Waikato · Hiking

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

A 12-mile point-to-point route in Waikato, New Zealand.

Tongariro Alpine CrossingPhoto: ogwen, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
12.2 mi
one way
1,380 ft
climb
6,092 ft
high point
Point to point
route

Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 12-mile point-to-point route in Waikato, New Zealand, inside Tongariro National Park. It runs between about 2,500 ft and 6,090 ft above sea level, with roughly 1,380 ft of climbing one way. It is a well-made walking path, fine for most hikers. Most of the way is gravel. It is mapped as a named hiking route, with the sections joined into one trail here. The nearest town is Tūrangi, about 13 miles southwest of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Red Crater, Red Crater and Mount Tongariro. For camping, Whaihohonu campsite is within about 6 miles. There are 3 other mapped trails within about 3 miles, so you can combine or extend the outing. Distances, elevations and the route shape here come from OpenStreetMap and the Copernicus 90 m elevation model. Trails, access rules and conditions change, so check locally before you go.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Mount Tongariro Summit RoutePhoto: Eusebius@Commons, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Tongariro Summit Route

~1 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.9 miles each way (1.8 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Upper Tama Lakes Track

~9 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.6 miles each way (5.2 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Waihohonu Track (Desert Road-Waihohonu)

~9 min drive

A 3.5-mile point-to-point route in Waikato, New Zealand.

Mount Ngāuruhoe Summit RoutePhoto: Javier Sánchez Portero, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Ngāuruhoe Summit Route

~2 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.0 miles each way (2.0 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Dome Summit Track

~16 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.9 miles each way (3.8 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Ridge Track (unmarked)

~12 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.3 miles each way (0.6 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Tokaanu Geothermal WalkPhoto: Pseudopanax at en.wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tokaanu Geothermal Walk

~23 min drive

A 0.4-mile loop in Waikato, New Zealand.

Ridge Walk

~13 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (0.9 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Waipakihi Middle Range RoutePhoto: Jesselawtonnz, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Waipakihi Middle Range Route

~28 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.2 miles each way (2.4 miles round trip) in Waikato, New Zealand.

Whakapapanui Walk

~13 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 1.8 miles each way (3.7 miles round trip) in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand.

Conditions and forecast

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at Tongariro Alpine Crossing for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors