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The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a popular tramping (hiking) track in the North Island of New Zealand. The 44.9Km track is located within the Tongariro National Park and forms a loop which is typically walked in three to four days. The route follows a circuit around Mount Ngauruhoe and incorporates sections of both the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Te Araroa.

It is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks by the Department of Conservation who maintain three huts on the circuit, Mangatepopo Hut, Oturere Hut and Waihohonu Hut. A fourth hut, Ketetahi, was damaged in the 2012 eruption and is now only used as a day shelter for those traversing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Being a loop, the track can be hiked in either direction with a popular start/finish point being the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. The entirety of the track is above 1,100m in altitude with the highest point being the summit of Red Crater at 1,886m, making it a challenging route in winter conditions.

Profile and Accommodation
Hut General - booking, camping

Points of Interest
Soda Springs

Mount Ngauruhoe

Red Crater

The Emerald Lakes

The Old Waihohonu Hut

Tama Lakes

Popular Culture
The Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, offers a three- to four-day tramp through Tongariro National Park New Zealand. Highlighted by the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a full day of awe-inspiring landscapes, The entire trail spans a 50 km around Mount Ngauruhoe. Approximately 2,500 hikers completed the walk in the 2021/22 season. This contrasts with the roughly 25,000 who solely walk the Tongariro Crossing segment.

Accommodation
There are three New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) huts around the circuit - Mangatepopo, Oturere and Waihohonu. A fourth hut, Ketetahi, was damaged in the 2012 eruption and is now only a day shelter. It is forbidden to camp within 500 m of the track.