Mangatepopo to National Park

Mangatepopo Track — 9km / 3-4 hours - CLOSED

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. 

The Mangatepopo Track between Mangatepopo Hut (km 1,158.1) and Whakapapa Village (km 1,168) is closed.  Southbound Te Araroa hikers can walk out to SH 47 from Mangatepopo Hut and follow SH 47 for 13.6 km to National Park/Waimarino (km 1,188). 

DOC have advised that Mangatepopo Road is used mostly by shuttles and buses and is narrow, windy and dusty, making it unsafe for walkers. They would much prefer hikers take a shuttle or a different route.

Round the Mountain detour

Hikers can bypass Mangatepopo Hut and the closed track by following the Northern Circuit route clockwise from the Emerald Lakes (km 1,151.8) past Oturere Campsite, Waihohohu Hut and the Tama Lakes to rejoin the Te Araroa route at Whakapapa Village. Continue from there on the Whakapapaiti Valley Track and Mangahuia Track to reach SH 47 at the Mangahuia Campsite and follow SH 47 for 6.4 km to National Park/Waimarino (km 1,188) to Waihohonu Hut

The distance from the Emerald Lakes junction to Whakapapa Village is approximately 27 km. Oturere Hut and Campsite are closed for renovation. Waihohonu Campsite is open.  Waihohonu Hut is bookable with 20% discount for Te Araroa Trail Pass Holders.

If you are following the Tongariro Northern Circuit Detour from near the highpoint on the Tongariro Alpine Trail at Emerald Lakes (km 1,151.8) and past Waihohohu Hut there is an optional further and longer detour available, using the Round the Mountain Track.  

The Round the Mountain starts from Waihohonu Hut heading south and traverses diverse volcanic, desert and forest landscapes, passing Rangipo Hut, Mangaehuehu Hut, Ohakune Mountain Road, Mangaturuturu Hut and Whakapapaiti Hut to rejoin Te Araroa Trail at km 1,174, the start of the Mangahuia Track out to SH 47. It crosses two dramatic swingbridges and takes 2 - 4 days 

The distance form Waihohonu Hut to to rejoin Te Araroa at km 1,174 is approximately 48 km

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 to 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.