Day 53
Km 20
Cumulative Km 694
An early start with a 05h30 pick up to help beat the crowds a bit as we were setting off on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing- New Zealand’s most popular day hike which sees up to 2,000 hikers per day!!
A 45min drive got us to the start and a chilly start too at near 0 C!
The first few kilometres are easy and have steps and boardwalks. We also saw the snow covered Ruapehue and walked in the shadow of Ngauruhoe- a classic volcano shape. Looking back you can also see the snow covered sharp peak of Mt Taranaki in the distance.
After this section is a longish uphill on stairs and loose rock, scree and sand , to the Red Crater. It is impressive with it’s dark maroon walls. From here you can also see the Emerald Lakes and large Blue Lake.
The downhill from the crater is a controlled, sort of, slide, down the scree mixture.
From here you pass the Blue Lake up close. Then a downhill 10km. Most are pretty easy as there are many zig zags and stairs; all luxuries for us!
The views of Lake Taupo and surrounding areas were spectacular! Especially with our clear day!!
The hike descends through alpine low vegetation, through shrubs and the forests. We also pass through a previous lahar area.
5 replies on “Tongariro Alpine Crossing”
We did it today in the opposite direction.. clear until the decent then drizzle on and off to the end. Bed now 7.45
Glad that the most important part was clear
The views are magnificent, obviously it helps that photographer is very good
Czy ktoras z tych gor jest nie wulakn?
They were all active at one or other stage or now.