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Home , Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, Tongariro National Park, Waiouru

Plan and prepare TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT Duration: 3–4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 45.2 km (loop) 23 October 2020 – 30 April 2021 Elevation profile & track guide Oturere TONGARIRO Hut and Campsite 1800 m 26 bunks 14 campers

NORTHERN 1600 m Mangatepopo Hut and Campsite 20 bunks 17 campers CIRCUIT 1400 m Whakapapa This World Heritage site is a 1200 m Village landscape of stark contrasts. You’ll 1100 m pass alpine vegetation, lush forest, 4 hr / 9.4 km 5 hr 10 min / 12.3 km tranquil lakes and desert-like plateaux, with amazing views at every turn. As the circuit winds past and Mount Ngāuruhoe, you will be dazzled by dramatic volcanic landscapes and ’s rich geological and ancestral past. Day 1: Whakapapa Village Day 2: Mangatepopo Hut to The Tongariro Northern Circuit can to Mangatepopo Hut Oturere Hut be hiked in either direction. The track is well marked and signposted, but 4 hours, 9.4 km 5 hours 10 min, 12.3 km some sections may be steep, rough Your journey begins by making You join the popular Tongariro Alpine or muddy. This brochure describes your way across the eroded Crossing on the second day, crossing a 4-day clockwise alpine hike for plains of the Tongariro volcanic remnants of flows and climbing independent, non-guided walkers, complex, a series of explosion steeply up to the top of Red Crater. starting and finishing at Whakapapa craters and volcanic cones and Here you’ll be dazzled by Emerald Village, during the Great Walks season peaks. Venturing through a Lakes (Ngā Rotopounamu), and a side (23 October 2020 – 30 April 2021). landscape carved out by ancient trip (30-minute return) will take you to lava flows and stream beds, you’ll the equally amazing Blue Lake (Te Wai Information about parking restrictions be dwarfed by the massive cone Whakaata o te Rangihīroa). These lakes is available from the Tongariro of Mount Ngāuruhoe on your are tapu, or sacred, to Ngāti Tuwharetoa. National Park Visitor Centre or right. For the final hour the track Please do not touch the water. You’ll the website at www.doc.govt.nz/ leads you around Pukekaikiore, then leave the Alpine Crossing track tongarironortherncircuit-gettingthere. one of Tongariro’s older and descend into Oturere valley. steam vents, before reaching Along this track, you’ll pass through a Mangatepopo Hut. landscape of other-worldly lava forms before reaching Oturere Hut.

Outside the Great Walks season (May to October) walking conditions are more hazardous – see the safety information.

COVER: Emerald Lakes, Daniel Deans

Duration: 3–4 days ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Mangatepopo Hut, ©Luc Betbeder; Distance: 45.2 km (loop) Emerald Lakes, DOC/90 Seconds; Waihohonu Hut, Janette Asche; Tramping under a rainbow, Janette Asche  Great Walks season: 23 October 2020 – RIGHT: Mount Tongariro, Bubs Smith; Pare (artwork), Hayz Isherwood 30 April 2021 MAIN PHOTO: View to Mount Ngāuruhoe, Brendan Bombaci (www.kairologic.com)

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3 hours 45 min, 5 hours 45 min, 15.4 km ! D nu Silica Ohinepango Str eam 8.1 km On your final day, you’ll head west We the Tangata Whenua – The People Rapids Springs m a e Saddle Cone tr On day three the circuit towards Tama Saddle. On reaching the of the Land – welcome you to our world. # S " ui " n e to It is a world of reciprocity and respect, of to e continues through this Tama Saddle, a detour will take you to n ga Ma unique environment. the beautiful Tama lakes (Ngā Puna a guardianship and devotion, of stunning landscapes and epic stories, of deep JJ JJ After crossing stream Tama) – empty craters now filled with JJ JJ JJ JJ valleys and open gravel azure blue water. From here, you’ll pass reverence and spirituality. May the JJ JJ guardians of our mountains keep you safe, Te Kohatu fields, the track descends the tumbling Taranaki Falls before JJ JJ may the memory of this experience lie JJ JJ #1725m into a beech-forested valley returning to your starting point at # and crosses a branch of the Whakapapa Village. warm in your hearts forever. Waihohonu Stream. A steep climb takes you to the top of the ridge where you’ll spot tonight’s stay at Waihohonu Hut. Ko Ngāti Tuwharetoa te Ngāti Tuwharetoa is the tribe Ko Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro te Hapū Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro is the sub-tribe

Te Ngaehe Wanikau (on behalf of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro)

Cape Reinga

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m a Kauaerangae Saddle Cone Thames tr # WaiouruVisitor SCentre Pukekohe " ui " n e to Whangamata The map in this brochure is a guide only and *Permission through Rangipo North 6C has been Waiuku to e Tuakau n ga should not be used for navigational purposes. granted by landowners. Please respect this access. Ma

JJ JJ Paeroa Waihi JJ JJ Places to stayJJ JJ Getting there JJ Te Aroha JJ Huntly Katikati JJ JJ Te Kohatu JJ JJ #1725m DOC operates 3 huts with campsites The Tongariro NorthernNgaruawahia CircuitMorrinsville can be # nearby along the Tongariro Northern accessed from the following locations: TAURANGA HAMILTON Circuit, which must be booked in Raglan Te Puke  Whakapapa Village (SH48) Matamata advance during the Great Walks Cambridge  Mangatepopo Road (off SH47) season (23 October 2020 – 30 April WHAKATANE Te Awamutu Ohope Edgecumbe 2021). Whakapapa Holiday Park is a  Ketetahi Road (SH46) Putaruru Opotiki

Kawerau Serviced campsite. See www.doc.govt.nz/  Desert Road (SH1, 35 km south Photo: Janette Asche Otorohanga campsites for details. of Turangi) TOKOROA

Te Kuiti Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites

Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ 0 25 50 km Murupara tongarironortherncircuit tongarironortherncircuit for prices. for prices.

During the Great Walks season The campsites offer basic TAUPO GISBORNE the huts have bunks, mattresses, facilities including toilets, sinks Lake Waikaremoana Tauo LAKE Visitor Centre heating, toilets, basic gas and a water supply. Some also WAIKAREMOANA cooking facilities, solar-powered have picnic tables. Campers may Waitara Turangi lighting and cold running water. Frasertown use hut facilities,NEW PLYMOUTH though notLepperton the TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT Oakura Wairoa A DOC ranger is in residence. JOURNEY beds. Inglewood The huts do not provide food, National Park Whakapapa Village Visitor Centre Tongariro National cooking utensils or showers. Park Visitor Centre Dawson Falls Visitor Centre Stratford Outside the Great Walks season Eltham Opunake facilities are greatly reduced Waiouru Normanby and there are no DOC rangers. NAPIER Hawera Bookings are not required, huts and campsites are first come, HASTINGS first served and fees are reduced. See the DOC website for details.

WHANGANUI Otane Waipawa Waipukurau

Marton

Bulls Feilding Dannevirke

Ashhurst Woodville Foxton Beach Foxton Pahiatua

Shannon

LEVIN Eketahuna

Otaki

MASTERTON

Carterton Greytown Featherston

LOWER HUTT Martinborough Pōneke/Wellington Visitor Centre

100 km Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Photo: Peter Langlands Conservation to bring birdsong back to 2 our Great Walks.

1 Look for the /kārearea, capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/h and catching prey up to 6 times their body weight. Brush up on your botanical knowledge Photo: Pauline Sallet 2 – the plants in the area vary considerably: alpine herbs, tussocks, flaxes, low-growing shrubs, dense beech forests and, during 3 4 summer, beautiful and unique alpine flowers. 3 Take in Taranaki Falls. Tumbling over the edge of a large lava flow that erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago, the falls plunge 20 metres into a boulder-ringed pool. 4 Drop into the historic Waihohonu Hut, the oldest existing mountain hut in New Zealand. It was the first hut built in in 1904, and the base for the first recreational skiing in the park. It was used for over 60 years.

Photo: Kathrin and Stefan Marks Photo: Janette Asche 5 Side trip to Tama lakes (Ngā Puna a Tama) (1,314 m) From the junction: 20 min return to Lower Tama; 5 1 hr 30 min return to Upper Tama. Two in-filled explosion craters are named after Tamatea, the high chief of the Tākitimu canoe, who explored the area six centuries ago. At Lower Tama, volcanic debris is slowly washing in and filling the crater. Beware of strong crosswinds on the ridgelines up to the Upper Tama lake lookout. Photo: Tony Fernandez Know before you go What do I do next? It is important to plan your trip thoroughly rain jacket and warm clothing. Check Start off at www.doc.govt. to make sure you stay safe. Before you metservice.com for the most up-to- nz/tongarironortherncircuit go, know the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 date forecast. Simple rules to 4. Know your limits. A good level of for more information. help you #MakeItHomeNZ. fitness is needed to walk the track. 1. Plan your trip. Choose a trip that fits Read about the track carefully to make sure it suits your abilities. Book your huts and your abilities. Make sure you have BOOK enough time to do your walk, plus Always follow the track markers campsites online at extra time. Book accommodation, and signposted tracks – going off- bookings.doc.govt.nz. transport and transfers to the start/ track can be hazardous, even for end of the track early. experienced walkers. Don’t be afraid to turn back. 2. Tell someone your plans. Book your transport to and Tell someone where you are going 5. Take sufficient supplies. Take the from the track with approved and when you’ll be back. Ask them to right gear, including extra food, clothing DOC shuttle operators: call emergency services if you haven’t and equipment in case something goes contact the Whakapapa i-SITE returned on time. Consider carrying a wrong. You’ll have to carry everything on +64 7 892 3075. personal locator beacon, as there is no you need, as you can’t buy food or cellphone reception on most tracks. equipment at Great Walks huts or campsites. 3. Be aware of the weather. New Buy your food and pack your Zealand’s weather is very changeable. You can find more information on safety bags – download the Great Even if it’s summer or the forecast at www.doc.govt.nz/safety or www. adventuresmart.nz. Walks packing list and make is good, you should always carry a sure you have everything you need for a 4-day independent Safety on the Tongariro  In 1887, Ngāti Tuwharetoa’s tuku unguided walk. Northern Circuit of the sacred peaks of Tongariro, Great Walks season: Ngāuruhoe, and part of Ruapehu to 23 October 2020 – 30 April 2021 the people of New Zealand created Read up on safety and make the Tongariro National Park. Climbing sure you’re well prepared for  This track is not recommended for Mount Ngāuruhoe and Mount your journey and changeable children under the age of 10 due to the Tongariro breaches the tuku, and weather at www.doc.govt.nz/ exposed mountain environment and is also discouraged because of its tongarironortherncircuit. weather that can change quickly. unique hazards and environment.  T he Tongariro Northern Circuit is Contact the Tongariro Visitor Centre difficult terrain – most of it is open, for more information. Check the weather at exposed and on uneven track surfaces. metservice.com/mountain/   Go to www.doc.govt.nz/ tongariro-national-park and  T he weather can change suddenly, tongarironortherncircuit ‘Know before make sure you’ve downloaded from warm and sunny to cold and wet you go’ section for detailed safety and printed your ticket and with strong winds of more than information, and ‘What to take’ section official track guide. You can 60 km/hr that can make the track for a comprehensive gear list. also get a track guide and the dangerous. Dress warmly as wind-chill Remember – your safety is latest weather updates from danger is worse at these times. your responsibility the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Volcanic risk Before you go: The Tongariro Northern Circuit passes • know the volcanic risks and what to do through volcanic hazard zones – even when in an eruption, and All set! Lace up your boots • check volcanic activity information on and get hiking. Don’t forget the track is open, volcanic risk is present. the Geonet website (geonet.org.nz). to share your experience on Volcanic monitoring systems monitor activity and mitigate volcanic risk, but won’t ensure facebook.com/docgovtnz. Geothermal hazards your personal safety. If you are uncomfortable There is geothermal activity near Emerald with this risk, choose a different track. Both Lakes. Steam vents (fumaroles) should not For in-depth Red Crater and Ngāuruhoe vents have been be approached – steam is very hot, the local knowledge, visit: active within the last 100 years. ground can be unstable, and severe burns Tongariro National Park are possible. Stay on the marked track at all Visitor Centre times to avoid injury. Phone: +64 7 892 3729 Email: [email protected] You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks early May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter environment in Tongariro National Park is very cold and wet, with ice, snow, avalanches and short daylight hours. Published by: Department of Conservation To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and the appropriate October 2020 alpine skills and equipment. Editing and design: Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no cooking gas, limited water and no hut Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai wardens or emergency hut radios. Creative Services, Department of Conservation For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at

This publication is produced using paper sourced from www.doc.govt.nz/tongarironortherncircuit.

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.