The northern approaches to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with, to the left, Te Maari crater steaming, Mt Tongariro in the centre and Mt Ngauruhoe on the far right Track safety is when there is not too much snow and it is safe to hike with cramp-ons without support. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4km of pure rugged New Zealand beauty. For example, if you book Track Safety for October but the snow has all melted away when you call we would update you with the most up to date track conditions and explain your options. National Park Village lies in the heart of the dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park and provides easy access to nearby activities. Best time of year to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. If you are trying the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for the first time, it’s best to go in the summer. The trek can be done in spring, summer, fall, and winter. You need special skills and preparation to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter (June to October). Also, if you book a transport only option but we are only offering fully guided due to snow levels you can either upgrade or cancel for a full refund. We suggest you book Track Safety for July and October. This is when there is snow on the track requiring cramp-ons. View our map of the track. You are equipped with cramp-ons and an ice axe that you are trained in using plus a helmet. Tongariro National Park is a dual World Heritage area due to its outstanding natural features and cultural significance. The track is well mark and you do not require a guide. 2 Shuttle only option (summer conditions) applies when the track is clear from snow and ice. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. When booking ahead of time you are pretty safe to book Fully Guided for August and September. Although beautiful, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, can be dangerous if you are not fully prepared to enter an alpine environment. It can change between ‘Freedom hiking’, ‘Track safety’ and ‘Fully guided’ day by day. What’s Up With The Tongariro Crossing Seasons. Tongariro National Park (/ ˈ t ɒ ŋ ɡ ə r ɪr oʊ /; Māori: [tɔŋaɾiɾɔ]) is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island.It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of mixed cultural and natural values.. Tongariro National Park was the sixth national park established in the world. The Tongariro Crossing is a walk way across the edge of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe including a walk across a lunar like landscape with views of active volcanoes and recent lava flows. Visitors are strongly recommended to not park their vehicles at either end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but park and ride with, n the winter months, from May to October, snow and ice covers much of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track. Website by Tomahawk, How the Tongariro National Park earned its UNESCO Dual World Heritage status, Hiking checklist: What to take on the Tongariro Crossing. Take a look at our selection of images of this natural wonderland. On a busy fine day over 2000 hikers can be hiking the Crossing. At this time of year, you’ll get a feel for the trek without having to deal with ice and snow. Because of this, it can be easy to forget that it is a serious trek over mountainous terrain, made even harder by ice and snow during the winter months. Once you figure out your dates look into what the conditions will be like and dress accordingly. Transport Only Options for November to June. This is usually June, July and October. © 2020 Tongariro Expeditions. As a result, returning to the western end requires, retracing the 19.4 km crossing, walking 26 km via State Highways 46 and 47 back to the other trailhead, or completing the Tongariro Northern Circuit.. If you want to hike the Tongariro Crossing, make sure you: are fit enough to walk 20 km in mountainous/alpine circumstances, partly uphill; start early (6.30h latest) to avoid crowds, you’ll finish between 13:00h and 15:00h (about 7-8 hours later); It will take between 6-9 hours to complete the hike, which doesn’t include the time spent getting to and from the carparks. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is growing in popularity every year. ‘Summer’ is usually November to May. Managing this number of walkers and their impacts is essential. Once you decide on your Transport option then we would put through a partial refund. Hiking the Tongariro Crossing. The Tongariro crossing has been described as the best one-day hike in New Zealand for ages, but has gained a whole new pilgrimage since Lord of the Rings came out. If you book transport only and we end up guiding, your booking is seen as holding a guided spot until you choose to either upgrade or cancel. With snow and ice covering the track, walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter requires special skills and preparation. Fully guided is when you have a trained guide per 8-10 hikers. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is amongst the best one day hikes in the world and is rated the #1 one day hike in New Zealand! We also pick up from Base Camp, and a car park in from of the Tongariro Holiday Park. If you are experienced in hiking with crampons and ice axe and in alpine terrain, you can trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing during these months. You should start walking the crossing between 8-9am. – You should set aside a whole day to hike the Tongariro crossing. Poor visibility on the Tongariro Crossing. 'Winter' is usually August and September. This option includes gear, transport and guide. Conditions in Tongariro National Park change dramatically with the seasons, resulting in a wide variety of habitats. However, every season brings dramatically different Tongariro Crossing weather. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be hiked any time of the year, making it one of the most popular and (at times) crowded trails in New Zealand. Crossing over the foothills of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe, the Northern Circuit requires a moderate level of fitness. The track is open for access all year round and can be hiked during both the winter and summer seasons. It’s a tricky season and we must always be at the top of our game when it comes to judging the track and conditions. The track is well marked and easy to follow. So, what do the seasonal terms mean to us? I hope this helps you to book confidently for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for any season. Tongariro Crossing Weather Tips. Plan the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike for the right time of year. We try our best to accommodate all our guests and make adjustments as we go along, in case you need a different option. The seasons to us on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing are not specific dates on the calendar, oh no. If we cancel you can either get a full refund or transfer to another day. 1 Tongariro Alpine Crossing transport and guiding has three seasons – summer season, winter season and mid season (autumn-spring) – which determine the best way to tackle the Crossing and the costs involved. You will gain 765 meters elevation and lose 1125 meters if you hike from Mangatepopo car park to Ketetahi car park. The reason? My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. The Tongariro Crossing transport services aim to get you to the track for this time. Mangatepopo Car Park to Soda Springs(4.3km) This is the easiest part of the hike, and is flat for the most part. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a one-way 19.4km track. The crossing is a linear journey, starting on the west side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the north side. Getting there They at times have to cut steps or take a detour if needed. and al… October – Track safety In winter, we offer either 'Fully guided' or 'Track Safety'. "So our message is it's a very challenging hike. The spectacular vistas and unique geological features of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing create a perfect setting for some amazing photographs. This is when there is snow on the track requiring cramp-ons. Full refund available up to the day before. Before you start your Tongariro Northern Circuit walk: You need to book huts and/or campsites on the track if you’re walking in the peak season between October and April (bookings are not required if you’re walking in the off-peak season). June – Freedom The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is enjoyed by self-hiking and as the trail is well marked and you are not alone, everyone is going the same way. Shuttle transport recommended for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Overview: December to February – This is the summer season in New Zealand and a time when you’re almost guaranteed no snow on the Tongariro Crossing. During this post, we run through what to expect with the different seasons and when the best times to hike the Crossing are. We have hire gear on the bus if you need it and we give you a map and information sheet. It’s a generally safe time to do a freedom hike (without a guide) of the Tongariro Crossing. It's not necessarily for everyone. November – Freedom hiking. Large parts of the track are hardly wide enough to pass other people, so on busy days, you’re often walking in a line, waiting for the track to get wider so you can pass a slower group of people. Ketetahi car park is a one-way shuttle where you park your car at the end of the track in the morning. The Tongariro Alpine crossing traverses areas with active volcanoes. What season is best for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Winter I n the winter months, from May to October, snow and ice covers much of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Route. At a comfortable speed with plenty of stops for photos (or resting – we are not judging), it takes between 7-8 hours to complete. 'Winter' is usually August and September. This hike takes you through the heart of “Mordor”, passing by “Mount Doom” (and climbing up it, if you’re feeling energetic enough to add 2-3 hours to your day for the side track to the summit). We were told by our shuttle driver that the fog usually disappears once the sun comes up, so we went ahead and started the hike. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4km of pure rugged New Zealand beauty. 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