{"id":1665,"date":"2010-05-13T06:00:56","date_gmt":"2010-05-13T11:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=1665"},"modified":"2024-06-19T07:40:50","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T11:40:50","slug":"the-tongariro-alpine-crossing-new-zealands-best-one-day-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/the-tongariro-alpine-crossing-new-zealands-best-one-day-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tongariro Alpine Crossing: New Zealand’s Best One-Day Hike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shortly after I arrived in New Zealand, a number of people who knew of my passion for hiking and mountaineering told me it was worth my while to hike the 19km Tongariro Alpine Crossing – one of the best day hikes in New Zealand.
Yup. They were right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was originally published in 2010, and has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.<\/em>

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The Tongariro crossing has been described as the best one-day hike in <\/strong>New Zealand<\/strong> for ages, but has gained a whole new pilgrimage since Lord of the Rings<\/em> came out. The reason? This hike takes you through the heart of \u201cMordor\u201d, passing by \u201cMount Doom\u201d (and climbing up it, if you\u2019re feeling energetic enough to add 2-3 hours to your day for the side track to the summit). And no, it\u2019s not called Mount Doom in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there was a certain appeal for me to see the desolate landscapes of \u201cMordor\u201d in person, I\u2019m not enough of a Lord of the Rings<\/em> fan to have gone out of my way to do this hike for that reason alone. Instead it was the volcanic mountainous landscape<\/a>, the long trek, and the promise of epic views that lured me in. Tongariro National Park wasn\u2019t on the way to anywhere for me \u2013 I made it a dedicated trip and prayed that the weather would cooperate for the one day window I had available.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Tongariro weather wasn\u2019t looking too good leading up to the trek either. The park had been closed all week due to high winds and snow (yes, snow) in some parts. Because of the steep exposure on some parts of the hike, as well as the high altitude, weather plays a big part in how the day goes. As with any mountainous environment, a sunny day can turn into a blizzard at any time of year, and hikers must be prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to check the weather reports before you make your arrangements! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So despite a week of foul weather leading up to my trip, I persevered in the hopes that the weather would break in time for my only available hiking day.

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Where to Start Your Tongariro Alpine Crossing Adventure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The major launching point for the Tongariro Crossing is Taupo, a pretty town on a huge lake bearing the same name in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. Even so, Taupo isn\u2019t all that close to the start of the hike (which is located in Tongariro National Park). To get there, you catch a bus at the crack of dawn (before dawn, actually), and spend the next hour and a half waking up and considering your fate with a host of other travelers in the same boat (er\u2026bus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can stay in Turangi the night prior, which is only 20 minutes from Tongariro park, but also has fewer amenities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out these accommodation deals near the Tongariro Crossing here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n Booking.com<\/a>\n<\/ins>\n