FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)No, dogs are not recommended. Should I hike the Tongariro Crossing instead? No. The Tongariro Crossing — 17km, about 7 hours — is basically the same as day 1 of our recommended Circuit route, but is much more rushed. The Crossing is fantastic; the most popular day hike in New Zealand. But if you can possibly afford the time, do at least the first 2 days of the Circuit. The second day, crossing the desert, is almost as good as the Crossing — but without the crowds. Another less exciting option is the Waihohonu Traverse, 17km one way, 7-8 hours. It mostly duplicates day 3 or our recommended Circuit route. The only time to consider Waihohonu as a day hike is during winter when Tongariro may be impassable. Waihohonu is lower & more sheltered. When should I hike the Circuit? The Tongariro Circuit is open year round — but we recommend you plan for December to March. The rest of the year snow can ruin your trip, make it dangerous or even impossible. Ice axes & crampons might be needed. Winter hiking experience essential. Check the up-to-date local conditions by contacting locals if you want to hike off-season. Should I tramp in the opposite direction? Yes, but we do not recommend it unless you have a specific reason to do so. The Track seems less crowded if you walk the same direction as the Tongariro Crossing walkers. Most transportation options deliver you to Mangatepopo. Better to climb up the Devil's Staircase, than down. How many days are needed to hike the Circuit? Our recommended route is 3 days, 2 nights: Day 1 = Manatepopo trailhead - Ketetahi Hut (10km plus side trips) If you do not have that much time, tramp just part of the Circuit. The best sections are the first 2 days. There are many alternative ways to hike in this area, of course. We met an elderly couple who have hiked the entire circuit as a loop in one day! That is 50km, though much is flat. No booking is necessary for accommodation — it is first come, first served. Of course the huts may be full on a busy day. If you have only 1 day, the Tongariro Crossing is the hike for you. The finest one-day walk in New Zealand.
In recent years the Crossing has become a tourist pilgrimage. Over a thousand hikers on some busy days rush between the volcanoes to catch their bus on the other side. The Crossing is great, but doing at least two days on the Circuit is twice as great. Circuit hikers have much more time to sidetrip — climb & enjoy a volcano, for example — than day hikers. Have we made our point clearly? Do the Circuit in preference to the Crossing, if you can. What guidebooks do you recommend?
Mark Pickering is one of the most popular hiking authors in New Zealand. But we have found some of his books confusing, even inaccurate, so think twice before using one. For example, in 101 Great Tramps in New Zealand (2001), Pickering & co-author Smith describe Tongariro Crossing as Ketetahi to Whakapapa via Mangatepopa (everyone else describes the Crossing in the opposite direction). If you use Pickering's book you would have a much inferior hike & be walking against traffic. Very, very few hikers take this astonishingly ill-advised route. Get the Lonely Planet hiking guide, for sure! It is essential. Where else can I get up-to-date information?
Hiking Tongariro is so popular that almost every hostel in the region has up-to-date weather forcasts & details on booking transportation. There are surprisingly few useful websites. We’ve linked to them throughout & highlighted some under Links. |
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