Mangatepopo to National Park

  • Walking
Difficulty
Medium
Length
30 km
Journey Time
1 -2 days
Region
Manawatu/Whanganui
Sub-Region
Ruapehu
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail , Te Araroa - North Island

Te Araroa section: Tramp through the tussocks and shrublands to National Park, gateway to active volcanic mountains that dominate the iconic and majestic landscape as you walk.

Mangatepopo Track — 9km / 3-4 hours

200m past the turnoff to the Mangatepopo Hut, turn southwest onto the Mangatepopo Track.

For the first hour, the track skirts around Pukekaikiore, then continues southwest across exposed tussock and shrubland. 

About 20 minutes before reaching the Whakapapa village, the track joins the lower Taranaki Falls Track.

Follow it in an easterly direction until it ends at Ngāuruhoe Place (100m below the Whakapapa Visitor Centre), Whakapapa Village. 

Whakapapaiti Mangahuia Track - 13.5km / 5-6 hours

The track traverses forest, wetlands and open tussock lands. It can be boggy in the wet. The track may be rutted.

Leave the Whakapapa Village on Whakapapaiti Track. It starts opposite the Fire Station, just above the Holiday Park and 250m from the Whakapapa Visitor Centre

Initially, the track flows easily and descends through groves of kaikawaka and cabbage trees amongst the beech forest. 

The track then descends through an open area to a bridged river crossing over the Whakapapaiti Stream before coming across a track intersection.

The Whakapapiti Hut is approximately 3 km up the track to the left.  It is not part of Te Araroa,but is included in the Trail Pass.  Before reaching the hut the track crosses the Whakapapiti Stream.  The crossing over boulders is normally easy but may be difficult after heavy rain

Turn right (northwest) onto the Mangahuia Track and head to the Mangahuia campsite (2-3 hours). There are a few stream crossings on this track, easy to cross in dry weather but can be difficult when the streams are high - take care and be prepared to wait for levels to drop.

Mangahuia Campsite o National Park - 6.5km

From the Mangahuia campsite, walk 500m north on the vehicle track to join SH47. Turn left (west) and follow the road for 6km to the junction with SH4. Turn right (north) into the National Park Village, then turn left (west) onto Findlay Street. It flows into Station Road. At the very end is National Park Railway Station.

Conditions

Potential Hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Poisons & traps
  • River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
  • Small stream crossings
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • Weather extremes
  • Few water sources - avoid drinking from streams with high mineral content.

Tongariro (Upper Tama Lake) weather - NIWA

Tongariro (Visitor Centre) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Knoll Ridge Café) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Turoa Giant Café) weather - NIWA

Mt Ruapehu (Turoa -Waitonga Falls) weather - NIWA

How to get here

Northern Start: Mangatepopo Track turnoff, Tongariro National Park

Southern End: Railway Station, Station Road, National Park

Transport

Getting there/away

Transport to trailheads

Accommodation

Trail Pass

Campsite_Included Mangahuia Campsite - km 1,165.8 - Included in The Trail Pass (Bookings required)

Backpackers and tent sites

  • Whakapapa Holiday Park — Fully serviced campground nestled in the heart of Tongariro National Park, surrounded by beautiful native trees and rivers. Plenty of bird life. For Te Araroa walkers, we have tent sites, backpacker rooms and a lodge that sleeps 32. Tent sites are $23, Lodge beds are $32.  This includes unlimited internet and full usage of all facilities in a safe and comfortable area.  Our onsite coffee and food cart are welcome when walking up Bruce Road, tired and hungry. Check out the Facebook page for all contact details.
  • DOC’s Mangahuia Campsite — 500m off SH 47. Water, toilets and a shelter. Purchase campsite tickets at a Department of Conservation office before your walk. Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1813334-N5660336
  • Raetihi Holiday Park - 10 Parapara Road, Raetihi - P: 0800 40 88 88 
  • YHA National Park, 4 Findlay St, National Park — P: 07 892 2870 E: nationalpark@yha.co.nz
  • Howards Lodge BBH — 43 Carroll St, National Park — P: 07 892 2827 — E: info@howardslodge.co.nz
  • Manowhenua Lodge — Cnr of Carroll and Mackenzie Sts, National Park — P: 07 892 2854 — E: info@manowhenualodge.co.nz
  • Plateau Lodge — 17 Carroll St, National Park Village — P: 0800 861 861 freephone or 07 892 2993 — E: info@plateaulodge.co.nz

Accommodation suppliers can also help with jet boat bookings for the Whanganui River.

For those walkers detouring to complete the Round the Mountain track or northbound walkers who are busing and hiking from Whanganui, accommodation is available in Raetihi.

Food And Supply

  • National Park Service Centre - 1 Waimarino Tokaanu Rd, National Park - P: 07 892 2879 - E: nosedive@xtra.co.nz

Track Elevation and Map

Total 1 photos. Click image above to view them all.

More information

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.  

This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: 9/05/2025, 3:44 pm