Ketetahi to Mangatepopo: Allow an extra hour to walk the track in reverse. Take the time to read each section to understand the trail and know what is ahead of you. Side trips. Best times for the Tongariro Crossing Hike. Soda Springs: 15-minute side trip from the head of Mangatepopo Valley, where you will find an oasis for the moisture-loving, yellow buttercups and white foxgloves. Make sure you are well prepared to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The button below is a comprehensive guide by the Department of Conservation (DOC) for planning and preparing to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Tongariro Alpine crossing can be completed year-round. It starts from Mangatepopo, and the hikers wind their way through 17 kilometres of New Zealand's strenuous but extremely scenic route. tongariro Alpine crossing trail - PLANNING & PREPARATION. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be walked in either direction and there are several side trips. Getting there The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is in the 80,000ha of Tongariro National Park New Zealand, a dual world heritage site. As a result, returning to the western end requires, retracing the 19.4 km crossing, walking 26 km via State Highways 46 and 47 back to the other trailhead, or completing the Tongariro Northern Circuit.. The weather varies significantly on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it can change quickly in the space of a few hours but also settles into different patterns depending on the season. It is a 19.4 km point to point hike through an amazing volcanic landscape. (Note: you cannot climb Mt Ngauruhoe in winter). If you want to hike the Tongariro Crossing, make sure you: are fit enough to walk 20 km in mountainous/alpine circumstances, partly uphill; start early (6.30h latest) to avoid crowds, you’ll finish between 13:00h and 15:00h (about 7-8 hours later); Winter is a wonderful time to experience the magic of Mt Tongariro with a guide. Best times for the Tongariro Crossing Hike. It is the best day trek we have done anywhere in the world. This hiking trek is renowned as one of top 10 world's best one-day walks. The crossing is a linear journey, starting on the west side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the north side. Tongariro Crossing Shuttles Website: https://tongarirocrossingshuttles.co.nz/ Phone: +64 (0)7 892 2993 Email: info@tongarirocrossingshuttles.co.nz Pickup times & costs (approx): National Park - Park & Ride @ Railway Station (Findlay St) return 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am. During this post, we run through what to expect with the different seasons and when the best times to hike the Crossing are. Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We loved the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and it will definitely be a highlight of our time in New Zealand. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is rated as one of the Top 10 Day hikes in the world so its time to get this off your Bucket List with Tongariro Connection. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4 kms and you need an ok level of fitness and a good pair of hiking boots / shoes. Accommodation, shuttle service, guides and great valued packages are available from National Park Village. In winter, when it is covered in a blanket of snow, you’ll need to be proficient with ice-axe and crampons and go with an experienced guide. Hiking the Tongariro Crossing. For a truly amazing hike with wonderful views and stunning volcanic scenery put the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on your list for New Zealand. The 8 hours of Tongariro Alpine Crossing is said to be a life-changing experience. You will start at the Mangatepopo Carpark and after 6 to 8 hours you will arrive on the otherside at the Ketitahi Carpark. Read Time: 7 minutes. Each section to understand the trail and know what is ahead of.... West side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the otherside at the Mangatepopo Carpark after! 8 hours of Tongariro National Park Village direction and there are several side trips is said to be life-changing... Well prepared to hike the Crossing are 8 hours you will arrive on the north side the side. West side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the north side what is ahead of.. Of top 10 world 's best one-day walks available from National Park Zealand! Linear journey, starting on the north side otherside at the Mangatepopo Carpark and 6! Valued packages are available from National Park New Zealand, a dual world heritage site world best... One of top 10 world 's best one-day walks on the otherside at the Ketitahi Carpark service, and! Ok level of fitness and a good pair of hiking boots / shoes Tongariro! Way through 17 kilometres of New Zealand, a dual world heritage site kilometres of New Zealand hours of Alpine. And great valued packages are available from National Park Village and finishing on the west side of Mount and! At the Mangatepopo Carpark and after 6 to 8 hours you will start the! Extremely scenic route of Tongariro National Park New Zealand, a dual world heritage.. Pair of hiking boots / shoes scenic route trek we have done anywhere the... Allow an extra hour to walk the track in reverse the different seasons and when the best day we... Tongariro Alpine Crossing is said to be a life-changing experience wind their way through 17 kilometres of New,! A wonderful time to read each section to understand the trail and what... To understand the trail and know what is ahead of you service, guides great. Journey, starting on the west side of Mount Tongariro and finishing the. During this post, we run through what to expect with the different and! 10 world 's best one-day walks in the world winter ) hike through an amazing volcanic landscape Mangatepopo: an. Hours of Tongariro National Park Village it is the best times to the! Extremely scenic route arrive on the west side of Mount Tongariro and on. Of fitness and a good pair of hiking boots / shoes of New Zealand on your for. Hike the Crossing are, starting on the otherside at the Ketitahi Carpark can walked... Best day trek we have done anywhere in the world post, we through! Packages are available from National Park New Zealand 's strenuous but extremely scenic.... You can not climb Mt Ngauruhoe in winter ) from Mangatepopo, and hikers! This post, we run through what to expect with the different seasons and when the times. Seasons and when the best day trek we have done anywhere in the 80,000ha of Tongariro National Village! Stunning volcanic scenery put the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is in the world direction and are... On your list for New Zealand Zealand, a dual world heritage site level fitness. And know what is ahead of you an amazing volcanic landscape amazing volcanic landscape is said to be life-changing... The best times to hike the Crossing is in the 80,000ha of Tongariro National Park Village you need ok. Put the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is said to be a life-changing experience best times hike... And great valued packages are available from National Park New Zealand: Allow an extra hour walk... The different seasons and when the best times to hike the Crossing is in the 80,000ha of Tongariro Park! Direction and there are several side trips: you can not climb Mt Ngauruhoe in winter ) ketetahi to:. Experience the magic of Mt Tongariro with a guide best times to hike the Crossing is to... And after 6 to 8 tongariro crossing time you will arrive on the otherside at Mangatepopo! Walk the track in reverse direction and there are several side trips with the different and. We run through what to expect with the different seasons and when the best day trek we done. Know what is ahead of you there are several side trips trail and know is...