Tongariro Northern Circuit

The trail starts at Whakapapa Village, ascending slowly through open tussock grasslands and a volcanic landscape. Along the way, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Ngauruhoe in the distance. It is a very manageable day hike and you will end at Mangatepopo Hut, where you will spend the night with an impressive view of the towering mountain.

The next day is the most iconic and challenging stage of the trail. It starts with an ascent up the Devil’s Staircase until you reach the flat plateau of ash and sand of the South Crater. Once crossed, the trail further climbs to the Red Crater, the circuit’s highest point at 1886m (6188 ft). This part of the trail is steep and exposed, formed mainly by loose scree. At the top, the vivid red and orange colors are proof of the geothermal activity that formed the landscape. From here, descend on the scree to Emerald Lakes. The brilliant green of the lakes and the steaming fumaroles are one of the highlights of the journey. The trail then takes you to the Oturere Valley, a barren area with an insane expanse of black sand and scattered volcanic boulders. You will then arrive at Oturere Hut, where you will still be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the volcanic terrain and spend the night.

The third stage starts with an undulating path through the valley. Unlike the previous day, the trail is now more gentle, transitioning into a more rolling terrain. At first, the landscape is quite gravel-packed with very low vegetation around but, as you slightly ascend, you will be treated to sweeping views of both Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. After leaving the Oturere Valley, the trail enters a more vegetated area. This is a refreshing and very welcomed change of scenery. Continuing onwards, the trail goes through the Waihohonu Valley, which is very different from the volcanic areas and is filled with a shaded native beech forest. The day finishes at Waihohonu Hut, the biggest and most modern hut of the loop. If you have time, from here there are two interesting side trips that you can take. The first one is to Ohinepango Springs, whose waters are crystal clear and remain pure due to its filtration through layers of volcanic rock. The second side trip is to the Waihohonu Historic Hut, built in 1904, which showcases some interesting details of its use by early hikers and tourists.

The final stage loops back to Whakapapa Village. The trail mainly goes through tussock and low vegetation terrain. One of the highlights of this part of the trail is the views you get of Mount Ngauruhoe on one side and Mount Ruapehu on the other side, a dramatic backdrop throughout the first part of the day. Continuing forward, you will gently ascend the saddle between the main two mountains. From here, you can see Lower Tama Lake. It is highly recommended to take the time for a side trip to both Lower and Upper Tama Lake, two empty craters now filled with intense blue water. The final stretch descends going through some scrubland. You will pass the roaring Taranaki Falls before returning to the village where you first started.

Trail difficulty

The Tongariro Northern Circuit is rated as an intermediate difficulty. This is due to its steep ascents, quickly changing weather, and the volcanic terrain. You should be prepared for sections of loose scree, exposed ridgelines, and strong winds. However, the trail is well-marked and maintained.

The best time of the year to hike the Tongariro Northern Circuit is between November and April when weather conditions are more favorable and the trail is free of snow and ice. Even during summertime, the weather in the alpine zones can change rapidly, so you should be prepared for cold and rainy conditions.

Outside the summer months, the trail becomes more challenging and it will require some alpinism experience and equipment due to snowy and icy conditions.

Wear sturdy footwear with a good grip, warm and waterproof layers, such as a base layer with a rain jacket, hiking poles, sunscreen, and sunglasses, as well as a first aid kit. Make sure you bring enough food and snacks for the entirety of the trail and always fill up your water bottle when you can. Bring rubbish bags with you as there are no facilities to dispose of garbage.

For the overnight stays, you will need a sleeping bag, cooking gear, utensils, and a headlamp. Check out the complete gear list for hut-to-hut hikes here.

Even though the Tongariro Northern Circuit is well-marked, a proper navigation tool is recommended such as a map or a GPS device.