The Track

Mangatepopo Car Park To Soda Springs

Grade: Easy - Allow 1 - 1.5 Hours
Mangatepopo Car Park, Mangatepopo Road

Starting from the Mangatepopo car park this track is graded easy.  
15 minutes into the walk from the car park the track branches off to the right to Whakapapa. Another five minutes on from this junction, another sidetrack leads left towards the Mangatepopo Hut and public toilet facilities. 
The main track continues up the valley, following the Mangatepopo Stream and around the edge of an old lava flow.
As the altitude increases, you will notice a change in plant species along the track. 
The last toilet facilities are located at Soda Springs; there are no further facilities until you reach the Ketetahi Hut.

Soda Springs To South Crater

Grade: Moderate - Difficult, Allow 40 Minutes To An Hour.

The Soda Springs to South Crater section of the track is also known as the Devil's Staircase. The track is steep - climbing from 1400 to 1600 metres above sea level. 
Caution is advised here, please take your time. On a clear day the view down the valley and out across the surrounding countryside is amazing. Out towards the west you may catch a glimps of the perfectly formed volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki. 
Be sure to take care, as underfoot you will be trekking over layers of ancient and modern lava flows and other volcanic deposits, the track surface is anything but smooth. 
The track veers slightly left five minutes before reaching South Crater, to continue on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing follow the marked route.

South Crater To Red Crater

Grade: Moderate - Difficult, Allow 1 Hour

You will start off on the flat, enjoy it as it won't last forever. After you pass the south crater you will begin a short climb on an exposed ridge, the ridge track leads to the Red Crater.You will find yourself amazed by spectacular views of the Oturere Valley, Rangipo Desert, Kaimanawa Ranges and down towards the Emerald Lakes. Please be cautious as it can get very blustery on a windy day.

Red Crater To Blue Lake

Grade: Moderate, Allow 30 Minutes

Take caution as you decend from the Red Crater as the underfoot can move easily and quickly. As you look out to the floor of the Central Crater located on your left, you will see an old lava flow coming from the Red Crater. As you look to your right you will find the Emerald Lakes, the colour of the Lakes is caused by the minerals leached from the surrounding rock. The smell is caused by steam vents above the Lake. You may notice a track which leads to the Oturee Hut, this is part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit which branches off just past the lowest lake. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track follows the edge of Central Crater then climbs up to Blue Lake (a cold acidic lake). The lake is Tapu (scared), it is disrespectful to touch, enter, eat or drink around it's shores. The last toilet facilites are at Soda Springs, there are no further toilet facilites until you reach Ketetahi Hut.    

Blue Lake To Ketetahi Shelter

Grade: Moderate - Allow 1 Hour 

A fairly easy short climb to the edge of the North Crater. The North Crater was once filled with molten lava which then cooled and soilified which created a level surface more than 1000m wide. You will find on a good day there are spectacular views out over Mount Pihanga and Lake Rotoaira across to Lake Taupo. As you make your way down to Ketetehai Shelter, the ground can be very boggy and the pumice is easily eroded - please keep to the main track.

Ketetahi Shelter To Ketetahi Car Park

Grade: Moderate - Allow 2 Hours

This track crosses the stream that flows down from Ketetahi Springs 
As the springs are on private land visitors are asked not to leave the track. Follow the poled route down through the open tussock land to the clearing where you will find some seats available for a well earned rest.  The track thendrops steeply to the Mangatetipua Stream. A short side track leads down to a waterfall a few minutes before reaching the Ketetahi Car Park.