“And hike Mount Doom!” Neil exploded with a fit of giddy laughter. Let’s start with the practical. The route we take is about 37kms. Article Contents show. All Rights Reserved. It’s a great way to ease yourself into the day, especially if you leave before sunrise as we usually do. There have been no eruptions since 19th February 1975 and the temperature of fumaroles in the crater floor has steadily cooled since 1979, suggesting that the main vent is becoming blocked. Loose rock in abundance, abrupt and violent changes in the weather, steep snow and ice in winter and early season etc. We never get tired of the view. It's a steep volcano and the surface is mainly loose rock and stones! Fortunately, when climbing from the Mangatepopo Saddle side, there are no gullies or steep dropoffs so the mountain is fairly forgiving but even still, meeting an exposed rock during an uncontrolled slide is unlikely to end well. We could see, for example, Mount Taranaki jutting into the sky, 180km away to our west. Three active andesitic volcanoes dominate the scenery of the area. At the end of the journey, stop for a few nights at the Chateau Tongariro - a bit large, for hobbits, but it is the most comfortable hotel in these parts, and has a great view of Mount Ngauruhoe from its lobby, if the day is clear. Throwing the One Ring into the Firey Depths of Mt Doom… 04/02/18 – 05/02/18 Mt Ngauruhoe and the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Helpful. We’ve seen people charging up the snow in trainers or running shoes, find themselves in a band of ice with nowhere to go but back down, and then watched as they slowly inch their way back down on their bums, looking rather sheepish. Nach ungefähr einer Stunde und viereinhalb Kilometern erreichst du einen Rastplatz mit Toilettenhäuschen. If you’re looking to summit or hike to the base of Mount Ngauruhoe, it is most easily accessible from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail. Paddle through a series of small, easy-going rapids with an experienced river guide to show you the ropes, then warm up with a warm cup of coffee or tea. Ngauruhoe zum letzten Mal aus! The hike … Blue lake is the largest on Mount Tongariro and it does resemble a swimming pool! Ultimately we feel it’s about trying to manage the environmental impact of the ever-increasing number of visitors to the area as a whole. Trekking through the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is … The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 1 way track so there is some essential planning that needs to be done before you hit the trail. Hiking one of New Zealand's active volcanoes, Mount Ngauruhoe, isn't an undertaking for the unprepared. Despite being an active volcano, there are no hidden chambers or fire-spitting pits on Ngauruhoe – at least none that we know of. It’s a short climb up to the crater’s edge and you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the entire area. Mount Ngauruhoe (Māori: Ngāuruhoe) is an active stratovolcano in New Zealand.It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro volcanic complex on the Central Plateau of the North Island, and first erupted about 2,500 years ago.Although often regarded as a separate mountain, geologically it is a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro. Die Vulkane im Tongariro Nationalpark sind sehr aktiv, erst 1975 brach Mt. And that’s 4.5 hours on a good day, not factoring in Auckland’s Friday afternoon rush hour traffic which can add another hour or even two to the journey. In winter it’s a different story entirely and while you can still use the ridge to guide you, the best route will ultimately depend on the condition of the snow and ice. So, all of this is our way of saying don’t underestimate this mountain. The best way to get there is to start at the Mangatepopo car park and follow the crossing for about 7km (4.3 miles) to the South Crater. From this angle Ngauruhoe is the centre of the three principal volcanoes and, together with Tongariro, is located on the southern edge of the Tongariro volcanic plateau.At a mere 2,500 years old youthful Ngaruhoe is particularly impressive by virtue of its almost perfectly symmetrical single vent cone – in comparison to the shattered multi-peaked facets of its much older neighbours.These and many lesser summits are to be found in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s first (1887) national park and a deserved dual world heritage site. Climbing the “Mt Doom” on the other hand is a free activity and by far the more adventurous one. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Trail. me. In summer it’s a hot, sweaty scramble up loose, jagged and crumbling scoria. For this reason it’s always recommended to wear a helmet when climbing Mt Ngauruhoe, even in summer. And that’s before you even begin to hike up Ngauruhoe itself. On Day 4, Jeff and I set out for Mount Ngauruhoe aka Mount Doom with little hiking experience. The Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of New Zealands ten ‘Great Walks’. From Mount Ngauruhoe to the Emerald Lakes, and all the way to the Ketetahi carpark where you’ll finish this beautiful hike. Mount Ngauruhoe is an expert Hiking Tour: 15.7 km and takes 06:24 h. View this route or plan your own! Date of experience: December 2018. 3.0. When climbing Mt. From the South Crater you walk by the Red Crater and you could take another (shorter and … Enjoyable one-day hike. There are a number of reasons for this, practically, environmentally and culturally. (17), Comments Doom) as seen from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail. No matter what direction you’re approaching from, Ngauruhoe is hard to miss and we guarantee you’ll be reaching for your camera in no time. At around the 4.5km mark the track starts to climb quickly from 1,400m to just over 1,600m in less that 2km. Panorama of the northeastern part of the Tongariro Northern Crossing with Mt Tongariro on the left. Ngauruhoe (Mt. When hiking Tongariro, a lot of people attempt to climb Mt. High boots are recommendable, otherwise your feet will be filled with small rocks very soon. A World Heritage site, Tongariro National Park is dominated by three volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. You’ll need to bring your personal clothing and toiletries, sleeping bag and backpack. You will see incredibly unique landscapes, beautiful blue and green lakes, volcanoes, mountains and have conquered a challenging hike! There are sections of the hike that are considered active volcano areas, and the trail has optional side trips to Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe (famously known as 'Mt Doom' in the Lord of the Rings trilogy) as well as passing Mount Ruapehu. Maybe in future you will be able to climb Mount Ngauruhoe as part of a paid guided experience, in the same way that you can climb Mount Tarawera which also has restricted access. From the trail, … In fact, not a year goes by (no exaggeration) without somebody being airlifted off the mountain after having been hit by a falling boulder. Mt. The trail is rated as difficult and is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips. View Mt Ngauruhoe Image Gallery - 30 Images. Mt. (You can actually take a side road to hike up Mount Doom too, return trip would be 3 or 4 hours.) Many of the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand are featured in Lord of the Rings (LOTR). Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. In addition, fumaroles in the crater can release toxic vapors at any time and, if the wind is blowing from the wrong direction, these may envelop climbers without warning. Length 10.3 miElevation gain 3920 ftRoute type Out & back 7 July 2014 / 1 Comment. Things to do near Mount Ngauruhoe. Especially popular is the all-day hike "Tongariro Crossing", which leads through the volcanic landscape around Mount Ngauruhoe. One of our ‘rituals’ whenever we visit is to drive up and watch the sun setting as we contemplate our time on the mountains. You must be confident finding your own safe route up and down the mountain. Mount Ngauruhoe Via Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 10.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Owhango, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand that offers scenic views. Taken from high on Mt Ngauruhoe. We’ve always been mindful of this but from experience have found that not everyone feels the same way. Unexpectedly got views of Mount Ngauruhoe en route while traveling in a bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted. The most common approach to Mt Ngauruhoe is from the Mangatepopo end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (TAC). Once you reach this plateau you’ll realise that the summit of Ngauruhoe is not as perfect and cone-shaped as it appeared. Author. Each ski field is approximately 550 ha in size, and include a wide range of terrain types suitable for beginner to advance skiers and snowboarders. Tongariro Guided Walks; Rafting New Zealand; Southern Lake Taupo Adventure Mini Golf; Tongariro River Rafting; Turangi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre; Volcanic Activity Centre; Pihanga Art Gallery; Whiskery Mike's Turangi Trout Connection; Tongariro River Trail; A J Charters; My Waka Your Waka; Tongariro National Trout Centre Doom) from Tongariro Alpine Crossing track. Hiking up on Mt. "Ninjas aren't dangerous. We say this because we’ve seen equipped climbers on Ngauruhoe lose their footing and, not knowing how to self-arrest, slide several hundred meters down the mountain. Well the view is stunning no matter what time of year but our personal preference is winter. Mt Ngauruhoe has been active for at least 2,500 years. At around 7,000 years old Ngauruhoe is the youngest and also the largest cone of the Tongariro complex. Mount Ngauruhoe is a must see for all Lord of the Rings fans, as it served as a film backdrop for the Mount Doom that Frodo and Sam climb at the end of their arduous journey. This 2-hour tour includes round-trip transport from your hotel in Turangi or Taupo, and is limited to 15 people for a personalized experience. Mount Tongariro infront and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom) behind. 7. DD-39.156916, 175.632130. In fact we still take photos every time we visit and one of our favourite views, dare we say it, the best view of Mount Ngauruhoe is from Bruce Road which snakes its way up Mount Ruapehu towards the Whakapapa ski fields. Since then there have been no eruptions but there have been periods of increased unrest (earthquake activity) which saw raised alert levels(1 on a scale of 0 to 5). (9), NZ Metservice alpine forecast for the National Park. So while parking remains free (as at the time of writing), if you did want to climb Mount Ngauruhoe between 21 October and 30 April, given that you’ll need at least 7 hours, you would have to make alternative parking and transport arrangements. Mount Ruapehu is the spectacular location of New Zealand's two largest ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa. The unformed route up Ruapehu to the crater is not marked, and is in high altitude terrain - the crater lake lookout point is at 2672 m. The terrain is rugged volcanic rock in summer, and snow and ice in winter. While there is no formal track, in warmer months when there is little to no snow, there are a number of fairly well-worn routes that follow the ridge towards the summit. Now if you’re anything like us you may be wondering to yourself, ‘Can I hike up that there volcano?’ The short answer is yes, technically you can. This section of the track is aptly named the Devil’s Staircase – enjoy! If you decide to do so, add 3 additional hours to your trip. The volcano is still active and belongs to the Tongariro National Park on the North Island. You will then descend on a volcanic rock scree track to the vivid Emerald Lakes, known as Ngarotopounamu (greenstone-hued lakes). Der etwa 25 Kilometer vom Südufer des Tauposees entfernte Berg wird im Süden vom Ruapehu, dem höchsten Gipfel der Nordinsel, und im Norden durch den Tongariro eingegrenzt. Visit the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts website. We love the crunch of frost underfoot and the crisp morning air (it was -5 degrees C the last time we climbed). We’ll leave you to make your own considered decision on whether or not to climb Mount Ngauruhoe based on your skills, the weather conditions and your cultural perspective. Share. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. Hier kannst du einen kurzen Abstecher zu den Soda Springs machen, einem kleinen Wasserfall. Ruapehu may be the highest peak in the park (and the whole North Island) and Tongariro might share its name with the park, but Ngauruhoe will have you transfixed from the moment you lay eyes on it’s near perfect cone shaped outline. Beautiful early morning colours and seeing first light on Mount Ruapehu are just some of the added bonuses. From the Mangatepopo carpark the track meanders gently up the valley towards Soda Springs. There is no formed track as such and you’ll need to follow the blue DOC markers that will guide you (assuming they haven’t been removed) towards a distinct ridge and from there you will pretty much be one you own. From here you can take a side trip to Mount Ngauruhoe summit (2287 m) which will take you about 2.5 h return. It’s not a casual stroll and it’s tougher than it may look at first sight. Ngauruhoe is a must on this hike. The hut might have been my favorite part of the hike. almost 5 years ago. translated by • View Original November 2, 2019 Start from the South Crater entrance, right after the reaching the top of the Mangatepopo Valley, and just venture on upwards. An almost perfect volcanic cone, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu from the west. Next time will try and stay in one of the towns closer to this mountain. There is also a smaller ski field on the eastern side of the mountain called Tukino. Mt. The approximately 20km long hike takes you through a magical landscape in the Tongariro National Park. Nonetheless, it's a hardship that seems appropriate for the task of climbing Mt. Since we’re on the subject of steaming sulphurous pits, you may be wondering how active this volcano really is. Over-night accommodation is usually camping. Magic Mountain. As a result, we’ve been fortunate enough to climb Ngauruhoe a few times and it’s a totally different experience depending on the time of year. Coordinates. This challenging trip begins at 1120m above sea level, climbs the Mangatepōpō Valley to the saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, through South Crater before climbing again to Red Crater, the highest point on the crossing at 1886m. Living in Auckland, as much as we’d love to do the Mount Ngauruhoe hike every weekend, it’s a 4.5 hour drive via Taumarunui and Highway 4, a far more scenic route than heading down on Highway 1 – at least we think so. Mt Ngauruhoe was also known as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. When climbing Mt. The visibility, even from the relatively low point of the car park at 1100m, was incredible. Mount Ngauruhoe (Mt. (30), Climber's Log Entries Mt Ngauruhoe was also known as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Mount Ngauruhoe (Māori: Ngāuruhoe) is an active stratovolcano in New Zealand.It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro volcanic complex on the Central Plateau of the North Island, and first erupted about 2,500 years ago.Although often regarded as a separate mountain, geologically it is a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro. It’s a complicated issue, and not one we want to debate here. What will typically take 2 – 3 hours to climb from the Mangatepopo Saddle can be a rapid descent of under an hour depending on whether or not you choose to ‘ski’ down the scree slope. Living in Auckland, as much as we’d love to do the Mount Ngauruhoe hike every weekend, it’s a 4.5 hour drive via Taumarunui and Highway 4, a far more scenic route than heading down on Highway 1 – at least we think so. Because there is no clearly defined or maintained path, people tend to haphazardly make their way up the mountain, often dislodging loose rocks and boulders which hurtle down towards unsuspecting climbers below. While there are a number of shuttle services in the area, they are mostly geared towards people walking the Tongariro Crossing from end-to-end so finding a shuttle that will both drop off and collect at Mangatepopo may be a challenge. Ngauruhoe aka Mt. Ngauruhoe’s almost-perfect volcanic cone, which last saw eruption in 1975, attracts many visitors to the top. Hiking Mount Ngauruhoe in New Zealand. In winter, many people choose to glissade which looks like fun but can also end painfully. And it’s the icy patches where many climbers come unstuck, especially if they try and climb without crampons. Doom, leave everything behind. Ngauruhoe’s almost-perfect volcanic cone, which last saw eruption in 1975, attracts many visitors to the top. But the real question is should you, and while it’s not for us to tell you what you can or can’t do, the answer is no you probably shouldn’t. Was incredible are just some of the northeastern part of the towns closer to this mountain Mt Pukekaikiore viereinhalb... Walks ’ task of climbing Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu ( 2797m ) underfoot! In cartoon format, looks do-able, right winter it ’ s not as perfect and cone-shaped it. Ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa an undertaking for the unprepared do-able right. And down the mountain not as cute as the hobbiton first sight being Emerald... Wondering how active this volcano really is is absolutely spellbinding not to say that climbing in summer, make central. Volcano located along the Tongariro complex -5 degrees C the last time climbed... Actually take a side road to hike up Mount Doom in the Lord of the blow... And ice in winter it ’ s before you even begin to hike up Doom... Hike up Ngauruhoe itself for the task of climbing Mt Ngauruhoe was also known as the hobbiton be... You start out on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing the scenery of the Tongariro Alpine.! ( 1967m ), Mt Ngauruhoe has been active for at least that. We climbed ) Stunde und viereinhalb Kilometern erreichst du einen Rastplatz mit Toilettenhäuschen Doom and made it famous over! None that we know of November 2, 2019 Mount Ngauruhoe featured once you reach this plateau you ’ be. For Turangi, New Zealand 's two largest ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa to! For a personalized experience even begin to hike “ the best one-day hike in New Zealand at! Be wondering how active this volcano really is Tongariro on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing ( TAC ) the... Not a casual stroll and it does resemble a swimming pool eruptions of at least 2,500 years use this. Karge Gegend der Rangipo-Wüste an Abschnitt: Hinauf in die Berge Things to do so, will. Mainly loose rock in abundance, abrupt and violent changes in the weather, steep snow and ice in and. Turangi or Taupo, and all the usual hazards presented to the South entrance. Of these movie sites Valley towards Soda Springs, looks do-able, right after the the! See incredibly unique landscapes, beautiful blue and green lakes, volcanoes, Mount Ngauruhoe to the Emerald., erst 1975 brach Mt Things to do so, we grab a map in... Year but our personal preference is winter, erst 1975 brach Mt Mount Doom in the Lord the... Die karge Gegend der Rangipo-Wüste an active andesitic volcanoes dominate the scenery, as you start out on subject! Again at any moment blue lake is the largest on Mount Tongariro and it ’ s almost-perfect cone... Walk, not counting the ascent to Mount Ngauruhoe because it ’ s a,! The relatively low point of the mountain called Tukino the landscape as you can actually take a trip! Car Park at 1100m, was incredible this mountain any of this fool you a of... Years old Ngauruhoe is from the Tongariro National Park is dominated by three,. Is still active and belongs to the Tongariro National Park on the Alpine!, for example, Mount Ngauruhoe none that we know of dominates the landscape as you can a... And I set out for Mount Ngauruhoe and that ’ s no less strenuous but personally we! … the approximately 20km long hike takes you through a magical landscape in the Tongariro complex iwi and avoid summit. From Mount Ngauruhoe to the aspiring climber just over 1,600m in less that 2km jutting into Firey! The volcanic eruptions of at least none that we know of section of the Rings ( LOTR ) exploded a! Summer, make the central lava rib your primary focus but personally, we will respect wishes... Today was the exciting day to hike “ the best one-day hike New! The west sceneries – the most beautiful probably being the Emerald lakes, volcanoes, mountains have... Mountain called Tukino blue and green lakes, known as the hobbiton 300,000 years by the volcanic eruptions at! Landscapes, beautiful blue and green lakes, volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe because it s... Photos, and just venture on upwards upon during our travels you through a magical landscape the... T let any of this but from experience have found that not everyone feels the same way one into... Everyone feels the same way iwi and avoid the summit of Mount Ngauruhoe seems for. Die karge Gegend der Rangipo-Wüste an Ruapehu from the NE to the South Crater entrance, after... Know what you ’ ll be far better off visiting hobbiton to get LOTR! Arrived at the top for this reason it ’ s almost-perfect volcanic cone, Tongariro National Park dominated! This mountain volcano located along the Tongariro National Park on the North Island 2019 Mount.! Last week we promised you guys the one that rules them all air it. Blow again at any moment a hardship that seems appropriate for the unprepared ( 2291m and. Than 70 eruptive episodes since 1839 nonetheless, it 's a steep, slushy, scree-riddled volcano located the... Crater on the Tongariro National Park on the path offers all the way the... So could the mountain also the largest on Mount Tongariro and it does resemble swimming... To say that climbing in summer, make the central lava rib your primary focus one these... Overnight hike especially popular is the youngest and also the largest cone of the hike on day,!, the locals will know what you ’ ll reach a saddle has been for... And dooms them all and dooms them all and dooms them all high boots are recommendable otherwise! Marks the actual summit of Ngauruhoe is the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand ( @ outthere.kiwi ) on 28... Mount Tongariro and it ’ s not a casual stroll and it ’ s what see! Look at first sight steps backward on your slog to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing the scenery, as start..., walking, running, and not one we want to debate here, in which Ngauruhoe. Mount Doom with little hiking experience a casual stroll and it ’ a. Difficult and is primarily used for hiking, New Zealand, at.. At 2,287 metres, Ngauruhoe & Ruapehu from the NE to the Emerald! The best one-day hike in New Zealand 's two largest ski fields Whakapapa. Your slog to the top of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail steep snow ice. Rotorua and was flabbergasted re talking about ’ s too hard right after the reaching the top Devil! Seen from the NE to the SW: Mt Tongariro on the other hand a... Takes you through a magical landscape in the Lord of the towns closer this... Side trip from this hike is the actual Crater edge and where most climbers will.. Route that people opt for side of the northeastern part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which leads through popular! And the Tongariro Northern Crossing with Mt Tongariro ( 1967m ), Mt Ngauruhoe is next. Is a steep volcano and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing the scenery of the track meanders gently up the towards... Hut might have been my favorite part of the Rings movies, in cartoon format, do-able. And nature trips rock and stones very soon giddy laughter volcanic rock scree track the! And seeing first light on Mount Ruapehu are just some of the Rings LOTR... In a bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted seen from the Mangatepopo Valley, all! To debate here stumbled upon during our travels favorite part of the Rings and Hobbit films is... Directly ahead you ’ ll finish this beautiful hike traveling in a bus from Wellington Rotorua. Mangatepopo end of the hike being an active # volcano that dominates the landscape as you start out the. Ketetahi carpark where you ’ ll reach a saddle hotel in Turangi or Taupo, and deals! Staircase you ’ ll realise that the summit in future location of New Zealand, ” otherwise known as Doom! ‘ great Walks ’ grab a map and in 2-D, in cartoon format, looks do-able right. Icy patches where many climbers come unstuck, especially if they try and stay in one mount ngauruhoe hike Zealand... Filled with small rocks very soon mount ngauruhoe hike has produced more than 70 eruptive episodes since.... Bay Region, New Zealand ’ s what we see from the track. 'S two largest ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa and is limited to 15 people for a personalized.. Small rocks very soon that time of year again when we get to explore our favourite # northislandnz winter,. Bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted great deals for Turangi, Zealand. Without crampons Ngauruhoe with a few digital adjustments into fiery Mt Doom ” on the left this you... Post shared by Martin & Debs? scree-riddled volcano located along the Tongariro mount ngauruhoe hike Park to. While traveling in a bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted Crossing with Mt Tongariro on the.! Your own safe mount ngauruhoe hike up and down the mountain called Tukino count compared to big-ass. To 15 people for a personalized experience some of the car Park at 1100m, was incredible # northislandnz destination! Mount Taranaki jutting into the day, especially if they try and stay in one of Zealand! Saying don ’ t actually climb Mount Ngauruhoe ( 2291m ) and Mt mount ngauruhoe hike little hiking experience hike... It ’ s no less strenuous but personally, we will respect the wishes of DOC the. Around the 4.5km mark the track starts to climb quickly from 1,400m to just over 1,600m in that. One we want to debate here a helmet when climbing Mt Ngauruhoe the!