Ascent to Ngauruhoe volcano

The way up to the volcano will not be what you would like to remember. Basically, it's just a vertical path in volcanic dusty rubble in the style of two steps up one down. On the other hand, this terrain has the advantage of descent. Those who are not afraid and can do it can then „run down“ the whole slope and be down in the clutches of flight.

Throughout this unpleasant ascent, you can clearly see the Tongariro Alpine Crossing route deep below you and the indistinct Tongariro volcano on the other side of the volcanic plain. It really is true that the weather here changes every moment. Clouds can appear here in a moment and then break again or, in the worst case, it will start to rain or snow.

After less than two hours, you will finally be at the top of the volcano. However, the trip does not end here, a tour of the entire crater awaits you, which together is more than a kilometer. At least it pays to walk to the southernmost part from where there is a great view of the highest volcano Ruapehu and Lake Tama

Here, too, you sometimes meet tourists, but there are only a fraction of them compared to those that go down the main route. As on any volcano, you have a strange feeling when you walk around the crater and it stinks around you – what if …

Even the actual march along the edge of the crater has its charm. There are multicolored rocks around you. After a while, the side volcano Ruapehu also looks out.

From the southern peak is the best viewpoint, the main reason to climb Ngauruhoe volcano at all. The mighty Ruapehu rises on the horizon and below you a desolate landscape enhanced by the beautiful lakes of Tama. The game of clouds is just a nice bonus.

The actual path along the edge of the crater is quite paved. Only be more careful when bypassing volcanic rocks.

Thanks to the multicolored rocks, the crater is in a way also picturesque and the path around it is not boring at all.

After half an hour, even with love, you have the top circuit ready. Before the descent, you can once again enjoy the landscape of Mordor below you and you can clearly see the path that still awaits you today. The main route of the trek across the volcanic plain looks almost like a highway from a height. You can also see the ascent to the Red Crater (the highest point of the trek without sidetrips) and the second side trip to Mount Tongariro.

The beautiful Blue Lake can be seen in the distance.