Red Crater via Tongariro Alpine Crossing
12.0 mi
Distance
6 hrs 11 min
Time
terrain
3,574 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult one way trail in Tongariro National Park.
This trail goes by Mangatepopo Hut, Devil's Staircase, Volcanic hazards, Red Crater, Emerald Lakes, Blue Lake, Volcanic Risk, and Lahar Hazard Zone.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
A must do trek up and over a stark , beautiful volcanic landscape. Take extra food, water (2 liters), gloves, Goretex jacket, sun protection, short gators (keeps small volcanic stones and dirt out of boots) for the deep soft trail down from the Red Crater.
We started a bit later 0830 to avoid the earlier crowds. Worked OK. Took 3 breaks plus 30-40 mins for lunch at the top of Red Crater.
Portaloos spaced adequately. Always ‘go try’
Halfway point is approx. at Blue Lake on the downhill side. Need transportation at beginning and end.
★
★
★
★
★
This was a nice scenic hike (or trek as it is called here). The trail was nicely maintained and only a few wet spots despite the fact that it had rained for days on prior to my day on the trail. However, it is so popular so you feel like you are in the line at the grocery store at times. I hiked it during the early season and there were well over 1,000 people on the trail that day. So therefore I only give it 4 stars. It was very crowded.
★
★
★
★
Public Tracks
Tongariro Crossing 1/10/19 09:00:55
Horrible weather. Rainy, cloudy and fogged in. Ran the downhill simply because I was bored.
Pretty fast. Finished ~1 hour before next in group and ~3 hours before our bus was supposed to arrive. Picked up a lot of trash along route. So many discarded, wet tissues!
