Explore the most popular Hot Springs trails in New Zealand with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
once in a lifetime experience!
I hiked this trail on Monday Feb 17th with approximately 2000 other hikers according to my shuttle driver. The trail had been closed for two days prior due to a death on Devils Staircase and the weather the few days after were predicted to be bad so everyone was pushed to Monday. The hike up to the craters was cloud covered but once we got to the top it did clear for a bit. Not the best view but we were all grateful for any view at all. There are three harder parts the rest I found fairly easy. I hiked it in 5 hours but I am an experienced hiker and didn’t take many photos. Wear the right footwear and be prepared for any weather . Don’t under estimate the difficulty if you are an inexperienced hiker or out of shape. There are many injuries , deaths and rescues on this trail.
This was hard and is more longer than what the hike said
Wow. Not as hard as I thought. Doc says - 7-8 hours. Mmmm. I have done it in 4 hours. Nice walk but so busy. Especially around the lakes. Take your break just up the hill of the red crater and watch people falling down.
Eine schöne lohnende Wanderung. Man könnte es sich aber auch einfacher machen. Man lässt die Soda Springs aus und geht direkt zum Red Crater. Von dort hat man den Blick auf die Emerald Lakes und den Blue Lake und die Vulkane sowie Lavaströme. Danach geht man wieder zurück und spart sich die restlich lange Wanderung und hat eigentlich alle Highlights gesehen. Das sollte in unter 4 Stunden machbar sein. Je früher man los geht umso besser. (Sonnenaufgang!)
Excellent hike. Managed to finish in 6 hrs with a lunch break. Moderate difficulty at most, if you have any hiking experience you will find this pretty straightforward and enjoyable. The weather does change quite frequently so bring lots of layers. 2L water was enough. Bring toilet paper/hand sani.. lots of bathrooms en route. You don’t really need hiking poles for this one, there’s about 200m of loose sand/gravel after the summit but you can confidently slide down this without much angst.
Tous les parcs géothermiques sont payants... celui ci ne déroge pas à la règle. Une promenade facile, de très jolies photos... Venez de bonne heure pour profiter du parc avant la foule (l’idéal étant de visiter pendant le « spectacle » du Lady Knox geyser (bcp de monde, et vraiment très très moyen)
balade sympathique, rapide, très facile et de jolis lacs/bassins. un conseil : arriver a l'ouverture (8:30) pour visiter le parc et enchainer directement avec le jeyser a 10:15 (pas spéculaire du tout et declanché "artificiellement"). enfin terminer avec les mud pool (accès gratuit et assez sympathique a voir aussi)
Not spectacular. Only a couple of really interesting parts considering there's an entrance fee.
Dag 1 van Tongariro Northern Circuit. Erg tof, mooie uitzichten op de vulkaan en de plek waar ooit lava uit de vulkaan kwam. Mooie bergmeertjes en maanachtige landschappen door vele vulkaanstenen overal en lavatongen.
We were able to climb after wind out closures the morning of it went low enough to go, 65km. Long hard and windy day. 10+ hrs
The most incredible trail.
4 stars only because we had to do it in low clouds and mist and couldn't see anything. if you know the weather is going to be crummy and have the opportunity to wait for a clear day I would recommend it.
belle randonnée avec de super paysages. prévoir minimum 2l d'eau et de la crème solaire si les conditions sont bonnes. penser a réserver la navette (aller-retour) pour la rando et compter 6-7 h de marche si vous êtes en forme.
LO F. on Tongariro Alpine Crossing
very weather dependent. had a good day, not too hot (end of november). it's a bit hyped and therefore also very crowded. it's not as hard as they say in my opinion. the devil's staircase and the way down from the red crater are the most challenging parts. at the end of the track you have a long descending walk through bushes and later on through the forest. beautiful but not super exciting. you will be sweating your arse off and have wind on the top parts, so pack a jacket, even when the weather is good. it changes fast up there. in good weather conditions you can't get lost, just follow the string of people... can't say anything about other weather conditions.
Nette Wanderung aber mit mehr als 4 Sternen überbewertet. Man geht durch einen Wald und gewinnt schnell an Höhe. Danach folgt man einer künstlichen Wasserrinne zur Speisung des Wasserkraftwerks. Am Ende geht man dann den Fahrweg zurück zum Parkplatz. Der Wald ist nett und ruhig um schafft an heißen Tagen Abkühlung. Die Pupu Springs sind selbst ca. 2 km entfernt und ein “must see” haben aber mit dieser Wanderung nichts zu tun.
Really cool hike especially when you get to Mt Doom (volcano), the red crater and emerald lakes. Lots of lava rocks too. it is a good and nice hike but a bit overhyped. This hike is very weather dependent so if you have a good day, do the hike that day. Don't hold off on the hike for another day. high traffic trail and the busiest I saw in New zealand. I didn't find this hike to be too challenging but would definitely recommend some hiking experience. There is a bit of an uphill climb which I didnt think was too difficult. The downhill from the red crater to the lakes is a bit tricky as it all scree and small loose rocks that make it slippery. DO NOT do this hike barefoot (which people ppl actually do) since it's all small sharp rocks. Would recommend tramping boots for this one. Open trail with not much coverage so Bring lots of water, sunscreen, cap, hat, gloves etc. Dress in layers!! - its alpine climate so the weather changes. Cold and windy at the highest point you will reach so bring a jacket and a raincoat.
