TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT - Plan and prepare - Department of ...
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Plan and prepare TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT Duration: 3–4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 45 km (loop) 25 October 2019 – 30 April 2020
TONGARIRO Elevation profile & track guide
NORTHERN
1800 m
CIRCUIT
1600 m Mangatepopo
Hut and Campsite
20 bunks
17 campers
1400 m
Whakapapa
From alpine herbfields to forests, 1200 m Village
and tranquil lakes to desert-like
1100 m
plateaux, you’ll journey through 4 hr / 9.4 km 5 hr / 12 km
a landscape of stark contrasts
with amazing views at every
turn in this dual World Heritage
site. As the circuit winds past
Mount Tongariro and Mount
Ngauruhoe, you will be dazzled
by dramatic volcanic landscapes
and New Zealand’s rich geological
and ancestral past.
To the north is Lake Taupo, to Day 1: Whakapapa Village Day 2: Mangatepopo Hut to
the east the rugged Kaimanawa to Mangatepopo Hut Oturere Hut
range. On a clear day you may
even catch a glimpse of Mount 4 hours, 9.4 km 5 hours, 12 km
Taranaki on the west coast. Your journey begins by making You join the popular Tongariro Alpine
your way across the eroded Crossing on the second day, crossing
plains of the Tongariro volcanic remnants of lava flows and climbing
The Tongariro Northern Circuit can
complex, a series of explosion steeply up Te Arawhata to the expansive
be hiked in either direction. The track
craters and volcanic cones and Red Crater. Here you’ll be dazzled
is well marked and signposted, but
peaks. Venturing through a by the aptly named Emerald Lakes
some sections may be steep, rough landscape carved out by ancient (Ngā Rotopounamu), and a side trip
or muddy. This brochure describes lava flows and stream beds, you’ll (30-minute return) will take you to the
a 4-day clockwise alpine hike for be dwarfed by the massive cone equally amazing Blue Lake (Te Wai
independent, non-guided walkers, of Mount Ngauruhoe on your Whakaata o te Rangihīroa). These lakes
starting and finishing at Whakapapa right. For the final hour the track are tapu or sacred to Ngāti Tuwharetoa.
Village, during the Great Walks season leads you around Pukekaikiore, Please do not touch the water. You’ll
(25 October 2019 – 30 April 2020). one of Tongariro’s older then leave the Alpine Crossing track
steam vents, before reaching and descend into Oturere valley.
Information about parking restrictions
Mangatepopo Hut. Along this track, you’ll pass through a
is available from the Tongariro
landscape of other-worldly lava forms
National Park Visitor Centre or before reaching Oturere Hut.
the website at www.doc.govt.nz/
tongarironortherncircuit-gettingthere.
utside the Great Walks
O
season (May to October)
walking conditions are more
hazardous – see the safety
information.
COVER : Emerald Lakes, Daniel Deans
Duration: 3–4 days ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Mangatepopo Hut, ©Luc Betbeder;
Distance: 45 km (loop) Emerald Lakes, DOC/90 Seconds; Waihohonu Hut, Janette Asche;
Tramping under a rainbow, Janette Asche
Great Walks season:
RIGHT: Mount Tongariro, Bubs Smith; Pare (artwork), Hayz Isherwood
25 October 2019 –
30 April 2020 MAIN PHOTO: View to Mount Ngauruhoe, Brendan Bombaci (www.kairologic.com)
Oturere
hut campsite
car
park
visitor
centre
Tongariro, shrouded in alpine
Hut and Campsite mists, its gnarled and battle-scarred
26 bunks
14 campers majesty reaching to the sky. Ancient
stories of epic bygone battles, thunder
Waihohonu and lightning relive the time when the
Whakapapa
Hut and Campsite
28 bunks Village Great Mountains fought for the hand of
32 campers
12 campers
the beautiful Pihanga. Tongariro emerged
victorious. A story of love and devotion
that has spanned millennia, from before
the ancient mists of time, from a time
3 hr / 8.1 km 5 hr 45 min / 15.4 km
where the mountains ruled upon the land.
This is the world of Ngāti Hikairo ki
Tongariro. These are the stories of
Ngāti Tuwharetoa and, more importantly,
these are memories of our mountains,
of our Gods and of our tribal history
and identity. They are carried on each
mountain breath, every facet of the
landscape reflects this epic past, each
shadow holds a story, each breeze carries
the whispers of yesterday. Tongariro the
spring of passion, Tongariro the devoted
Day 3: Oturere Hut Day 4: Waihohonu Hut to
to Waihohonu Hut Whakapapa Village lover, Tongariro the source of life-giving
waters, Tongariro the Warrior Mountain,
3 hours, 8.1 km 5 hours 45 min, 15.4 km Tongariro the soul of Tuwharetoa.
On day 3 the circuit You’ll begin your final day following the We the Tangata Whenua – The People
continues through this Waihohonu Stream as you head west of the Land – welcome you to our world.
unique environment. After towards Tama saddle, cradled by the It is a world of reciprocity and respect, of
crossing stream valleys and towering Mount Ngauruhoe on your guardianship and devotion, of stunning
open gravel fields, the track right and Mount Ruapehu on your left. landscapes and epic stories, of deep
gradually sidles around On reaching the Tama saddle, a detour reverence and spirituality. May the
the foothills of Ngauruhoe, will take you to the beautiful Tama lakes guardians of our mountains keep you safe,
before descending into a (Ngā Puna a Tama) – empty craters now may the memory of this experience lie
beech-forested valley and filled with azure blue water. From here, warm in your hearts forever.
crossing a branch of the you’ll pass the tumbling Taranaki Falls
Waihohonu Stream. before returning to your starting point
A steep climb takes you to at Whakapapa Village.
the top of the ridge where
you’ll spot tonight’s stay Ko Ngāti Tuwharetoa te Iwi
at Waihohonu Hut. Ngāti Tuwharetoa is the tribe
Ko Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro te Hapū
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is the sub-tribe
Te Ngaehe Wanikau
(on behalf of Te Rūnanganui o
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro)
Highlights
1
Air New Zealand
partners with the
Department of
Photo: Peter Langlands Conservation to help
bring native birds
2
back to the beautiful
Great Walks.
1 Look for the New Zealand falcon/kārearea,
capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/h and
catching prey up to 6 times their body weight.
Photo: Pauline Sallet
2 Brush up on your botanical knowledge
– the plants in the area vary considerably:
3 4
alpine herbs, tussocks, flaxes, low-growing
shrubs, dense beech forests and, during
summer, a diverse range of beautiful and
unique alpine flowers.
3 ake in Taranaki Falls. Tumbling over the
T
edge of a large lava flow that erupted from
Ruapehu 15,000 years ago, the falls plunge
20 metres into a boulder-ringed pool.
4 Drop into the historic Waihohonu Hut,
the oldest existing mountain hut in
New Zealand. It was the first hut built in
Tongariro National Park in 1904, and the
base for the first recreational skiing in the
park. It was used for over 60 years.
Photo: Kathrin and Stefan Marks Photo: Janette Asche 5 Side trip to Tama lakes
(Ngā Puna a Tama) (1,314 m)
5 From the junction: 20 min return to Lower Tama;
1 hr 30 min return to Upper Tama.
Two in-filled explosion craters are named after
Tamatea, the high chief of the Tākitimu canoe,
who explored the area six centuries ago.
At Lower Tama, volcanic debris is slowly
washing in and filling the crater.
Beware of strong crosswinds on the ridgelines
up to the Upper Tama lake lookout.
Photo: Tony Fernandez
m
a Strea Lake
"
Otam
a wairu
Great Walk hut
Ketetahi
""" Rotoaira
Stream
i
Roadend Shelter
ng
" Great Walk campsite
ra
Tu
47
"
To
Mangatepopo
" Serviced campsite SH47a to
Turangi
er
" Shelter
Whanganui Riv
Kaitaia
" Visitor Centre 47 Ketetahi
Information about parking restrictions
Sulphur is available from the Tongariro
" Car park
"a k a Toilet
Wh
Kerikeri
Hot Springs
NO PUBLIC
RIGHT OF ACCESS
" Lagoon
Te Maari
# 1739m
#
National Park Visitor Centre or the
website at www.doc.govt.nz/
Great Walk
Kaikohe
tongarironortherncircuit-gettingthere.
# Rotopaunga
pa
"
#
Other tracks Blue Lake
Mount
pa
State Highway m
Tongariro (Te Wai Whakaata i Strea
uhounu
¯
ho
Manga
R i v er
Other roads #1967m
#
o te Rangihīroa)
Mangatepopo Hut Soda
Springs Emerald Lakes
and Campsite E WHANGAREI
(Ngā Rotopounamu)
" "" " "
0 1 Km Pukeonake Red
##
Crater
Mangatepopo
ar
k
Roadend Shelter
" Pukekaikiore
Dargaville
#1692m
#
Mount
Ngauruhoe
Na
tio
na
lP #2287m
#
Mangawhai Heads
"" Oturere Hut Great Barrier
and Campsite Island
Tongariro
(Aotea Island)
To
48
National Park Otu
" Wa
ik are
Str
e am
" Wa
ire
re
Str
ea Upper
Tama
#1623m
#
Warkworth
re re S
tr e a
m
m Tama
Taranaki
Tama lakes Orewa
"
E Falls
Whakapapa
Holiday Park " "" " " (Ngā Puna a Tama)
Lower
Helensville
W
Tama
ai
1
ho
Wh
ho
" ""
nu
ak
AUCKLAND Whitianga
apa
St
Tāmaki Makaurau/
re
a
pai
Auckland Visitor Centre
m
E Waihohonu Hut
ti S
Silica SH1 to
and Campsite
t
Saddle Waiouru i
rea
Rapids
nu
"
Cone
" to e
m
# to e
ga am
#
Thames Kauaeranga
Visitor n
Centre
Pukekohe Ma Stre
The map in this brochure is a guide only and *Permission through Rangipo North 6C has been Waiuku
Whangamata
Tuakau
should not be used for navigational purposes. granted by landowners. Please respect this access.
Paeroa
Waihi
Places to stay Getting there
Huntly Te Aroha
Katikati
Te Kohatu
DOC operates 3 huts with campsites
# 1725m #
The Tongariro Northern
Ngaruawahia
Circuit can be
Morrinsville
nearby along the Tongariro Northern ## accessed from the following locations: TAURA
Circuit, which must be booked in Raglan
Whakapapa Village (SH48)
HAMILTON
Matamata
advance during the Great Walks Cambridge
season (25 October 2019 – 30 April Mangatepopo Road (off SH47)
Ketetahi Road (SH46)
Te Awamutu
2020). Whakapapa Holiday Park is a Putaruru
Serviced campsite. See www.doc.govt.nz/ Desert Road (SH1, 35 km south
Photo: Janette Asche R
campsites for details.
Otorohanga
of Turangi) TOKOROA
Te Kuiti
Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites
36 per adult per night; 17 years
$ $15 per adult per night; 17 years 0 25 50 km
and under free (booking required). and under free (booking required).
During the Great Walks season The campsites offer basic
the huts have bunks, mattresses, facilities including toilets, sinks TAUPO
heating, toilets, basic gas and a water supply. Some also Lake
Taupo
cooking facilities, solar-powered have picnic tables and cooking
Taumarunui
lighting and cold running water. shelters. Campers may use hut Waitara
Turangi
A DOC ranger is in residence. facilities, though not the beds.
NEW PLYMOUTH Lepperton TONGARIRO
WHANGANUI NORTHERN CIRCUIT
The huts do not provide food, Oakura
JOURNEY
Inglewood
cooking utensils or showers. National Park
Whakapapa Village
Egmont National Park Visitor Centre Tongariro National
Outside the Great Walks season Dawson Falls Visitor Centre
Park Visitor Centre
Stratford
facilities are greatly reduced
Eltham
and there are no DOC rangers. Opunake
Raetihi
Ohakune
Waiouru
Bookings are not required, huts Normanby
Hawera
and campsites are first come,
first served and fees are reduced. Taihape
See the DOC website for details.
WHANGANUI
What do I do next? Know before you go
Start off at greatwalks. It is important to plan your trip always carry a rain jacket and warm
co.nz/tongariro for more thoroughly to make sure you stay safe. clothing. Check metservice.com for
information. Before you go, know the Outdoor the most up-to-date forecast.
Safety Code – 5 Simple rules to
K now your limits. A good level of
4.
help you #MakeItHomeNZ.
fitness is needed to walk the track.
Book your huts and
Plan your trip. Choose a trip
1. Read about the track carefully to
campsites online at
that fits your abilities. Make sure make sure it suits your abilities.
bookings.doc.govt.nz.
you have enough time to do Always follow the track markers
your walk, plus extra time. Book and signposted tracks – going
Book your transport to and accommodation, transport and off-track can be hazardous, even
from the track with approved transfers to the start/end of the for experienced walkers. Don’t be
DOC shuttle operators: track early. afraid to turn back.
contact the Whakapapa i-SITE Tell someone your plans.
2. Take sufficient supplies. Take
5.
on +64 7 892 3075. Tell someone where you are going the right gear, including extra food,
and when you’ll be back. Ask them to clothing and equipment in case
call emergency services if you haven’t something goes wrong. You’ll have
Buy your food and pack your returned on time. Consider carrying a to carry everything you need, as you
bags – download the Great can’t buy food or equipment at Great
personal locator beacon, as there is no
Walks packing list and make Walks huts or campsites.
cellphone reception on most tracks.
sure you have everything you
need for a 4-day independent Be aware of the weather.
3. You can find more information on
unguided walk. New Zealand’s weather is very safety at www.doc.govt.nz/safety or
changeable. Even if it’s summer or www.adventuresmart.nz.
the forecast is good, you should
ead up on safety and make
R
sure you’re well prepared for your
journey and changeable weather Safety on the Tongariro eruption happens, you may be in
at greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro. Northern Circuit danger. Volcanic risk exists at all
Great Walks season: times, including when the track is
25 October – 30 April 2020 open. If you are uncomfortable with
Check the weather at this risk, we recommend selecting an
metservice.com/mountain/ This track is not recommended for alternative track.
tongariro-national-park and children under the age of 10 due to
In 1887, Ngāti Tuwharetoa’s tuku
make sure you’ve downloaded the exposed mountain environment
of the sacred peaks of Tongariro,
and printed your ticket and and weather that can change quickly.
Ngauruhoe, and part of Ruapehu
official track guide. You can The Tongariro Northern Circuit is to the people of New Zealand
also get a track guide and the difficult terrain – most of it is open, created the Tongariro National
latest weather updates from exposed and on uneven track surfaces. Park. Climbing Mount Ngauruhoe
the Tongariro National Park breaches the tuku, and is also
Visitor Centre. The weather can change suddenly,
from warm and sunny to cold and discouraged because of its unique
wet with strong winds of over 60 km/ hazards and environment. Contact
hr that can close the track. Dress the Tongariro Visitor Centre for
All set! Lace up your boots
warmly as wind-chill danger is more information.
and get hiking. Don’t forget
to share your experience on worse at these times. Go to greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro
facebook.com/GreatWalks. There are several active volcanic ‘Know before you go’ section for
vents along the Tongariro Northern detailed safety information, and ‘What
to take’ section for a comprehensive
For in-depth Circuit: Mount Ngauruhoe, Red
Crater and Te Maari. Volcanic hazard gear list.
local knowledge, visit:
zones surround these vents. If you Remember – your safety is
Tongariro National Park are in one of these zones when an your responsibility
Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 7 892 3729
You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between
Email: tongarirovc@doc.govt.nz
early May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter
greatwalks.co.nz environment in Tongariro National Park is very cold and wet, with ice, snow,
avalanches and short daylight hours.
Published by: To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in
Department of Conservation, Marketing Team backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and the appropriate
PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand alpine skills and equipment.
September 2019 DOC is unable to manage any hazards outside the Great Walks season. Hut facilities
Editing and design: are greatly reduced – with no cooking gas, limited water and no hut wardens or
Creative Services, DOC National Office emergency hut radios.
* Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at
R160827
This publication is produced using paper sourced from
greatwalks.co.nz/tongariro.
well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.You can also read
