On the North Island, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New Zealand’s best day walk – and you might recognise the volcanoes from Lord of the Rings.
Walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The blackened, rough-sided rocks sprawled across the horizon make it pretty obvious that the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is no normal mountain walk. Then come the trickling streams, fighting their way through the lava field. They’re a rusty orange colour, an indication of the oxidisation that’s going on in the tumult below the surface. This, though, is merely a hint of things to come.
New Zealand’s best day walk?
In the centre of New Zealand’s North Island, just south of Lake Taupo, this is New Zealand’s most renowned day walk. And justifiably, too, as it provides 19.4km of outrageous spectacle. Linking two car parks within the Tongariro National Park, the route passes through jaw-dropping, cinematic, volcanic landscapes.
South Crater in Tongariro National Park
South Crater feels like it could be a spaceship landing pad carved out on the moon. The vast, dusty field has a white track created through the middle by footprints. And, while a few tufts of hardy grass attempt to break through either side, the landscape is otherwise completely barren. There’s a feeling of a vast amphitheatre – somewhere that an evil galactic emperor might host gladiator-style fights between gigantic armoured aliens.
Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings films
To the left, Mount Tongariro rises towards its summit, but the peak to the right is more recognisable. Ngauruhoe is a perfect volcanic cone, so obviously photogenic that it became Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies. On its slopes, brave climbers are trying to shimmy their way up the treacherous scree slopes at steep angles.
The rest of Mordor comes into view while climbing along the ridge that leads out of South Crater. On the other side is the black, lava-lined Oturere Valley, formed by centuries of eruptions and lava spills.
The Red Crater summit on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The goal, however, is the Red Crater summit, which provides arguably the most incredible views on the whole crossing. The panorama lines up Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, with deep crimson oxide stains spreading out beneath. To the other side is the central crater, where the Emerald Lakes dazzle with remarkably intensity and alarmingly vivid blue-green colours.
The Blue Lake and Te Maari Crater
Further round, an hour’s walk along the track, is the similarly staggering Blue Lake, and the fuming vents of the Te Maari Crater, hissing with menace.
By the end of the walk, legs are tired, but eyes have feasted. The film cameras may no longer be on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, but there’s still an incredible amount of drama.
How to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The best way to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is on a guided tour from National Park Village. Transfers from Taupo are also available, and all necessary equipment is included on winter tours. Bookings should be made in advance.
The cheaper way to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing involves parking at the end of the hike, then getting the shuttle bus to the start. Self-guided audio tours are also available.
More New Zealand travel ideas
If you’ve enjoyed this story on hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, there are other New Zealand articles on Planet Whitley. These include:
- A three week New Zealand travel itinerary.
- Kayaking to the Mine Bay Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo.
- What to do on the Christchurch to Oamaru drive before seeing the blue penguins.
- Sailing an Americas Cup yacht in Auckland.
- The scandalous history of Larnach Castle.
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