Adventure Magazine April 2020

Silica Rapids
This highly varied walk travels
through mountain beech forest and
alongside a cascading stream to arrive
at the creamy-white terraces of the
Silica Rapids. A range of vegetation
types, including subalpine plants,
amid a mixture of swamp and tussock
country, feature around the track. On a
clear day, the walk offers spectacular
views of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
The track begins 250 metres above
Whakapapa Village Visitor Centre and
returns along Bruce Road for 2.5km - or
return along the same track.
Distance: 7 km return via Bruce Rd
Grade: Easy
Tupapakurua Falls
One of the lesser discovered hikes
in the area, but also one of the more
challenging, the Tupapakurua Falls
track can be reached from National
Park Village. It starts off Fishers Road
and begins with an easy 20-minute
walk to the Taranaki lookout from
where you can view Mt Taranaki on a
clear day. From there, it becomes a
back-country adventure track suitable
for experienced hikers only. The track
follows a ridge and then descends
steeply to a stream with good stands
of native trees, including tawa, mature
rimu, miro and totara, along the way.
Climbing from the stream, the track
winds its way around bluffs to a good
lookout point with views of the falls.
Allow between 4 to 5 hours for the
return trip.
Distance: 11km
Grade: Moderate to difficult
Mangatepopo Valley
You don't have to hike the fulllength
of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
to experience some of its splendour.
Hiking the first section of the Crossing
up Mangatepopo Valley - carved out by
glaciers and partially in-filled by lava
flows from Mt Ngauruhoe - to Soda
Springs is well worth a visit in its own
right. The walk sets off through fields
of yellow tussock before climbing at
a gentle gradient alongside a stream
and around the edges of old lava
flows. The valley ends at the foot of
Mt Ngauruhoe, where you're treated
with up close and personal views of
this iconic volcano. From here, a short
side track leads to Soda Springs where
clear, cold water cascades into a small
stream. Allow 3 hours for the return
journey, which makes it a perfectly
timed with the parking time limit at the
Mangatepopo carpark.
Distance: 8km return
Grade: Easy to moderate
Tama Lakes
A very close rival to the Tongariro
Alpine Crossing, the Tama Lakes
track crosses a distinctive undulating
landscape of tussock and alpine
herbfields. With very few ascents, apart
from a steep incline to 1440 metres to
the upper lake viewpoint, it's far less
arduous than the Crossing. Flanked by
Mt Tongariro and Ngauruhoe and Mt
Ruapehu, the views along this walk are
truly exceptional. On a clear day, you
might even be lucky enough to spot
Mt Taranaki on the western horizon.
The Tama Lakes occupy several old
explosion craters so are well worth the
trek to view. The walk starts and ends
in Whakapapa Village.
Distance: 17km return
Grade: Moderate, with a steep
ascent to the Upper Lake.
Taranaki Falls
A firm favourite for locals and
visitors looking for a short, but beautiful,
loop walk, the Taranaki Falls track is
perfect for families and travellers of
all ages and fitness levels. The track
offers an excellent glimpse of the varied
scenery and landscapes the Tongariro
National Park is known for - taking in
tussock, bush and ancient lava flows,
as it leads to a stunning waterfall.
Pack a picnic and enjoy spectacular
views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro,
surrounded by native plants and
birdsong. The track also starts and
ends in Whakapapa Village.
Distance: 6km loop
Grade: Easy
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