Tongariro Crater to Waimarino / National Park

Walking this section

Introduction

Mangatepopo Track — 9km / 3-4 hours - CLOSED

The Mangatepopo Track between Mangatepopo Hut (km 1,143.5) and Whakapapa Village (km 1,172.48) is closed. 

DOC have advised that Mangatepopo Road is used mostly by shuttles and buses and is narrow, windy and dusty, making it unsafe for walkers. They would much prefer hikers take a shuttle or a different route.

Round the Mountain detour

Hikers can bypass Mangatepopo Hut and the closed track by following the new Te Araora route that uses rhe Northern Circuit route clockwise from the Emerald Lakes (km 1,144) past Oturere Campsite, Waihohohu Hut and the Tama Lakes to rejoin the Te Araroa route at Whakapapa Village. Continue from there on the Whakapapaiti Valley Track and Mangahuia Track to reach SH 47 at the Mangahuia Campsite and follow SH 47 for 6.4 km to National Park/Waimarino (km 1,172)

The distance from the Emerald Lakes junction to Whakapapa Village is approximately 28 km. Oturere Hut and Campsite are closed for renovation. Waihohonu Campsite is open.  Waihohonu Hut is bookable with 20% discount for Te Araroa Trail Pass Holders.

Following the Tongariro Northern Circuit track from near the highpoint on the Tongariro Alpine Trail at Emerald Lakes (km 1,144) and past Waihohohu Hut there is an optional longer detour available, using the Round the Mountain Track.  

The Round the Mountain starts from Waihohonu Hut heading south and traverses diverse volcanic, desert and forest landscapes, passing Rangipo Hut, Mangaehuehu Hut, Ohakune Mountain Road, Mangaturuturu Hut and Whakapapaiti Hut to rejoin Te Araroa Trail at km 1,178.4, the start of the Mangahuia Track out to SH 47. It crosses two dramatic swingbridges and takes 2 - 4 days 

The distance form Waihohonu Hut to to rejoin Te Araroa at km 1,178.4 is approximately 48 km

Whakapapaiti Mangahuia Track - 13.5km / 5-6 hours

The track traverses forest, wetlands and open tussock lands. It can be boggy in the wet. The track may be rutted.

Leave the Whakapapa Village on Whakapapaiti Track. It starts opposite the Fire Station, just above the Holiday Park and 250m from the Whakapapa Visitor Centre

Initially, the track flows easily and descends through groves of kaikawaka and cabbage trees amongst the beech forest. 

The track then descends through an open area to a bridged river crossing over the Whakapapaiti Stream before coming across a track intersection.

The Whakapapiti Hut is approximately 3 km up the track to the left.  It is not part of Te Araroa,but is included in the Trail Pass.  Before reaching the hut the track crosses the Whakapapiti Stream.  The crossing over boulders is normally easy but may be difficult after heavy rain

Turn right (northwest) onto the Mangahuia Track and head to the Mangahuia campsite (2-3 hours). There are a few stream crossings on this track, easy to cross in dry weather but can be difficult when the streams are high - take care and be prepared to wait for levels to drop.

Mangahuia Campsite to National Park - 6.5km

From the Mangahuia campsite, walk 500m north on the vehicle track to join SH47. Turn left (west) and follow the road for 6km to the junction with SH4. Turn right (north) into the National Park Village, then turn left (west) onto Findlay Street. It flows into Station Road. At the very end is National Park Railway Station.

Getting there

Northern Start: Mangatepopo Track turnoff, Tongariro National Park

Southern End: Railway Station, Station Road, National Park

Track conditions

Potential Hazards

• Vehicles on road or track
• Poisons & traps
• River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
• Small stream crossings
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Weather extremes
• Few water sources - avoid drinking from streams with high mineral content.

Tongariro (Upper Tama Lake) weather - NIWA

Tongariro (Visitor Centre) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Knoll Ridge Café) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Turoa Giant Café) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Turoa -Waitonga Falls) weather - NIWA

Transport

Getting there/away

• InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 

Transport to trailheads

• Daily to Tongariro Alpine Crossing and 42 Traverse Mountain
• Howards Lodge BBH - 43 Carroll St - P: 07 892 2827 - E: info@howardslodge.co.nz 
• Plateau Lodge - 17 Carroll St - P: 0800 861 861 freephone - E: info@plateaulodge.co.nz
• Tongariro Crossing Shuttles  - P: 07 892 2993 E: info@tongarirocrossingshuttles.co.nz

Accommodation

Trail Pass

Waihohonu Hut - Northern Circuit km 1,156.5
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Rangipo Hut - Round the Mountain Track km12.5
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Mangaehuehu Hut - Round the Mountain Track - Round the Mountain Track km 22.5
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Blyth Hut - Round the Mountain Track - Round the Mountain Track km 26.7
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Mangaturuturu Hut - Round the Mountain Track - Round the Mountain Track km 34.9
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Whakapapaiti Hut - Round the Mountain Track - Round the Mountain Track km 45.6
- 20% discount with The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Mangahuia Campsite - km 1,185.6 - Included in The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Backpackers and tent sites

• Whakapapa Holiday Park — Fully serviced campground nestled in the heart of Tongariro National Park, surrounded by beautiful native trees and rivers. Plenty of bird life. For Te Araroa walkers, we have tent sites, backpacker rooms and a lodge that sleeps 32. Tent sites are $23, Lodge beds are $32.  This includes unlimited internet and full usage of all facilities in a safe and comfortable area.  Our onsite coffee and food cart are welcome when walking up Bruce Road, tired and hungry. Check out the Facebook page for all contact details.
• DOC’s Mangahuia Campsite — 500m off SH 47. Water, toilets and a shelter. Purchase campsite tickets at a Department of Conservation office before your walk. Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1813334-N5660336
• Raetihi Holiday Park - 10 Parapara Road, Raetihi - P: 0800 40 88 88 
• YHA National Park, 4 Findlay St, National Park — P: 07 892 2870 E: nationalpark@yha.co.nz
• Howards Lodge BBH — 43 Carroll St, National Park — P: 07 892 2827 — E: info@howardslodge.co.nz
• Manowhenua Lodge — Cnr of Carroll and Mackenzie Sts, National Park — P: 07 892 2854 — E: info@manowhenualodge.co.nz
• Plateau Lodge — 17 Carroll St, National Park Village — P: 0800 861 861 freephone or 07 892 2993 — E: info@plateaulodge.co.nz

Accommodation suppliers can also help with jet boat bookings for the Whanganui River.

For those walkers detouring to complete the Round the Mountain track or northbound walkers who are busing and hiking from Whanganui, accommodation is available in Raetihi.

Food and supplies

• National Park Service Centre - 1 Waimarino Tokaanu Rd, National Park - P: 07 892 2879 - E: nosedive@xtra.co.nz

Alerts