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 The route winds along a raised boardwalk until it starts to climb sharply. This is when there is snow on the track requiring cramp-ons. 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 guides show you the way as the marker pole may not be visible or the conditions could be white out. 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 need special skills and preparation to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter (June to October). Website by Tomahawk, How the Tongariro National Park earned its UNESCO Dual World Heritage status, Hiking checklist: What to take on the Tongariro Crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is iconic, walked by as many as 100,000 people each year. 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. Tongariro Crossing need to know: – The Tongariro Crossing is a one way hike. Which can cause a few horrible issues such as: bottle necks of people on narrow parts of the track I hope this helps you to book confidently for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for any season. So, what do the seasonal terms mean to us? Track safety is when there is not too much snow and it is safe to hike with cramp-ons without support. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is growing in popularity every year. The track was originally designed for about 1000 people per day, but during the high season up to 3000 people hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing per day. 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. We offer shuttle services from Taupo, Turangi, Base Camp and Ketetahi. July – Track safety So, what does this mean when you are trying to book ahead of time? The usual direction starts from Mangatepopo car park and ends at Ketetahi car park. ), it can be tackled without a guide for most of the year. 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. 'Winter' is usually August and September. For these different seasons, there are different types of tours and transport options we have to help you make your crossing a safe experience. What to expect from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 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. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. Hire gear is available to only those doing return shuttles – not Ketetahi. The crossing is a linear journey, starting on the west side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the north side. These overviews are just a basic statistical possibility, coming from our years of knowledge around the track. This video, produced by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, takes you through the entire track and shows you how to prepare for a successful day out so that you make it home safely. Extreme weather, terrain and distance have resulted in this track having the highest number of search and rescues for hikers in New Zealand. and al… If we cancel you can either get a full refund or transfer to another day. There is a staff member that goes up ahead of the group to assess the track and weather conditions. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4km of pure rugged New Zealand beauty. The length of Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4 km, and it takes anywhere from 5 to 8 hours so be prepared for a full challenging day out. Fully guided is when you have a trained guide per 8-10 hikers. This will normally mean hiking with hundreds and hundreds of tourists. We take you to the start of the track. My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. 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); Shuttle transport recommended for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be walked in either direction and there are several side trips. 'Winter' is when there is snow on the track. Overview: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world. There are increased risks from snow, ice, avalanche … Once you figure out your dates look into what the conditions will be like and dress accordingly. 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. ‘Summer’ is usually November to May. You know most people find that they don't enjoy the track at all if they choose to go over in bad weather. We also pick up from Base Camp, and a car park in from of the Tongariro Holiday Park. For these different seasons, there are different types of tours and transport options we have to help you make your crossing a safe experience. The trek can be done in spring, summer, fall, and winter. The best season for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We also specialise in Private Transfers making it easy for you to get around. This number has more than doubled in just the last five years to over 130,000 walkers last season. In winter, we offer either 'Fully guided' or 'Track Safety'. Tongariro Expeditions recommend hikers to be prepared with sunglasses, a hat/beanie, sunblock with an SPF rating of at least 50+ and plenty of water to counter symptoms of dehydration. 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. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park is described as one of the best one-day hikes in New Zealand. That way you are hiking your way back to your car. This is usually June, July and October. The Tongariro Crossing can be divided up into several distinct sections, each being completely unique and breathtaking. 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). Quite a few children were walking the trail (overheard toward the end, "Dad, I'm never going for a walk with you again."Ha!) This option includes gear, transport and guide. 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 spectacular vistas and unique geological features of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing create a perfect setting for some amazing photographs. DISTANCE AND ELEVATION GAIN AT TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING. Once you decide on your Transport option then we would put through a partial refund. On a busy fine day over 2000 hikers can be hiking the Crossing. The Tongariro National Park has got two seasons: The Great Walk Season, the summer season: start Labour Weekend (end October) – 30 April; Outside the Great Walk Season, the winter season: 1 May – Labour Weekend (end October) Check here the current dates for Labour weekend The first time we hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we woke up to a dark and foggy landscape. 140,000 tourists hiked the Crossing last season. The Tongariro Alpine crossing traverses areas with active volcanoes. You are equipped with cramp-ons and an ice axe that you are trained in using plus a helmet. Full refund available up to the day before. It's not necessarily for everyone. Hiking the Tongariro Crossing. – You should set aside a whole day to hike the Tongariro crossing. Let me explain: 'Summer' is when there is no snow on the track. This is when there is snow on the track requiring cramp-ons. 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