Tongariro Alpine Crossing

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Tongariro Alpine Crossing with Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (German about: Alpine Tongariro Crossing; until 2007: Tongariro Crossing ) is a hiking trail in the Tongariro National Park in New Zealand . It is 19.4 kilometers in one direction and can be run in a day. In the summer months, more than 700 tourists hike this way every day; This makes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing one of the most popular hiking trails in New Zealand.

Route description

The starting point is usually the Mangatepopo Valley at an altitude of 1100 m, which initially rises only slightly to the Soda Springs along the river. Shortly after the parking lot, you leave the Magatepopo hat on the left. On the right hand side you can see the inviting climbing walls of the Pukikaikiore. Between Tongariro and Ngauruhoe there is a steep ascent, the so-called Devil's Staircase, to the 1600 m high saddle, from there over the south crater to the highest point of the hiking trail, the 1886 m high and still active Red Crater . Behind the Emerald Lakes with their sulphurous banks, the route descends along the Te wai-whakaiata-o-te-Rangihiroa ( Blue Lake ) to the Ketetahi Hut . Here the path crosses a private property with hot springs before it winds down to the Ketetahi Car Park , located 800 m above sea level in the forest . Side detours to the peaks of the 2291 m high Ngauruhoe or the 1967 m high Tongariro have not been possible since 2018 (in consultation with the local Iwi ) and the corresponding route markings have been removed. In addition, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can largely be run as a section within the Tongariro Northern Circuit - one of a total of nine Great Walks in New Zealand.

Due to its popularity and the risk of breaking into cars, both car parks can be reached by public transport. Hikers should be prepared for the extremely changeable high alpine conditions without vegetation and bring their own drinking water for the day hike. Guided hiking tours are possible.

Department of Conservation scheduling

  • Parking Lot SH47 - Soda Springs : 1–1.5 hours
  • Soda Springs - South Crater : 1 hour
  • South Crater - Red Crater : 1 hour
  • Red Crater - Emerald Lakes : 10 minutes
  • Emerald Lakes - Ketetahi Hut : 1.5 hours
  • Ketetahi Hut - Parking Lot SH46: 2 hours

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Miri Schroeter: Trampers told not to climb Tongariro Crossing's Mount Doom. In: stuff.co.nz. October 16, 2017, accessed January 30, 2018 .

Web links