Immerse yourself in panoramic views of volcanic resting grounds at the Tongariro Crossing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is known as one of the best one-day treks in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world, after having done it I can say this is completely true. If the idea of walking for up to seven hours sounds daunting don't worry I thought so too until I realised I had found a new hobby. The beautiful scenery and surroundings completely distract you from the fact that you are trekking up the side of a volcano and going up tones of stairs. Travel might be out of the question at the moment however I was inspired to make 2021 the year I explore the country right outside my doorstep. I have found a new love for hiking and finding beautiful places to walk, it helps with not only my fitness but my mental health. Here are my tips and advice about doing the Tongariro crossing.
What to expect from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
You want to go prepared and fully educated on what to expect so that you can have the most enjoyable hike possible! Completing the crossing is a major achievement, not only is it a test to your physical fitness but you will also take in spectacular views of emerald pools and New Zealand wildlife.
1) Don't underestimate how long it will take: Be prepared to walk for up to seven hours, before going into it I wasn't quite prepared for the fact that it will be a full day of walking. How long it will take varies depending on your fitness level. It took me five hours but on average the expected time is seven hours, some people take eleven hours. Take it at your own pace and don't let people behind you push you beyond your capabilities. It can be stressful having people tailing behind you the whole way so don't be afraid to stop and let other hikers past so you can do it comfortably. The crossing can get up to 3000 visitors a day, so be prepared for busy crowds.
2) Wear the correct clothing: I cannot stress enough how important it is to wear comfortable clothing that is waterproof and warm! I did the crossing on a nice summers day, however during the walk the temperature changes drastically and you will go from hot and sweating to freezing cold before you know it! Layer up so that you can stay warm and take off a layer as you go. Even if you don't need a rain jacket on, I would recommend taking a light-proof rain jacket at the bottom of your bag just in case the conditions change. Take a warm beanie and gloves, trust me you will need them, even in summer.
3) Wear hiking shoes: Make sure you have hiking shoes on!!! I wore gym shoes that I often wear for running and although I was fine I would not recommend this to others. There is a section of the walk called red crater which is a very steep hill with extremely slippy rocks, this was by far the hardest section to do with the wrong shoes on. I slipped and fell over on this section of the walk due to poor footwear. To walk red crater having correct hiking shoes and even hiking poles would help you do it with ease. Coming down the other side of red crater is even harder as it is a straight drop down with no path to follow just slippy rocks and dirt, however, this is all worth it for the stunning views of emerald pools down the bottom!
4) Essentials to pack in your bag: Take plenty of water, there is nowhere to fill up your water bottle so take a few litres with you. Don't forget to take your own toilet paper! I forgot to take toilet paper, luckily I had some tissues but ideally, you will want a roll of toilet paper with you. There are long drop toilets along that track which you will come across every few hours, however, there is no toilet paper or sinks provided. The only toilet that provides paper is when you make it to the end, so don't forget to take your own. Take plenty of food and make sure you have a big breakfast before you start. There is no food available anywhere to buy near the crossing so make sure you take lots of high energy snacks to get you through, nuts, cereal bars, fruit, sandwiches and things like that. Take a sunhat and sunscreen, it gets surprisingly hot and the New Zealand sun can be extremely harsh so be prepared. Don't forget your camera, you don't want to miss capturing the stunning scenery.
5) Book a shuttle: It's important to know that there is a limit of four hours of parking at either end of the crossing (yes this is stupid), they do this to encourage people not to drive themselves to the crossing. Book a shuttle service to drop you off and pick you up, note that the shuttles come and go at set times and you will want to finish the hike in time for the shuttle to pick you up. I got dropped off at 8 am and the shuttle times back were either 3 pm or 4 pm. The shuttles will come back and get you if you take longer than the expected time however be prepared to pay extra for this service.
The Tongariro Crossing is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done and it will make you appreciate the stunning country that we live in. It is an experience you don't want to miss out on and I would highly recommend adding it to your bucket list! It is encouraged that you stay on the trail at all times, don't contribute to the erosion of natural habitats and leave no trace. What you take in, you take out. Please make sure you read a proper guide before doing the hike so that you know what to expect. You can find out more information about the Tongariro Crossing here. If you want to find out more about my experience please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact me. Happy hiking!
Comments