FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)Where is the Circuit?In Central North Island, New Zealand, the Tongariro Northern Circuit is a highlight of Tongariro National Park. The closest major city is Hamilton. The jumping off point for most hikers is Taupo or Taurangi, though the towns of National Park & Whakapapa Village are even closer. Getting to the Track is easy. Maps.
There are several possible starting points for the Circuit. But we recommend you start at Mangatepopo car park. There are a number of possible exits from the Track. We recommend you finish at Whakapapa village.
Are the volcanos active? Can they be climbed? Ngaurahoe & Ruapehu are very active, Tongariro is not. There are steaming vents & bubbling mud pools en route, especially at Emerald Lakes. Ruapehu erupted in 1945, 1969, 1973, & 1995, for example. But volcanic activity is ongoing. Ngauruhoe has some kind of eruption every 5-8 years! (It was overdue in 2003) Mount St Helen's in the USA, by comparison, erupts every 800 years. On the Circuit you spend quality time with 3 volcanos:
Confusingly, the Tongariro Northern Circuit actually circuits Ngauruhoe, not Tongariro. (The park name is Tongariro.)
Weather permitting, we recommend you climb one of the volcanos:
Ngauruhoe summit is fantastic, but the scramble is epic. Details. Tongariro summit is fun too, but not so high & not as spectacular. Details. You need to make a separate trip to climb Ruapehu. If you are a total volcano nut, consider climbing both volcanos in one day hike. Enter & exit at Mangatepopo trailhead, wait for a day with excellent weather, & bag both peaks. It is a big day but quite realistic if you are relatively fit.
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