Tongariro Alpine Crossing Day Walk
New Zealand's most popular day walk crosses a dramatic volcanic landscape of craters, emerald lakes, and lava flows between two active volcanoes.
- 1
Mangatepopo Valley Trailhead
The 19.4-km crossing starts at Mangatepopo, 90 minutes from Taupo — a shuttle service runs from town to the start and from the finish at Ketetahi.
- 2
South Crater
The flat floor of South Crater provides a surreal lunar landscape — a wide, flat plain of volcanic ash and scoria enclosed by crater walls.
- 3
Red Crater Summit (1868m)
The highest point of the crossing, Red Crater glows vivid red-orange from oxidised iron minerals — the views from here are the finest of the entire walk.
- 4
Emerald Lakes
Three crater lakes of vivid turquoise and green, coloured by dissolved minerals from geothermal activity — among the most photographed sights in New Zealand.
- 5
Blue Lake (Te Wai Whakaata o te Kahu)
The sacred Blue Lake is perfectly circular and a deep cobalt blue — swimming is prohibited as this is a wāhi tapu (sacred area) to the local Māori people.
- 6
Ketetahi Descent
The descent to Ketetahi passes through native bush and a former hot springs area — the springs themselves are private Māori land and closed to visitors.