Mt Ngauruhoe, or Mt Doom

The Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Climbing Mt Ngauruhoe

Mt Ngauruhoe crater

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Often called one of the world’s most beautiful one-day hikes, the Tongariro Crossing on New Zealand’s North Island is nothing short of spectacular.

Starting at Mangatepopo car park, the nearly 20k route takes you through an active volcanic area and past stunning alpine lakes.

The Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park and is World Heritage listed. The country’s indigenous people gifted it to the New Zealand government in 1887.

And if you are a Lord of the Rings fan like me, you will be especially excited to set foot on this trail.

The cone-shaped mountain on your right once you’ve tackled the first climb is no other than Mt. Doom!

Its real name is Mt. Ngauruhoe. It’s a tough climb up to 2287m, but the views from above can be spectacular on a clear day.

To avoid the scree and sand slope where rocks are easily kicked loose, it is best to keep left and hike up the rocky ridge.

In late 2015, a tumbling rock on the scree slope injured someone badly enough to see him into hospital.

The other summit you can include during the Tongariro Crossing is Mt. Tongariro at 1967m, which gives you a great view of the imposing cone of Mt. Ngauruhoe from some distance.

I did both peaks on this trek and it took around 8 hours all up. However, I was hiking fast and run ultramarathons, so only attempt that if you’re sure you are fit enough or have late return transportation organized. You don’t want to miss the bus.

The usual recommended time is around 7 hours without the peaks.

Not far from the start, after a good climb, there is also the opportunity to fill up on drinking water from a clean spring. Always make sure to take enough water, as it can get hot. Three liters are recommended.

Sunscreen and lip balm is another thing to be very generous with, as even on a cloudy day, UV rays are fierce in this area and altitude. I used lip balm with SPF but didn’t reapply and ended up with a spectacular sunburn, on my mouth. Ugh!

After the turnoffs to Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro, you’ll head down toward several intensely colored Alpine lakes where’re you’ll pick up a whiff of sulphur. It’s nearly all downhill from there.

On your way toward the plain and Ketetahi car park, you will pass the Te Maari craters, which erupted in 2012 for the first time since 1897.

There are some regions where you may be asked to move quickly to minimize any danger in case there is sudden volcanic activity.

HOW TO GET TO THE TONGARIRO CROSSING

To do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, you can book a bus from either Turangi, National Park or Lake Taupo to drop you off and pick you up at the end of the hike. Most hostels and hotels arrange shuttles or you can book online googling ‘Tongariro Crossing shuttle’.

Alternatively, you can also leave your car at one car park and book a bus to get you to the other one before or after the hike.

From Turingi, drop off and pick up cost about NZD40 to NZD 45. Doing an out-and-back to your parked car is another option.

No matter what you choose, make sure to check the weather and potential warnings about volcanic activity. And if all is clear, enjoy this gorgeous trek – you’ll never forget it.