Tongariro Northern Circuit

The Tongariro Northern Circuit ( in German: " Tongariro Northern Loop Trail ") is a multi-day hike in the Tongariro National Park on the Volcanic Plateau in the center of the North Island of New Zealand and is one of the so-called New Zealand Great Walks. On a stretch of 48 kilometers of the volcano Mount Ngauruhoe is thereby surrounded. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a section of the circuit. During this one-day tour is committed by about 25,000 hikers a year, there are on the entire circuit is only about 7,000.

Route

The tour leads through a barren and yet versatile volcanic landscape with lava, volcanic craters, crater lakes and glacial valleys. In clear weather, offer spectacular views of the peaks of the three volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Starting point and goal of the tour is usually the Visitors Centre in Whakapapa Village. The time required is approximately 3 to 4 days. The Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains a so-called Great Walk Ticket ready, the paid every walker before the tour and in which the cost of the overnight stay in the cabins located on the route or at the campsites are included.

First stretch

Whakapapa Village → Mangatepopo Hut ( 3-5 hours, 8.5 km ) The first section runs along the Whakapapa track by a strongly eroded, prairie -like landscape. Numerous smaller river beds are crossed. The very jagged peaks of Mount Tongariro and the classic volcanic cone of Mount Ngauruhoe lie ahead before after bypassing the volcanic chimney Pukekaikiore finally Mangatepopo Valley is reached. The Mangatepopo hut is about 5 minutes away from the main road.

Second stretch

Mangatepopo hut → Oturere Hut ( 5-6 hours, 13 km ) This stretch follows the course of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. After initially leisurely hike through the Mangatepopo Valley the 200 meters to the Mangatepopo Saddle are ( to German: devil staircase) along a good track, the so-called Devil 's Staircase replaced in 2008, in a landscape cooled off lava, boulders and volcanic ash between Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro overcome. In Western View Rich pedal shows up in clear weather on the horizon of the mostly snow-capped peak of Mount Taranaki. After passing through the South Craters followed by a further increase to the Red Crater, the highest point of this day tour. After a descent to the turquoise waters of Emerald Lakes, a relatively steep descent follows past bizarre lava formations to Oturere hut. One night in the hut Ketetahi after their damage during the outbreaks of the crater Te Mari in 2012 at the time (March 2014) not possible.

Third track section

Oturere hut → Waihohonu Hut ( 3-4 hours, 7.5 km ) Behind the Oturere hut, the track in almost pathless scree loses without any vegetation. The path meanders further at the foot of Mount Ngauruhoe along and drops into the valley of Waihohonu stream. After a valley with Südbuchenbestand is crossed before the road rises to a ridge. As you descend into the valley beyond the Waihohonu is achieved hut.

Fourth stretch

Waihohonu hut → Whakapapa Village ( 5.5-6 hours, 14 km). The last section of the circular walk follows without steeper descents on or an old transport route along the stream Waihohonu initially for wind-exposed Tama Saddle. From there, branch off side paths to the Tama Lakes from. The main trail continues following offers directly in front of the achievement of Whakapapa Village a visit to the Taranaki Falls. From there, the path along the stream Wairere leads back to the starting point of the Tongariro Northern Circuit. This section is also part of the Round the Mountain Track of Mount Ruapehu.