Towering above the desert in the middle of New Zealand's north island, breathtaking Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano with unimpeded, awe inspiring views reaching all the way to the coast. The remarkable alpine terrain is capped off by its own crater lake, warmed by volcanic activity, steaming at the summit. Mount Ruapehu is enjoyed year round by hikers, skiers, snowboarders, botanists, geologists and nature lovers alike.

Mount Ruapehu
An abundance of historical and natural attractions are coupled with the largest ski area in NZ and a volcanic summer proposition, making Mount Ruapehu one of New Zealand's premier alpine locations.
As a live volcano, there will always be some risk of both eruptions and lahar flow on Mount Ruapehu. To mitigate that risk for outdoor enthusiasts, precautionary measures including sophisticated early warning systems are in place. The last major eruption was in 1996 and the last lahar was in March 2007.
A recommendation remains in place for hikers and climbers not to enter the Mount Ruapehu Summit Hazard Zone. Make sure you check with DOC before embarking on any tracks which may be within this zone or in a known lahar path.