**Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka: A Journey Above the Clouds** Mount Ruapehu, located in Tongariro National Park, is one of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring natural landmarks. As the country’s largest active volcano, it offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, scenic beauty, and cultural significance. One of the best ways to experience this majestic peak is through the Sky Waka gondola, a world-class attraction that provides a breathtaking journey above the rugged alpine terrain. The Sky Waka, operating year-round, ascends high above the volcanic slopes, offering panoramic views of cascading waterfalls, ancient lava flows, and the sweeping expanse of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gondola’s large, comfortable cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to immerse yourself in the surrounding beauty, no matter the season. In winter, the gondola transports visitors to Whakapapa Ski Area, New Zealand’s premier skiing destination, while in summer, it provides access to hiking trails and the chance to explore the mountain’s unique volcanic features. At the summit, visitors can enjoy a meal or hot drink at the Knoll Ridge Chalet, one of the highest cafes in the country, while taking in the dramatic alpine views. Adding to the experience, the staff at Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka are known for their warmth and hospitality. They ensure a seamless and enjoyable adventure, sharing insights about the mountain’s geology, Māori cultural heritage, and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a nature lover, thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Mount Ruapehu and the Sky Waka gondola offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of New Zealand’s volcanic wonderland.

First climb Mt Ruapehu (2797 m) in winter, from the southern side (Toroa Ski Field). It was harder than I thought. The last 600 m is very steep, and the average slope angle is larger than 40 degrees. You must be fully equipped. When taking photos, you should be very careful as nowhere is flat (you must stick your ice axe deeply into snow and ice, use it as a post to stop your feet sliding). Unfortunately, I lost my phone near the peak somewhere.

The highest mountain on north island in NZ. Definitely a must visit as it is the spot for mort tourists. It's about 5 hours drive from Auckland. Make sure to travel on a sunny day to get the best views at the Peak. We visited the skiing section of the mountain. There are charges if you would like to go higher up the mountain for skiing or site seeing.

Always eager to see how much snow is on the mountain when we head past every month or so. The Desert Rd is straight in places & windy in others. Don't speed, you will more than likely get a ticket if you go over 100kph in a vehicle (90kph if you are towing something). First views of Ruapehu are when you head north from Taihape.

Even out of season it is worth going up the mountain for the views. I was in luck in that there had been an early snow storm the previous week, so even though it is May, and everything is shut up the mountain (Sky-Waka Gondola was shut on 26th April, to re-open Kings Birthday - maintenance etc - would have loved to of gone up), there was fresh snow up at the base, so my daughter who had not been to snow for 13 years could enjoy the experience. In season parking can be hard to find (have been up other times), and if conditions are bad it is 4x4 or with chains - or of course it can even be closed. Road conditions are posted on-line on the websites, and on Met Service - weather, when clicking on mountains, and Whakapapa Ski Field - it shows mountain conditions, road conditions etc. Useful to check, as the road had been closed just days before I went up. In season there is skiing of course, food and other services. Enjoy.

Worth the trip up to Whakapapa ski field for the views alone, some great walks along the way. Halfway between the village and ski field there is a large vehicle pull over area you ca get some great pics.

Visited long back- when was not even active in Google reviews. Found pics on a old harddrive- so here it is. had the opportunity to hike to the summit of Mount Ruapehu. The hike was challenging, but the views from the top were absolutely worth it. I could see for miles in all directions, and the scenery was simply breathtaking. also had the chance to go skiing at Mount Ruapehu. The ski fields are top-notch, and there is something for everyone, from beginners to experts. The views from the ski slopes are just as amazing as the views from the summit. Here are some additional tips for visiting Mount Ruapehu: Be sure to check the weather conditions before you go. Dress warmly. Bring plenty of food and water. Be aware of your surroundings. Respect the natural environment.

A conversation with the Super helpful staff helped us make the best use of our time here. Tons of information on the history of the area presented in a museum like setting complete with a video presentation room. Clean, indoor toilet facilities. There is a large selection of topographical maps and literature available for purchase.

Friendly, helpful staff helped us plan the best day hikes in the park for the shifting weather conditions. Informative displays on the local wildlife and plants. Clean toilet facilities.

The visit centre have so many historic stories and they can give you so much help 👍

Amazing journey through beautiful landscapes all around us, and the destination being above all of them… that’s Ruapehu !

What a beautiful location and amazing visitors center, tons of helpful info for hikes and trails and volcanic information

The Staff at the centre are amazing! They gave solid advice for the northern circuit treck, after a days hiking in torrential rain & cold gale winds from waihohonu hut they gave me warmth & a place to change from my soggy mess. It was needed and appreciated, please don’t underestimate the weather. Seek advice. The centre is awesome, super informative with a lovely shop to buy some bits you may have forgot. Bravo 🙌 😘

Amazing views , highly recommend to explore .

I am not a skier but members of my family are, Turoa can be a bit of a lottery according to them; sometimes there is snow, sometimes not and sometimes it can be quite icy. The general facilities are nothing special but not bad either with relatively simple cafeteria food at the base of the slopes. The slopes themselves, when the snowfall is decent allow for decent skiing.

We went here July 12 and they were close. We were still able to play with the snow! thank you for the free experience.❤️ We will definitely go back here

Not the best weather today but kids still had fun on the sleds, big thanks Herne (from Taranaki) for your excellent service at the sledding slope.

Amazing experience as a first timer! Cafes and facilities are great.

Beautiful place to visit with family especially during the winter snow season

A huge disappointment. We usually visit Whakapapa but decided to try Turoa this time, and the sledding was a letdown. The slope was too shallow, so you kept getting stuck, and there was no magic carpet (the conveyor belt lift) to take you back, so you had to walk the entire way, dragging the sled each time.

Had a lovely meal upstairs at Freddie’s cafe the other day. Took my young children skiing up the lifts and they’ve done a fantastic job pushing the snow to form tracks. A shame the weather isn’t playing ball but we had a great time regardless.

Taranaki Falls is a pretty great loop and, taken with some other smaller hikes/walks in the area, makes for a lovely main event for the day. There are plenty of open areas along the hike that have great views of the nearby mountains and there are enough stretches of forest cover to keep the hike from feeling repetitive. The falls themselves are very beautiful and photogenic. If you can find the time to include this hike, it's worth the time spent on the trail.

Visited Taranaki Falls in September 2025, and it was a truly refreshing and scenic spot in Tongariro National Park! We drove to the trailhead and started the hike, which is an easy to moderate 2–3 hour loop, suitable for most fitness levels. The highlight, of course, was Taranaki Falls itself — a 20-meter waterfall that plunges dramatically over a lava cliff into a picturesque pool below. The sight of the water cascading with such force, surrounded by greenery and rocks, was mesmerizing. The sound of the waterfall combined with the peaceful environment made it a perfect spot to pause and soak in nature. The trail also offers great viewpoints, boardwalks over streams, and plenty of photo opportunities. We visited in early spring, so there were patches of snow around, adding a beautiful contrast to the lush forest and crisp mountain air. Taranaki Falls is ideal for both short hikes and nature photography. Well-maintained, accessible, and breathtaking, it’s a must-visit for anyone exploring Tongariro National Park. A rewarding experience that combines adventure and natural beauty!

Great hike to the falls and back. But the qualification ’easy’ might only apply to young people in excellent shape. We did a full loop, taking the lower (Northern) route on the way to the falls and the upper (Southern) on the way back. The lower route had a lot of diversity. The terrain was very nice and variable, through high bushes and forests with ferns, over small bridges and along a thundering stream. But it also has a lot of stairs up and down - mainly up towards the end. This path did not feel ‘easy’ to us, but we are in our early 60s and not experienced hikers. By the time we reached the waterfall my legs were shaking because of all those stairs. The waterfall was stunning, but a loud group of abseiled took away from the serene experience I had hoped for. So far on our trip, a lot of nice waterfalls or hikes are populated with loud groups of abseilers or waterfall jumpers. The upper path back still had some steep stair steps to the top of the waterfall, but then was relatively flat , and mostly slowly descending, with some steps. The hike took us 2h40 min (not the 2h as advertised) because of the staircases.

Taranaki Falls is absolutely stunning! If you walk at a good pace, you can reach it in about 45 minutes from the car park—but since we took our time for photos along the way, it took us about an hour. The whole walk (return) took around 2 hours. And the best part? It's completely free—no entrance fee! The trail is peaceful, scenic, and not difficult at all. The journey itself is already beautiful, but the Falls at the end make it totally worth it. Highly recommend this amazing spot!💖

An easy hike for beginners - a couple of stairs here and there during the walk. Clear and steady path walk. Heaps of carpark space, so no issues to have a big group to go for walk/hike. Recommend to check the weather before coming! Beautiful and amazing views 😍

This majestic waterfall was absolutely gushing when we visited in late September. We hiked the lower half of the loop on the way there, following along the river through the forest and up to the ridge for scenic vistas leading up to the falls pool. That was lucky, since it was fully dark by the time we made it back to the parking lot and the high road was much more open to the moon and stars- we didn't need to use our flashlights until the very end. Saw a rabbit in the parking lot as we left, though not much more for wildlife on this drizzly spring day. A reasonable hike, checked the AllTrails profile ahead of time which seemed accurate.

This is an amazing loop hike. You can see several waterfalls with the Taranaki Falls being the highlight. Many river and stream crossing along with forest paths and shrub walks. It’s an amazing hike that should not be missed.

A short and easy walk, just seven minutes all up, and ideal with kids. We had the whole place to ourselves, which made it feel even more peaceful and special. It’s another Lord of the Rings filming location ticked off our list, and what a stunning spot it is. The water is unbelievably fresh — some of the purest we’ve ever tasted — and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Honestly, it’s hard to see how anyone could rate this anything less than five stars. Some reviewers really need to have a proper look… or pull their heads in.

A bit of a longer walk than the nearby Mounds Walk but not a difficult one by any stretch. It's a well maintained path with lots of stairs and hand rails. It has two view points for the falls and both are well set up for some nice pictures. There is a parking lot but it is very small and was completely full even midweek during the off-season, so plan accordingly. Absolutely worth checking out if you are in the area.

About 8 parking spots but you can park on the side of the road. Short walk of 3 minutes, even path until you get down to the falls (let's be realistic, you're walking on rocks this cloae). The view are stunning and the water is simply divine! Some might even say they are precious...

Visited Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool) in September 2025 and it was such a beautiful and peaceful stop! Located in Tongariro National Park, this stunning waterfall is easily accessible with just a short 10–15 minute walk from the carpark. The trail is well-maintained, surrounded by lush native forest, moss-covered rocks and the soothing sound of running water, making it a lovely, relaxing stroll suitable for all ages. When we reached the falls, we immediately recognized the spot from The Lord of the Rings, this is where Gollum was seen catching fish! Seeing it in real life felt surreal. The waterfall cascades gracefully into a deep blue pool surrounded by volcanic rocks and the view was absolutely mesmerizing. The combination of clear turquoise water, greenery, and the dramatic backdrop of Mount Tongariro made it feel like a hidden gem straight out of Middle-earth. We visited in early spring and the weather was cool and crisp, with the sunlight creating a magical glow on the water. It’s a perfect spot for photography, peaceful, scenic and not crowded. Tawhai Falls may be small, but it’s full of charm and cinematic beauty. A must-stop for Lord of the Rings fans and nature lovers alike, quick, easy and incredibly rewarding!

Beautiful NZ bush and amazing falls and rapids! Take care, as steps and rocks a bit slippery after rain.

A little walk down to the waterfall. Since last being here they have installed a safety gate that warns you about potential hazards but can still get close to waterfall and take pictures.

Might be a small waterfall but stunning nonetheless. Easy 10 minutes walk from the road/parking lot, easy to find and easily enjoyable. Do note that parking is very limited(I think max 10 cars fit). The waterfall is located in a rather closed area so no Mountain View but it feels very tranquil and secluded, some big stones to sit and relax on, maybe with a packed lunch?

We hiked this track because the crossing was cancelled both days we were in town. But it was a lot of fun, even in the rain. I would recommend going earlier in the day as it gets a bit crowded as the day goes on. We had the lakes to ourselves for 30 min and we started around 7:15am. I would say it’s a moderate to easy track. There is a bathroom on the trail, but I don’t think they had toilet paper so be sure to bring that.

Very nice hike, beautiful surrounding and cool volcanic landscape! Would recommend going early :)

We had planned to complete the Tongariro Alpine crossing but were advised against it due to bad weather conditions on the mountain. Our backup was the return hike to Upper Tama lakes. We started at sunrise and were the only ones there when we arrived, saw no one else on the way up to the upper lake. Much busier on the way back so I recommend getting up early to start with the sun. We encountered heavy winds but conditions were otherwise perfect. Layer appropriately, out of the wind and in direct sun it was hot, but in the shade and when exposed to the wind it was very cold, I wore a balaclava to protect from the worst of the wind.

The scenery of the Lower lake is charming. It is highly recommended to continue walking for another 35 minutes to explore the magnificence of the Upper lake.

Absolutely beautiful. 3-4hr walk from Whakapapa one-way. The walk to Lower Tama is relatively easy, nice gradient, if long in distance. The walk from lower Tama to upper Tama is beautiful, but a lot steeper. Definitely worth it though. Be careful on the loose rocks. There are plenty of steep dropoffs on every side, but the walkable area is quite wide. I don't recommend trying to swim in either lake; it's a very steep descent/ascent that is potentially treacherous, not to mention culturally questionable given the significance of the lakes to local iwi.

Awesome hike, with amazing scenery! Best to walk the track to Taranaki Falls clockwise, much better way to see the falls. Took us 3:30hrs of walk time for the entire 18km. Add another hour on for lunch and general sightseeing. We went in New Years Day and it was still very cold at the top, so pack for all conditions.

Great place to visit the walk to lower Lake is steady and quite easy. The walk upto the upper lake is a bit more challenging but the view is worth it. The walk back down you must take care as very loose gravel and rock so take steady.

The highlight of this walk is in every part of it. It was amazing - the scenery, the volcanic terrain, the view of the snowy mountains nearby and the rapids. I really liked it! The track is well maintained and easy to walk on.

Pretty cool spot. Beautiful views and easy walk. Surprised to not see many people on Waitangi day

Very enjoyable hike and a great option during winter, I loved it!! When you make it to the rapids make sure you walk an extra 15 minutes to get to a great view 🤩

A truly beautiful hike! Please wear proper hiking boots.

Amazing experience, plenty of bush, rock and mountain. Uneven terrain, plenty of steep grades, but plenty of rest spots and time to take photos or smell the flowers. The loop requires you to be picked up or walk the mountain road. There are no footpaths and limited margins. Please be mindful, watch oncoming traffic In NZ we normally walk on the right to watch hazards) and cross sides before blind corners - keep yourself safe! Shortest route is 1.5hrs return, from top of the road about 5km past the village. You're looking at about 3hrs return from the bottom carpark thats by the holiday park. Loop is approximately 2.5hrs allowing time to smell the flowers. Use the toilets by the information centre before you head out. Take photographs, stick to the tracks, leave only footprints.

Very scenic walk around the bogs and wetlands. Quite a few steps so not suitable for prams. Unique gold rivers and streams all the way up to the rapids, which has a nice viewing platform to see them. Some of the path is low level which can get muddy so choose your foot ware carefully. The Bruce road track comes out about 20min walk from whakapapa village, no footpath along Bruce road so don’t recommend going that way.

If you don't have time for the full 2.5 hour loop, or you don't want to walk along the road, I would recommend parking at the pull-in on Bruce Road (a couple of kms up from the village) and doing an out-and-back walk to the rapids, this makes it a 90-ish minute round trip including stops for photos. The information online seems to recommend doing it as a loop from the village but this means half the walk is just on the road which didn't look too fun.

I’ve done trail rides in more than ten countries across five continents so trust me when I say this is one of the best rides with absolutely stunning scenery. Under Hone’s expert guidance, you’ll get to see pristine forests not otherwise accessible and experience a wide variety of terrains. Forget hiking, go for this ride!

The best experience of NZ we have had, if you want a day to challenge yourself and meet two of the nicest people come here!

Great experience

Awesome my daughter and I had an awesome day. Tu meke.

Absolutely beautiful nothing else.can get you that close to nature

(Translated by Google) Best experience ever. Fabulous guides, gorgeous family. Thank you Hone and Wai, I will be back 😁 Many thanks to you (Original) Best experience ever. Fabulous guides, gorgeous whanau. Thank you Hone and Wai, I will be back 😁 Ngā mihi nui ki a koe

Parking the car felt like playing Russian roulette due to multiple glass shards on the ground from previous car break- ins and wondering if our vehicle would be safe on our return from the walk. The lake itself is beautiful but the walk is longer than suggested on the track information. No toilets available either as a natural attraction. However if there is a ‘next time’, I would take my togs for a swim to make the walk worth while.

Fantastic walk in a native bush forest. Easy 1hr walk that has beautiful lake views and native bush. With an easy 15 min walk up to the lake you then descend into the old crater to walk around the lake for a 5km loop walk. Parking is limited, crossing the road can be tricky. Be careful pulling in off the main road and crossing to the track start

Very cool walk through the bush. Very cool beach which was deserted. Take plenty of water, it's a good hour all around and a nice hard uphill 20 minute walk from the car park.

Beautiful bush walk. Very sacred place I'm 71yrs old & managed the uphill down dale walk just fine, good track & yet be aware it is hilly

Great walk, 2,hr return, track goes up and down. No toilet facilities. Free of road parking.

2 hour walk at a slow pace, took me 90 mins at a medium pace with a few stops. Good easy track though lots of foliage so might be a bit slippery after heavy rain. Peaceful walk that’s mostly covered with moments on the lakeside ‘beach’ . Think I saw some Grey ducks or grey/mallard cross. A great walk for families!

Peaceful. The birds serenade me. The water was beautiful. Thank you

I am not a skier but members of my family are, Turoa can be a bit of a lottery according to them; sometimes there is snow, sometimes not and sometimes it can be quite icy. The general facilities are nothing special but not bad either with relatively simple cafeteria food at the base of the slopes. The slopes themselves, when the snowfall is decent allow for decent skiing.

We went here July 12 and they were close. We were still able to play with the snow! thank you for the free experience.❤️ We will definitely go back here

Not the best weather today but kids still had fun on the sleds, big thanks Herne (from Taranaki) for your excellent service at the sledding slope.

Amazing experience as a first timer! Cafes and facilities are great.

Beautiful place to visit with family especially during the winter snow season

A huge disappointment. We usually visit Whakapapa but decided to try Turoa this time, and the sledding was a letdown. The slope was too shallow, so you kept getting stuck, and there was no magic carpet (the conveyor belt lift) to take you back, so you had to walk the entire way, dragging the sled each time.

Had a lovely meal upstairs at Freddie’s cafe the other day. Took my young children skiing up the lifts and they’ve done a fantastic job pushing the snow to form tracks. A shame the weather isn’t playing ball but we had a great time regardless.

Must see for LoTR fans as the location for Emyn Muil relatively easy walk follow the markers and would recommend proper walking shoes as the ground is uneven with many loose stones

An absolute must see for lotr fans especially. We went up the ski slope for an overview but the main walk is just straight under the ski lifts and takes you in a direct line to it.

A spectacular sight! Probably not for the ones who are afraid of heights, but a nice, short hike to wonderful views down the cliff and across Tongariro National Park

Easy walk and climb for a view of Mount Doom / Mt Ngauruhoe. We lacked a bit of luck to see the full glory of Mt Doom as it was cloudy despite waiting for good 1 hr. Love it nonetheless and recommends for LOTR fans

Easy to get to. Off to the side of a ski resort. Quick jaunt under the tram way. Easy scramble and nice view. Edge might be a bit much for height fearful. Worth the stop.

Easy walk from the gondola on a well-marked but rocky path. The hike up to the saddle is rocky and less-well defined. From the saddle, if it’s a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of Mt. Ngauruhoe.

My wife and I were there in 2016 to get married in hobbiton and this was also a highlight of our trip and one of the most memorable moments of my entire life. Being on top of this beautiful mountain overlooking another volcanic Mountain realizing that where I came thru in my life and the troubles I've had and the troubles that they have endured in the movie in the books and here I was seeing but I've only seen in a film but now with my own eyes it was a very powerful emotional experience one that I'll never forget.

The worst track in Tongariro and Ohakune area, no doubt. Waste of time.

Amazing walk. Just keep in mind your road safety if doing the loop.

On a clear day I expect this walk is beautiful, with the mist in situ i still found it beautiful and worth doing. Really lovely flowers all the way up which was nice, saw a giant bee feeding from the white flowers which I was told is the manuka honey plant.

Uphill track but it just ends somewhere on a hillside with a table but no chairs. It offers a wide view of the other two volcanoes with Ruapehu partly hidden by the bush.

Very nice views on the walk.

Cloudy day! Can’t see snow mountains, but the views are still perfect. It is worth walking to the end of the track.

Definitely a good place to walk up as it offers very good view. Highly recommended.

Easy flat trail with some information along the way about the native plant species and different ecosystem zones. Takes about 15 min to walk. There’s an option of going down by the river, which is a nice little detour (it doesn’t extend the walk at, it runs parallel to the upper path).

Its a free and easy walk. Better continue with others walk otherwise will be too short, only 10minutes. I took the Whakapapanui Walk.

It is a very easy walk. Good as a tourist who want to see some of our native plant. Wheel chair friendly.

Short easy walk through a very green area.

Nice and small walk also suitable for parents with stroller, people with wheel chair, parent with young children. There is a 2 min detour to river I would highly recommend to so that. There are other walks nearby which can range from 1 he to 8 hrs.

Great. Just right for 2 old codgers who walked up the hill from the Chateau.

Beautiful scenery, easy walkway through the forest and alongside the river. We arrived in the evening and walked the way under evening sky. It was so quiet and chilling...

This is one of my favourite spots on the North Island. The drive to get there is easily my preferred way to access the top of Ruapehu over the common other route. The drive here is full of beautiful forest sites and it gets slightly uphill as you get nearer. The falls themselves are magical and quite tall, and the walk there is barely five minutes that anyone could actually do it. This was the site of Gollum’s pool on The Two Towers. Overall, a must visit spot if you are heading up to Turoa.

A brief five-minute walk provides access to observe the vibrant waterfalls and their crystal-clear waters.

Awesome today. Beautiful icicles. Only 2 minutes walk off Turoa Skifield road. See pics

Nice easy waterfall to access, just a few metres from the carpark. Although it’s not gollums pool. Has been mislabeled. Still a cool waterfall to see if you’re in the area.

A lovely scenic spot, but an added bonus if you can recognise this scene from Lord of the Rings! Very easy to find and quiet. There's a few parking spots right next to it as well.

Stunning Spot made even more special by the location being a LOTR filming location.

Really close to the road and fairly easy to walk too. This is free to visit.