Tongariro Volcanic Plateau Loop — Taupo toOhakune.
Distance
400 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
3,000 m
Tongariro Volcanic Plateau Loop — Taupo to Ohakune.
A two-day circumnavigation of the three volcanoes of Tongariro National Park (a dual UNESCO World Heritage site for natural and cultural value). Day 1 takes the western side via Whakapapa skifield road and the bushclad National Park village, overnighting beneath Ruapehu in Ohakune. Day 2 returns north via the windswept Desert Road, with Mt Ngauruhoe (Lord of the Rings Mt Doom) on the left.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance400 km
Days2
Total climb3,000 m
Fuel stops2 along route
DifficultyModerate
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 11 waypoints to discover along the way.
TaupoStart · Start at Lake Taupo, a 616 sq km caldera lake from an eruption in 232 AD. Head south on SH1.
Huka FallsScenic Point · 5 km detour north of Taupo. 220,000 litres/sec funnel through an 11m rock chute — loud and turquoise.
TurangiFuel Stop · Trout fishing capital on the Tongariro River. Last cheap fuel before the mountains — top up here.
Whakapapa Village & Bruce RoadMountain Pass · Mt Ruapehu skifield road climbs to Iwikau Village at 1,630m. Sealed but exposed — check forecast in winter.
National Park villageScenic Point · SH4/SH47 junction. Three volcanoes visible at once — Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom), and Tongariro.
OhakuneOvernight · Overnight in Ohakune — old logging town beneath Ruapehus southern flank. Famous giant carrot. Good bike-friendly motels and craft beer at The Powderkeg.
Ohakune Mountain RoadScenic Point · Optional 17 km climb to Turoa skifield at 1,624m. Best views back over Ruapehus southern crater lakes.
WaiouruFuel Stop · Military garrison town at the southern start of the Desert Road. National Army Museum. Fill up here.
Desert Road SH1Scenic Point · Wind-blasted volcanic plateau between Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Range. Closed in heavy winter snowstorms.
Rangipo Desert LookoutPhoto Spot · Lunar landscape of pumice and tussock. Frequently used for Mordor exteriors in Lord of the Rings.
TaupoEnd · Return to Taupo completing the volcanic plateau loop. Lakefront soak at the AC Baths to finish.
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