Ruapehu

Discover the rugged natural beauty and expansive, awe-inspiring landscape of the Ruapehu region in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island.

Ruapehu is a region that is particularly easy to reach by public transport, because it sits on State Highway 1, State Highway 4, and the main railway line. You can disembark at any of the major towns, then use local transport services to access ski fields and walking tracks.

Nearly all the scenery in the Ruapehu region stems from the massive three volcanos that dominates the landscape. The volcanoes are responsible for the deserts, the lakes, the rivers and the thermal springs. On a clear day at any time of the year, the mountains are an awe-inspiring sight. Their cones and surrounding lava fields provide amazing opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Ruapehu’s main settlements are the ski towns of National Park and Ohakune, the army town of Waiouru and the rural service center of Taumarunui, nestled on the banks of the Whanganui and Ongarue rivers. Local expert guides make it easy to discover the region’s famous hiking trails, fishing spots, kayaking, canoeing, horse riding and mountain biking experiences.

Mount Ruapehu or just Ruapehu, is one of the world’s most active volcanos and the largest in New Zealand. It is also the highest point in the North Island and sits 40 kilometers (24 miles) southwest of the southern side of Lake Taupo. The North Island’s only major ski fields and only glaciers are on its slopes.

The 800 sq. km. (309 sq. mi.) World Heritage Area - Tongariro National Park (a is the center of attraction for this region. The vision behind the gifting of the sacred Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro grew out of the sanctity of the mountains to local Maori and the desire to ensure that their sacred nature (tapu) would be protected for all time.

It was gifted to the country by the local Ngati Tuwharetoa people, who recognized that a treasure so precious needed to belong to all New Zealanders. The deed of gift was drawn up on 23 September 1887 and thus Tongariro became the first national park in the world to be gifted by a country’s indigenous people. Since the original gift in 1887, large areas of land have been added to the park, which today covers an area of approximately 76,000 hectares (187,700 acres).

Often called the best one-day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a strenuous 17 kilometer (10.2 mile) hike past Mount Ngauruhoe and over Mount Tongariro. You’ll journey across a surreal landscape of craters, scattered pumice, coloured lakes, piles of scoria and statue-like mounds of volcanic rock – all testament to the forces that were unleashed to create this volcanic desert.

The Whanganui River starts out as an alpine stream, high up on Mount Tongariro, and gathers water as it travels north to the town of Taumarunui, meeting the Ongarue River at Ngahuinga (‘the meeting place’). Then it flows south west for over 160 kilometers    (96 miles) to the Tasman Sea. The river is New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway, and a perfect environment for kayaking or canoeing.

Other activities in Ruapehu area include:

Volcanic hiking

Unforgettable hiking trails, including the famous Tongariro Crossing, run around and up the three iconic mountains with the park. Guide for these hikes and treks are highly recommended.

Whanganui National Park
The Whanganui River winds its way through hills and valleys from the mountains of the central North Island to the Tasman Sea. To appreciate its beauty, kayak or journey down the river with local Maori guides and gain knowledge of not only the scenery, but of ancient legends about the river and surrounding land.

Winter sports
Imagine skiing or snowboarding on an active volcano. On Mount Ruapehu, it’s a reality. Turoa and Whakapapa ski areas will tempt you with world-class facilities and a huge range of runs – from beginner to advanced. Whakapapa on Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand’s biggest and busiest ski fields. If you’re in the region to ski, efficient shuttle services are available to take you up the mountain.

Ruapehu has two commercial ski fields, Whakapapa on the northern side and Turoa on the southern slope. They are the two largest ski fields in New Zealand, with Whakapapa the larger. The private Tukino ski field is on the east of the mountain. The season is generally from June to October but depends on snow and weather conditions. Both ski fields are accessible by car and chair lifts and offer beginner to advanced slopes.

During the hiking season, shuttles can take you to the beginning of walking tracks and provide transport home when you reach the end.

You can also mountain bike the famous 42 Traverse. Descend 570 meters (1,882 ft.) through the Tongariro Forest Park over old bush tracks.

Try a ride the Raurimu Spiral, an internationally recognized engineering achievement built to negotiate a 215 meter (710 ft.) escarpment on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Railway enthusiasts come from all over the world to see it.

You can also charter a scenic flight and climb into the sky for the grandest views of the mountains, or survey the majestic Whanganui River.

One of New Zealand’s finest trout fisheries, the Whakapapa River, flows through beautiful native forest. It alternates between turbulent rapids, deep pools and long boulder runs. The upper reaches of the Whanganui River provide clear banks for unhindered casting and you’ll find larger than average trout.