Experience Hiking and Trekking in Ruapehu

With two national parks including one of the few dual listed national parks in the world and several forest parks and conservation areas, Ruapehu is one place you can experience some of New Zealand’s best walking and hiking. 

Below you will find some popular walks, hikes and treks around the Tongariro National Park, the Whanganui National Park and the Pureora Forest Park, along with some important information to note when embarking on independent hiking trips.

World Heritage Tongariro National Park:
While the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most famous trek in the Ruapehu District, there is a wide range of both shorter and longer tracks available.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit - one of New Zealand’s Great Walks winds its way over Mt Tongariro and around Mt Ngauruhoe taking in the Tongariro Crossing. This walk passes through unique and stunning landforms that include volcanic craters and glacial valleys. The full circuit takes three to four days.
 
The Round the Mountain Track is the name given to the 4 to 6 day trek around Mt Ruapehu. For experienced trekkers seeking solitude, magnificent mountain views and a backcountry experience, the Round the Mountain Track is ideal. It can be seen to be a more remote alternative to the popular Tongariro Northern Circuit.

Hikes of less than one day include Tawhai Falls, Taranaki Falls, Tupapakurua Falls and Silica Rapids. These are easily accessible from both Whakapapa Village and National Park Village. Short treks accessible from Ohakune include Waitonga Falls, Mangawhero Falls, Lake Surprise and the Old Blyth Track.

Whanganui National Park:
The most popular walk in the Whanganui National Park is the Bridge to Nowhere that stands as a memorial to the abandoned hopes and dreams of the settlers who tried their best to make a life in this remote valley. The easiest and quickest way to visit the Bridge to Nowhere is by a short jet boat ride from Pipiriki or Whakahoro.   The walk into the bridge is flat and takes around forty minutes each way.  Taking a jet boat one-way and canoeing/kayaking the other is a great way to do this trip.

The Te Maire track at the northern end of the park just outside Taumarunui has walking tracks of up to 3 hours.  Another popular trek in the Whanganui National Park is the overnight Mangapurua Track that starts at Whakahoro and crosses the Bridge to Nowhere.

The four-day Matemateonga Track uses old Maori and early settler trails. The track takes you through the western side of the Whanganui National Park and can be started or finished at Strathmore, approximately a half-day drive from Taumarunui. Transport by jet boat is needed to or from the river end of the track.

Pureora Forest Park:
Located in the northern part of Ruapehu District, close to Ongarue and Waimiha, the park has a range of walks and treks.  The Ketemaringi track takes approximately 4 hours and is accessed via Ongarue Stream Rd. 

For experienced hikers, the 45 kilometre Hauhungaroa Track takes around 3 days crossing the shorter Waihora and Waihaha tracks ending in the Mangakahu Valley in Taumarunui. 

Important Note:
While a key attraction of the national parks and conservation areas are the remote and spectacular wilderness environment, visitors embarking on independent trips must be prepared to carry adequate clothing, food, water, camping and first aid equipment.

* Guided tours.
For inexperienced overnight visitors guided tours are essential.

* Note your fitness level.
While tracks vary in length and level of difficulty, visitors should note the required level of fitness.

* Check weather.
Visitors to Tongariro National Park should always check weather conditions before commencing any trip without the assistance of an experienced alpine guide. Weather changes can be rapid in alpine environments and clothing for all conditions should be carried regardless of the season.

* Note toilet facilities.
These facilities are limited in national parks and conservation areas and visitors should note locations before setting out each day.

* Carry your rubbish.
We ask visitors to stay on the marked tracks and to carry out all rubbish so as to help maintain our pristine environment.

* Obtain hut & camp passes.
Department of Conservation hut and camp passes must be obtained in order to use facilities.  Visitors should note that huts might vary in the types and range of facilities available.