You will also be … Although beautiful, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, can be dangerous if you are not fully prepared to enter an alpine environment. The Tongariro Crossing transport services aim to get you to the track for this time. 'Winter' is when there is snow on the track. When booking ahead of time you are pretty safe to book Fully Guided for August and September. Unexpected winds have the ability to create cool, dry conditions, and for unprepared hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this can mean immediate danger. We also specialise in Private Transfers making it easy for you to get around. National Park Shuttles, Active Outdoor Adventures and Backyard Tours have partnered Transfers to the "Tongariro Alpine Crossing" with our team. We offer shuttle services from Taupo, Turangi, Base Camp and Ketetahi. Website by Tomahawk, How the Tongariro National Park earned its UNESCO Dual World Heritage status, Hiking checklist: What to take on the Tongariro Crossing. Track safety is when there is not too much snow and it is safe to hike with cramp-ons without support. Guiding can be organised on request. It can change between ‘Freedom hiking’, ‘Track safety’ and ‘Fully guided’ day by day. I hope this helps you to book confidently for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for any season. The busiest, but also the best time to hike is over the summer season from December to February as it offers the most-stable weather conditions. If they remain safe they let you pass. Conditions in Tongariro National Park change dramatically with the seasons, resulting in a wide variety of habitats. While the Tongariro Alpine Crossing should always be taken seriously (you are walking 19.4km over an active volcano after all! 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); 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. 140,000 tourists hiked the Crossing last season. 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. The Tongariro Crossing is a walk way across the edge of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe including a walk across a lunar like landscape with views of active volcanoes and recent lava flows. Shuttle transport recommended for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We try our best to accommodate all our guests and make adjustments as we go along, in case you need a different option. Tongariro National Park (/ ˈ t ɒ ŋ ɡ ə r ɪr oʊ /; Māori: [tɔŋaɾiɾɔ]) is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island.It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of mixed cultural and natural values.. Tongariro National Park was the sixth national park established in the world. This is when there is snow on the track requiring cramp-ons. 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. Once you figure out your dates look into what the conditions will be like and dress accordingly. 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. DISTANCE AND ELEVATION GAIN AT TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING. If you are trying the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for the first time, it’s best to go in the summer. In winter, we offer either 'Fully guided' or 'Track Safety'. We also pick up from Base Camp, and a car park in from of the Tongariro Holiday Park. These overviews are just a basic statistical possibility, coming from our years of knowledge around the track. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is 19.4km of pure rugged New Zealand beauty. 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). will be one of your ultimate experiences! Because of this, it can be easy to forget that it is a serious trek over mountainous terrain, made even harder by ice and snow during the winter months. We have hire gear on the bus if you need it and we give you a map and information sheet. Getting there The guides show you the way as the marker pole may not be visible or the conditions could be white out. If we cancel you can either get a full refund or transfer to another day. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is amongst the best one day hikes in the world and is rated the #1 one day hike in New Zealand! The spectacular vistas and unique geological features of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing create a perfect setting for some amazing photographs. At a comfortable speed with plenty of stops for photos (or resting – we are not judging), it takes between 7-8 hours to complete. At times, there may be a requirement for an upgrade or refund. As a result, returning to the western end requires, retracing the 19.4 km crossing, walking 26 km via State Highways 46 and 47 back to the other trailhead, or completing the Tongariro Northern Circuit.. You know most people find that they don't enjoy the track at all if they choose to go over in bad weather. We suggest you book Track Safety for July and October. What season is best for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? This option includes gear, transport and guide. Transport Only Options for November to June. November – Freedom hiking. 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. Best time of year to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the summer season, which starts from October and lasts until April. The first time we hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we woke up to a dark and foggy landscape. Fully guided is when you have a trained guide per 8-10 hikers. We take you to the start of the track. "The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is not a memorable experience for the right reasons on a bad day. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a one-way 19.4km track. Plan the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike for the right time of year. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is growing in popularity every year. The usual direction starts from Mangatepopo car park and ends at Ketetahi car park. The snow comes… the snow melts away…. The crossing is a linear journey, starting on the west side of Mount Tongariro and finishing on the north side. The seasons to us on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing are not specific dates on the calendar, oh no. 2 Shuttle only option (summer conditions) applies when the track is clear from snow and ice. 1. There are increased risks from snow, ice, avalanche … This hike takes you through the heart of “Mordor”, passing by “Mount Doom” (and climbing up it, if you’re feeling energetic enough to add 2-3 hours to your day for the side track to the summit). So, what do the seasonal terms mean to us? Ketetahi to Mangatepopo: Allow an extra hour to walk the track in reverse. 'Midseason' is when it changes between the two. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. ‘Summer’ is usually November to May. Ketetahi car park is a one-way shuttle where you park your car at the end of the track in the morning. 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. I would recommend going early or late in the season because the temperatures will not be as high and it trek will be less crowded. 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. So, what does this mean when you are trying to book ahead of time? For these different seasons, there are different types of tours and transport options we have to help you make your crossing a safe experience. View our map of the track. Best time of year to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The track is open for access all year round and can be hiked during both the winter and summer seasons. September – Fully guided The weather varies significantly on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it can change quickly in the space of a few hours but also settles into different patterns depending on the season. You should start walking the crossing between 8-9am. The Great Walk hiking season runs from late October through till the end of April, depending on snow cover. The track is well mark and you do not require a guide. This number has more than doubled in just the last five years to over 130,000 walkers last season. and al… For this coming Summer Season of 2020/2021 . We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. The track is well marked and easy to follow. My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be walked in either direction and there are several side trips. ), it can be tackled without a guide for most of the year. It's not necessarily for everyone. 'Winter' is usually August and September. There is a staff member that goes up ahead of the group to assess the track and weather conditions. The Tongariro Alpine crossing traverses areas with active volcanoes. We were told by our shuttle driver that the fog usually disappears once the sun comes up, so we went ahead and started the hike. They at times have to cut steps or take a detour if needed. 2 Shuttle only option (summer conditions) applies when the track is clear from snow and ice. National Park Village lies in the heart of the dual World Heritage Tongariro National Park and provides easy access to nearby activities. Which can cause a few horrible issues such as: bottle necks of people on narrow parts of the track If they change to unsafe they will turn you around. With snow and ice covering the track, walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter requires special skills and preparation. Guiding options have limited spots available. 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