The Tongariro Crossing is very weather dependant. For reasons unknown at this time, they had separated from the other two trampers who had gone to Oturere hut. Required fields are marked *. Tongariro Guided Walks (formerly known as Walking Places) has operated as a premium guided walking provider since 2004. I’m from New Zealand and still haven’t done it 😩, Haha don’t worry I’m from the UK and I haven’t seen much of the country at all! The hostel had a heavy backpacker vibe and everyone was super friendly – including the resident dog. NO trainers, runners, gumboots, or slip-ons or any shoe or boot with mesh material. From June to October, snow and ice means alpine skills and experience are essential - it's best to go with guide or choose another track. Just before the end, you’re treated to one final beauty spot, the unofficially named Ketetahi Falls. Temperatures at the top scarcely get above 9℃  but the weather is, for the most part, stable.Â. As if you need any more proof that nature is not a force to be reckoned with! Top 10 Sustainable Glamping Sites in the UK, 11 Easy International Recipes to Try at Home. Doom was based after in the films. Once you’ve made it through the trees to the car park you’re greeted with snacks, refreshments and a well-deserved rest. Â, The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is challenging in winter but I can honestly say that it’s one of my favourite walking trails to date. Three active andesitic volcanoes dominate the scenery of the area. Ketetahi to Mangatepopo: Allow an extra hour to walk the track in reverse. The weather is usually unpredictable and a thick blanket of snow covers the higher points. Chilling winds can blow you off course and temperatures drop to -9℃ or lower.Â, The Tongariro Crossing in winter is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done but I strongly recommend joining a guided tour because it can lead inexperienced hikers into an unforgiving world.Â, I went with Adventure Outdoors, a TripAdvisor approved local tour guide. The crossing is a World Heritage Site, taking in some of Aotearoa’s most stunning natural scenery, including the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here you can get a stunning view of the twin Emerald Lakes that get their colour from the minerals leaching into the water. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do the hike but it’s something I’d like to do next time. Once you come down the other side of the Red Crater, it’s a bit more sheltered. In the summer, it’s a barren reddish-brown landscape marked with craters and volcanic ridges.Â, This part of the trail takes you past Blue Lake, a large cold, acidic lake that’s Tapu (sacred in Maori culture). They will provide most of your equipment for you but it’s still a good idea to have a strong base so you can be comfortable. Read more about the experience of hiking Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter here. Ngauruhoe. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is usually walked from Mangatepopo in the Ruapehu region to Ketetahi Hot Springs, due to the Mangatepopo end being higher in altitude (1,120 m or 3,670 ft) than the Ketetahi Hot Springs end (760 m or 2,490 ft), therefore requiring less climbing. Ngauruhoe is the volcano that Mt. There isn’t anything quite like it.Â. Tongariro Alpine Crossing Winter Guided Walks, Raft Kayaking / Caving EOTC Schools & Groups / Team Building / Corporate Activities Tongariro National Park Follow us on facebook 0800 386 925 info@adventureoutdoors.co.nz It’s disrespectful to touch it, enter it, or eat and drink around its shores. It was so much fun and quite possibly the highlight of my hike. It can rub in the wrong places, restrict mobility and once wet, you’re stuck like that for a while which isn’t ideal in subzero conditions. It was SUCH an incredible experience. As you get closer to the South Crater, the stark rocky landscape will be buried in a blanket of brilliant white snow. Two Responsible Travellers Share Their Top Sustainable ... 8 Essentials for Surviving the Hostel Lifestyle, What it’s Really Like to Travel New Zealand with Kiwi Experience, What is Ecotourism and Why is it Important?Â, The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Solo in New Zealand, The Best Travel Blogging Courses to Skyrocket Your Blog in 2021, 14 Best International Cocktail Recipes With Sustainable Spirits, Best Wine Tasting in New Zealand: Waiheke Island vs Central Otago, 15 Best Ethical Animal Experiences Around the World. You see, Mt. So awesome that you got to do the crossing in winter! Getting there Keen to read about other walking trails in New Zealand? Weather on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is subject to severe alpine condition and can be extreme, particularly on the Red Crater ridge. It was serene and silent. It’s also the crater of a dormant supervolcano that erupted about 1,800 years ago.Â, Taupo has plenty of accommodation that you can arrange your guide and transfer to the Tongariro Crossing through. In the winter however the crowds lessen when the slopes are covered in ice and snow, and crampons + ice axe are needed to make it across. We could have gone around it, of course, but that would have added a few extra hours to the hike. Thanks for sharing. Allow longer in winter conditions. All rights reserved.Â. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be walked in either direction and there are several side trips. Normally, they’re an eye-catching green but during my trip, the snow and ice had covered them leaving only a faded outline. Huge fan of winter but with the word ‘devil’ in it is never going to be reckoned with and on. But you can discover the best ecolodges in the summer Spring and Autumn we sometimes are able to a. 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