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Walk to the summit of an active volcano
In summer, ride the chairlift and gain access to a spectacular Mt Ruapehu walk up to the crater lake.
The Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake has got to be one of the best one day hikes you can do! You will view the largest Crater Lake on New Zealand’s active Mt Ruapehu volcano. Remember you are on a mountain and weather can change very fast so even in the middle of summer be prepared to get a bit chilly. There is no track up here and if the weather closes in you will want to have and be able to use a map and compass... There are local guided options available to make this adventure more accessible and safer.
If weather conditions deteriorate during the day the lifts may close earlier than planned. If this happens, and you miss your lift ride down, you will have to make your own way back to the base area on foot. Follow the orange and blue markers starting from the top of the Waterfall Express Chairlift.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Ruapehu Alpine LiftsCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 4 to 8 hours Full day trip |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Tramping track Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections. Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Tramping/hiking boots required. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Took a walk up to the crater.
Came as a school group.
Brilliant walk with stunning views.
Nice track, not too hard, not too easy.
We went there during winter.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 5 |
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29% |
9/10 | 8 |
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47% |
8/10 | 2 |
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12% |
7/10 | 1 |
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6% |
6/10 | 1 |
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6% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.5/5
Came as a school group.
My group (14-year-old guys) made it up to the top in record time. I would highly recommend walking poles as your feet slip a lot in the snow. We had to turn back at the top though because of a visibility drop.
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in November 2017
Customer
3.0/5
Suitable for mountain goats or humans with climbing experience.
We walked / climbed all the way up and it took us almost 10 hours in total. A lot of climbing over lose rocks at very steep angles. Didn't always feel safe. Once we're up it was nice but considering the climb we had to take it wasn't really worth it
Reviewed over 6 years ago
Customer
4.5/5
Once again very worth the climb, stunning view at the top.
You can race the clouds and you can reach the snow and have a ski ride. Walk it for free up and then see if you can get a free ride down in the lift.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
Customer
5.0/5
We went there during winter.
One and a half hour uphill walk if you take the last chairlift. Best views and snow!!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
Customer
4.5/5
I have climbed Ruapehu, there was snow on the top.
Beautiful! Nice track!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
Customer
4.5/5
When we reached the mountain we understood that the lifts dod not work for the moment so we decided to walk up the mountain.
That was amazing and good markings.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
Customer
4.5/5
Climbed the mountain and was rewarded with a beautiful view over the surrounding lands.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
Customer
4.5/5
Brilliant walk with stunning views.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
Customer
4.0/5
Nice 5 hours walk with amazing different types of landscape-easy.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
Customer
5.0/5
Incredible views from crater lake and surrounding summits.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2013
Customer
4.5/5
Came as a school group.
My group (14-year-old guys) made it up to the top in record time. I would highly recommend walking poles as your feet slip a lot in the snow. We had to turn back at the top though because of a visibility drop.
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in November 2017
Customer
3.0/5
Suitable for mountain goats or humans with climbing experience.
We walked / climbed all the way up and it took us almost 10 hours in total. A lot of climbing over lose rocks at very steep angles. Didn't always feel safe. Once we're up it was nice but considering the climb we had to take it wasn't really worth it
Reviewed over 6 years ago
Customer
4.5/5
Once again very worth the climb, stunning view at the top.
You can race the clouds and you can reach the snow and have a ski ride. Walk it for free up and then see if you can get a free ride down in the lift.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
Customer
5.0/5
We went there during winter.
One and a half hour uphill walk if you take the last chairlift. Best views and snow!!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
Customer
4.5/5
I have climbed Ruapehu, there was snow on the top.
Beautiful! Nice track!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
Customer
4.5/5
Brilliant walk with stunning views.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
Customer
4.5/5
Climbed the mountain and was rewarded with a beautiful view over the surrounding lands.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
Customer
4.5/5
When we reached the mountain we understood that the lifts dod not work for the moment so we decided to walk up the mountain.
That was amazing and good markings.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
Customer
5.0/5
Incredible views from crater lake and surrounding summits.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2013
Customer
4.0/5
Nice 5 hours walk with amazing different types of landscape-easy.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
Customer
4.5/5
This is a fantastic ascension to the summit, totally worth it.
But I highly recommend a map because there's no track and it's a little bit tricky to find your way, be prepaired.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
Customer
5.0/5
At the top (2020m) with the chair lift 9$30) and then the walk to the peak about 1 hour (2300m) - amazing views.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
Customer
4.0/5
Nice track, not too hard, not too easy.
Beautiful landscape. The chair lift is maybe a little too expensive.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
Customer
5.0/5
Superb views, no discernable path and not a person in sight.
Superb.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in February 2009
Customer
4.5/5
Nice but very tiring walk, you need time (alot) - you need good weather.
but the view is wonderful.... the best since we in NZ
Reviewed almost 15 years ago
Customer
3.5/5
Took a walk up to the crater.
Stair lift costs $30, enjoyed it but you need to ensure you take sensible boots and provisions as well as wet weather kit.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago
Customer
5.0/5
On a sunny day you'll get a great view of Mordor, see the incredible colour od the crater lake.
Reviewed almost 15 years ago
Customer