the 10 km descent. Spectacular scenery on the downhill side of the highest peak, which also includes the emerald lakes.Safe travels,Mega.

I recently had the opportunity to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand and I must say, it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves hiking and wants to explore the beautiful New Zealand landscape.The hike itself takes anywhere from 6 to 9 hours, depending on your pace. However, the stunning views and the feeling of being on a different planet make it all worth it. In my opinion, it's the best one day walk in New Zealand.When booking for transportation, I would recommend booking the earliest pickup time so you can have more time hiking, as the last pickup is at 5:30pm. Additionally, bringing a walking stick is a good idea as there is a part where you will need to slide down a slope.One important thing to note is that there are no water fountains along the way, so make sure to bring plenty of water with you. Overall, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting New Zealand.

We’ve done it in 6 hours with an 11 year old in early April. The weather was perfect the whole week before that. However on the day we started it became very overcast and windy. We still decided to go ahead. The first couple of hours were pretty easy and we were sweating, but then we were climbing for a couple of hours in the cloud cover and it was so cold up there and we did not have any gloves. That was the most difficult part as we all stopped being able to move and feel our fingers. I was amazed by some people wearing shorts. The last couple of hours down the weather changed again, it was sunny and warm and we were running down the slopes.

I did this route and I loved it so much!Such a magnificent and unique view. The colors are amazing.I believe everyone who visits this country, must do this track.

If you're having doubts about the difficulty of the walk, I would say I am of a moderate fitness and was very daunted but extremely glad I did it! The views were absolutely incredible, the shuttle service was really efficient (I recommend going earlier rather than later as it means a very cold start but never got too hot). Take advantage of the toilets when you can, they're few and far between- especially just after the red crater, the next toilets felt worlds away! Absolutely stunning, moderately challenging walk- some really steep inclines but plenty of places to stop as much as you like and take it at your own pace! I wore walking boots and would recommend gloves (of which I had none) but saw people in a range of clothing from trainers to walking poles and full hiking gear!One of the best hikes I've ever done for sure...and there's a very suggestive rock formation waiting for you at the top of the red crater section...I won't ruin the surprise!

Magical walk, well worth the effort 1st half of the walk is breathtaking and fun. The last half after lakes, the walk down to exit is uneventful.If you are just doing the day tongariro crossing, you do not need to book the Hut as it is only 30 mins from the start of the walk.Unfortunately, Shuttle service is $55 per person, and parking at the start and end of the walk is capped at a few hrs.Check weather before attempting a walk.Ruapahu information center have good weather forecast at entrance

If you're into walking/hiking this is an absolute must-do!  Even if you're not into walking/hiking but have a reasonable fitness level I would recommend this due to its uniqueness and rewarding views.We parked at the Northern end and got the bus to the Western end to start.  The climb up was so interesting, with views of a varied volcanic landscape including a crater, old lava flow and volcano.  Once at the top, the panoramic views and the Emerald Lakes are breathtaking.The descent did drag a little as it's a great distance than the ascent but this didn't stop the Crossing being a highlight of our trip to New Zealand.

100% the best one-day hike in NZ.Should take between 6-8 hours to do. Booked the shuttle with Tongariro Crossing Shuttles (5* service) who pick you up from the carpark at the finish point and take you to the start (walk back to your car).Make sure to bring plenty of food and water, as well as layered clothing, waterproofs and good boots or walking shoes. The weather can be very different on the top, check forecasts before going!I loved the hike, can't wait to go again

Easily visible track. The climb can be challenging; moderate fitness is required. Make sure to bring at least 2L per person and something against the wind, sun and rain, as there is almost no cover from the elements on a lot of the hike. Because of this, it is also essential to know when to turn back. Check the weather before you go; if it is looking bad, it is best to try again another day.Parking has a 4h limit, which is enough to get to the soda springs and back. It took my partner and I around 7 hours to hike up to the summit and back down the same way.