Situated in the middle of the North Island, and covering almost 80,000 hectares, the Tongariro National Park UNESCO World Heritage site presents awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse terrain easily accessible from a variety of neighbouring towns.
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The Tongariro National Park is most famous for the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike and the largeMount Ruapehu ski fields of Whakapapa and Tūroa. There are so many things to do in Tongariro National Park all year round, from hiking and mountain biking to kayaking, fishing and family activities. Base yourself in or around this stunning location and explore Our Greater Outdoors!
It's Easy to Access Tongariro National Park
Getting to Tongariro National Park is easy, with good
quality roads surrounded by stunning scenery to enjoy along the way.
1hour 20 minutes to 1hour 35 minutes from
Lake Taupō township.
Whakapapa Village is right in the action, just 8 minutes from the Whakapapa Ski Area, and just 35
minutes drive from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Mountains in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is a land of dramatic volcanic landscapes and alpine beauty. These mountains shape the park’s striking scenery and make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking adventure among extraordinary natural beauty.
Mount Tongariro
The park’s namesake, standing at 1,967 meters, is a complex volcano with multiple craters and lava flows. Its varied terrain offers striking volcanic landscapes and alpine scenery, making it a key highlight for hikers.
Mount Ngauruhoe
Often recognized for its near-perfect conical shape, Ngauruhoe rises 2,291 meters. It’s an iconic volcanic peak, famously featured as Mount Doom in films and is a challenging climb for those seeking adventure.
Mount Ruapehu
The tallest in the park at 2,797 meters, Ruapehu is an active stratovolcano with glaciers and crater lakes. It’s a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking and mountaineering in summer.
Hiking, Mountain Biking and Walking in Tongariro National Park
Wherever you stay in Tongariro National Park stunning walks, hikes and year round mountain biking for every age and ability are easy to access, perfect for day trips or multi-day adventures.
Walk the Tongariro Crossing or, for seasoned adventurers, tackle the Round the Mountain track in Tongariro. This incredible hiking track offers diverse volcanic landscapes and alpine vegetation while staying in huts overnight amidst the rugged beauty of Mount Ruapehu.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is open following the recent wildfire in Tongariro National Park.
Most tracks in the Tongariro National Park will also reopen, with the exception of the Mangatepopo Track, which remains closed along with Oturere Hut. Due to fire damage at the Mangatepopo car park, access to the road end is via shuttle only. Private vehicles cannot enter Mangatepopo Road at this time.
Some smoke/ash may still be around, so those with respiratory conditions should take extra care.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing bookings are open via the DOC website.
