Whanganui
Mangatepopo to National Park - OPEN
(North to South)
Mangatepopo Track - 9km / 3-4hr
200m past the turnoff to the Mangatepopo Hut, turn SW onto the Mangatepopo Track.
For the first hour, the track skirts around Pukekaikiore then continues SW across exposed tussock and shrubland.
About 20 minutes before reaching the Whakapapa village, the Track joins the lower Taranaki Falls Track.
Follow it in an easterly direction until it ends at Ngauruhoe Place (100m below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre), Whakapapa Village.
Whakapapaiti Mangahuia Track - 13.5km / 5-6hr
Track traverses forest, wetlands and open tussock lands. Can be boggy in the wet. Track may be rutted.
Leave the Whakapapa Village on Whakapapaiti Track. It starts opposite the Fire Station, just above the Holiday Park & 250m from the Whakapapa Visitor Centre.
Initially, the track undulates for a number of easy climbs and descents through groves of kaikawaka and cabbage trees amongst the beech forest.
The track then descends through an open tussock-covered area to a bridged river crossing over the Whakapapaiti Stream before coming across a track junction.
Turn right (NW) onto the Mangahuia Track and head to the Mangahuia campsite (2-3hr). There are a few stream crossings on this track, straight-forward in dry weather but tricky when the streams are up - take care and be prepared to wait for levels to drop.
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 St. It flows into Station Rd. At the very end is National Park Railway Station.
- 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.
(North to South)
Mangatepopo Track - 9km / 3-4hr
200m past the turnoff to the Mangatepopo Hut, turn SW onto the Mangatepopo Track.
For the first hour, the track skirts around Pukekaikiore then continues SW across exposed tussock and shrubland.
About 20 minutes before reaching the Whakapapa village, the Track joins the lower Taranaki Falls Track.
Follow it in an easterly direction until it ends at Ngauruhoe Place (100m below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre), Whakapapa Village.
Whakapapaiti Mangahuia Track - 13.5km / 5-6hr
Track traverses forest, wetlands and open tussock lands. Can be boggy in the wet. Track may be rutted.
Leave the Whakapapa Village on Whakapapaiti Track. It starts opposite the Fire Station, just above the Holiday Park & 250m from the Whakapapa Visitor Centre.
Initially, the track undulates for a number of easy climbs and descents through groves of kaikawaka and cabbage trees amongst the beech forest.
The track then descends through an open tussock-covered area to a bridged river crossing over the Whakapapaiti Stream before coming across a track junction.
Turn right (NW) onto the Mangahuia Track and head to the Mangahuia campsite (2-3hr). There are a few stream crossings on this track, straight-forward in dry weather but tricky when the streams are up - take care and be prepared to wait for levels to drop.
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 St. It flows into Station Rd. At the very end is National Park Railway Station.
Daily to Tongariro Alpine Crossing & 42 Traverse Mountain
Plateau Shuttles - 17 Carroll St - P: 0800 861 861 freephone - E: shuttle@plateaulodge.co.nz
Accommodation
Howards Lodge BBH - 43 Carroll St, National Park - P: 07 892 2827 - E: info@howardslodge.co.nz
Ski Haus - Cnr of carroll and Mackenzie Sts, National Park - P: 07 892 2854 - E: skihaus@xtra.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 Wanganui River.
- Keep to the track
- No litter
- No dogs
- No horses
- No firearms
- Camp with care
- No fires
- Take all rubbish with you
- Use toilets provided
- Conservation Area - No domestic animals allowed (i.e. includes dogs, cats or birds)
(Start)
- Car park
- Toilets
- DOC’s Mangatepopo Hut is 30min or 1.5km from the Mangatepopo Road carpark, just off the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Topo50 map sheet BH36, E1824389, N5663908).
(On Route)
- Carpark
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Shop
- Accommodation
- Whakapapa Village is en route
(End)
- Carpark
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Shop the National Park petrol station has a wide range of goods
- Phone
- Serviced Campsite
- Accommodation - hotel, motels
- Cafe, pub & restaurant
- DOC Visitor Information Office
