We elected not to do this as we had to get to the other side of the mountain to catch our four thirty bus home, and didn’t want to have to rush. Mount Ngauruhoe - the model for Mount Doom Photo: CC0, pixabay.com New Zealand is a magic word for those who love wild landscapes, solitude, and adventure. May I ask what size pack you carried on this trip up Ngauruhoe? New Zealand’s mountainous terrain provides the perfect landscape for hikers and those who enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of the largest mountains in the area, so you will be able to see if from some way away (depending on the angle of course). When I lived in New Zealand, I worked at a location conveniently right between the start and finish of the walk. Thanks for the info it really helped. the climb up to red crater looking back to Mt Ngauruhoe . This website contains affiliate links to products and services that generate a small income to us if you choose to use them, at no cost to you. About 50 metres in, we realised that perhaps it was a serious warning. The walk itself is very well marked, and the track is not too hard. Planning to hike the crossing in November 2019, so thanks for the detailed description. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (and I assume you carried at least 2-3L of water?) finlaygj wrote a review Apr 2019. Perfectly conical sides lead up to the crater rim, and steam obligingly pours off the top to complete the picture. In New Zealand, Mount Doom is more commonly known as Mount Ngauruhoe, found in Tongariro National Park. The path up to the start of the climb is beautiful and well done. Sanity prevailed. Mt Ngauruhoe Shrowded in Clouds on the Tongoriro Alpine Crossing; Mt Ngaurohoe in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. Mount Ngauruhoe is also the famous Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings. Save Comp. But still, you can’t help but peer at it, knowing that actually, in your heart, you consider this to be Tolkien’s mountain, the mountain he would have imagined Doom to be like, had he been thinking of a mountain. Please scroll to the end to leave a comment, Hi! From the blue lake it was all downhill – we rounded a corner and lost sight of Ngauruhoe, hidden behind the bulk of Tongariro, and started the long descent. I plan to go the same season, in October. The bus company brochure describes this part of the walk as “very challenging”, a warning which we assumed was your usual over the top safety conscious stuff. From there you can ascend. Similar Photos See All. I was not aware of this when I climbed the peak. In Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Mount Doom was represented by two active volcanoes in New Zealand: Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. It was also explained that Mount Doom is therefore sacred ground and the summit cannot be climbed. It is lauded as New Zealand’s best one day hike. Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above. Oops! Mount Doom can be found in the Tongariro National Park on New Zealand’s north island. Enjoy an exclusive Mt Ngauruhoe Guided Walk in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand, if you are keen for more adventure. That is amazing you pushed yourself to continue up… despite being left to go alone! The bus driver explained how a local iwi leader in the 1800s gifted Mount Ngauruhoe to the people of New Zealand, upon condition that it remained in the hands of the people. Ok, so I know it’s not really called Mount Doom. Most notable of these is the Emyn Muil area, which was filmed on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, the north island’s highest peak. I am travelling to NZ next week and really want to see Mount Doom – or Mount Ngauruhoe if you wish. Additionally, DOC rangers are usually found on the mountain near the point where you would set off to ascend. The way to climb Mount Doom is to do a part of the Tongariro Alpine crossing. Possibly summit one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes. Even in the quieter part of the season, when we did it, there were plenty of people about. Could you let me know which lake you mean? The long descent is the main reason the walk is only done in one direction, for whilst you start at an altitude of 1100m, you finish at around 700m, and most folk aren’t too keen on tramping up that extra 400m. Obviously the significance of the mountain has not changed, but this system was not in place when I climbed the mountain back in 2010, and I wasn’t aware of this. Next time will try and stay in one of the towns closer to this mountain. Wonderful – thanks for sharing! Grasses frame the volcano that was Mount Doom in Mordor in Lord of the Rings. Is there a way around this I really want to go to the top. If you do notice any changes when you are there, please do let me know so I can be sure it’s accurate for other readers! What kind of footwear would you recommend using in December? The climb, however, is … The sight of other people carrying on bolstered my confidence, even though I had no idea at all how I was going to get back down, and I pressed on, finally making it to the top in just under two hours. However, as of 2017, the situation has changed a little. Being billed as New Zealand’s top one day walk inevitably means that the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is busy. Available for your own private use, this trip is available with your own private guide(s). When did you do this hike? It will be pretty warm in December as it’s mid summer. Given that Ngauruhoe is an active volcano, you might want to check up on any Geonet warnings for the area too. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". The climb, however, is not one for faint-hearted Hobbits. Thank you so much for your time and help – and have a lovely day! Required fields are marked *, Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!). In this post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to both climb Mount Doom, and also hike the Tongariro Crossing, both of which are found on New Zealand north island. Lord of the Rings fans will know Mt Ngauruhoe as the epic volcanic force that brought Mt Doom to life. It was a 20 minute drive to the start, and about a five minute drive from the finish. Filming the summit of Ngauruhoe itself was not permitted because it is sacred to the Māori of the region. A portion of this drive is through the so-called Desert Road which passes on the edges of Tongariro National Park: the home of Mount Doom (known in New Zealand as Mount Ngauruhoe). Photo about Grasses frame the volcano that was Mount Doom in Mordor in Lord of the Rings. We only recommend products and services that we use ourselves, and will always link to relevant information, regardless of whether or not there is an affiliate program. It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro volcanic complex on the Central Plateau of the North Island, and first erupted about 2,500 years ago. Click here to find out more. Helpful. I just carried an Osprey day pack, I think it’s 25L. Always good to have feedback to help others . Hey there, and thanks for the comment. The interests of the country’s inhabitants include both the arts and sports. I wonder if it is possible to climb Mt Doom if there is snow. Laurence and Jessica Norah are the British-American travel blogging couple behind photography & adventure travel blog Finding the Universe and luxury / couples travel blog Independent Travel Cats. When I did this hike, it was allowed to climb Mount Ngauruhoe. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Hiking Tongariro Crossing was an amazing experience. Hi guys, I am planning to do this walk on Sep 11, 2016. And wow, was that worth it. You might recognize Mount Ngauruhoe as it starred as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. You mention the fabulous view across to Mt Taranaki ‘to your south-east’. I hope to climb it in summer. The scenery, as you can imagine, is absolutely spellbinding. The article is still valid though, and I’ve fixed that issue. Mount Doom Doom. Let’s get to that now, and hopefully answer all your questions! So when the weather gave us a good day, with clear skies and barely a breeze in the air, we took a break from our work and headed up to the mountain. Doom) as seen from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail Mount Ngauruhoe is located next to the South Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. You can do the walk in Winter with a guide too, although that’s crampons and ice axe territory, so bring some fitness and warm clothing. So not too big. Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor, Last updated: December 9, 2019. At this point I re-met my companion, and we set off again on the walk. If not, how far in on the hike do you have to go to get an OK view of it? Next time will try and stay in one of the towns closer to this mountain. We've been running this site since 2010. Finding the Universe contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Which obviously, we did. We pressed on. We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. According to their beliefs, the sacred New Zealand mountains were once great gods and warriors. Read more. The red crater is so called because, well, it’s all red. Unexpectedly got views of Mount Ngauruhoe en route while traveling in a bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted. See our Code of Ethics for more information. The mountain was recently chosen by movie director Peter Jackson to play Mt Doom in his 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Must have missed this question – sorry! The Tongariro Alpine crossing is an 18.5km one way day hike which crosses the volcanic centre of New Zealand’s North Island, between the summits of Mount Tongariro (1967m) and Mount Ngauruhoe (2287m). You start off walking from the car park to the Mangatepopo Hut along a giant valley lined with lava flows and boulders, before the first serious ascent, up to the Mangatepopo saddle, which is right between the Tongariro and Ngauruhoe summits. And then the walk began. Helpfully, one of the shuttle bus companies (Tongariro Expeditions) was kind enough to give us a lift up with one of their morning runs which go from the park we work in to the car park the walk starts in. finlaygj wrote a review Apr 2019. Free for commercial use, DMCA Contact Us From  the top of the red crater – the half way point of the track and it’s highest point – there is an option to ascend another 100m or so on a 3km return trip to the summit of Tongariro, which is a much more popular side option. Image of doom, famous, rough - 13918660 Dark ruby coloured earth contrasted against the startlingly blue sky, as steam poured out of the rocks – the smell of sulphur was heavy in the air. Read more about us here. Hi, We did this in early October, when there was still some snow but not too much. Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! Certainly somewhere without trees. I will be there Jan 2020. Behind us, Ngauruhoe loomed. As most of the walkers had not done Ngauruhoe, we were now over two hours behind everyone else, and thus had much of the rest of the walk almost to ourselves, which was brilliant. The visibility, even from the relatively low point of the car park at 1100m, was incredible. Between March and October violent wind gusts are very common, as are snow storms that will quickly sweep the mountain temperatures to well below zero. While you’re in Tangariro, consider walking the the Tangariro Alpine Crossing. We're full time professional travel bloggers, and we visit all the places we write about personally. Mars perhaps. From the red crater the track descends to the emerald lakes, aptly named for their mesmerising colours, with snow lining the edge. I do have one question I have read on the other sites that you can no longer climb mount nguaruhoe because they have rangers there. Thank you. Ages ago, there were seven mountains around Lake Taupo, all of them male except for the beautiful Pihanga, and all of whom loved her. I began to realise why this part of the walk was both optional and not that busy. Share. Being a subscriber also makes you eligible to enter our monthly travel and photography giveaways! Lord of the Rings fans will know Mt Ngauruhoe as the epic volcanic force that brought Mt Doom to life. I happily admit to being pretty poor at directions. Your email address will not be published. – Irene. If you do go and try to climb it and are able to provide me with an update that would be very helpful. Please check your e-mail to activate your subscription. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy. I generally carry around 3 litres of water for a day hike like this. You can definitely see it from the car park, and from much further away as well. If you need an idea of how to do this, take a look at these guides on what to bring to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Winter and the essential must-haves to carry throughout your journey. I hope this helps. Magic Mountain. Among the sports that New Zealander’s enjoy is hiking. A group of 90 schoolchildren fled from a volcano in New Zealand dubbed 'Mount Doom' featured in Lord of the Rings after it erupted today. In the non-fiction realm, the Tongariro National Park mountain appeals to adventurous New Zealand travellers eager to conquer its majestic summit. The walk itself starts at around 1100m and the main track peaks at around 1880m, with the option of climbing to the summit of both Tongariro and Ngauruhoe as you go. Yes, it’s real name is a Maori word: Ngauruhoe (pronounced, from what I can tell, Nara-ho-ee). The trail covers various terrains, hikers will trek in between two live volcanoes. You'll also be eligible for our monthly giveaways! Whilst this part of the walk is also staggeringly pretty, with the mass of Lake Taupo laid out before you, and nearly all of the northern half of the North island visible, by this point feet are starting to get tired and folk are thinking of that first cold beer. The best advice? Māori knew this wild plateau area in central New Zealand as Te Kahui Tupua, which means the sacred peaks. Easy Hiking in New Zealand . In the summer, the steep terrains of Mt Doom become more difficult to navigate due to loose tephra ( material produced by volcanic eruptions) – as such, you need to be extra careful about falling rocks in order to avoid serious injuries. You can also join our facebook group to talk all things travel and photography related! The descent takes you past the Ketetahi Hut and the Ketetahi Hot Springs – the latter of which are private Maori land and therefore not accessible to walkers – before the final 6.5km down through the alpine forest and to the car park. In long shots, the mountain is either a large model or a CGI effect, or a combination. New Zealand’s most popular day track takes you almost 20kms past hot springs, craters, and the remnants of lava flows. Mt Ngaurohoe in … No matter when you’re facing this wondrous feat, you need to take care during the afternoon hours as the sun will warm the slopes and make them more slippery. This, however, was not to be. Tongariro National Park, and by default Mt Ngauruhoe, is somewhat notorious for its temperamental alpine weather conditions. If you’re travelling in summer, make the central lava rib your primary focus. The longer, more challenging climb begins around Waihohonu Hut, off Desert Road. A track that stretches between Oturere and the Tama Lakes will lead you the volcanic cone’s base. Steam mysteriously poured out of the ground below my feet, as the snow covered crater rim loomed before me. Mount Ngauruhoe (Mt. Treacherous ice flows, especially after a bout of rain, mean that specialist ice equipment is mandatory for all winter climbers. When you draw a volcano as a kid, or make one out of papier-mache in an inevitable science class, chances are, it will look just like Mount Ngauruhoe. mount doom, new zealand, tongariro, ngauruhoe, park, national, alpine, crossing, crater, colorful, people Public Domain I circumnavigated the outer and lower part of the rim, stopping to take a lot of photos, before the final push up another fifty metres or so of hard packed snow got me to the top and I was able to peer within. volcano, mount doom, new zealand, t, tongariro, national, park, alpine, mountain, volcanic Public Domain. There was no sign of orcs or dark, twisted evildoers. This part of the walk is well known for feeling longer than it is, and you really do start to wonder if you have become lost in a never ending forest trail. Not bad. Iconic snow-capped mountain was used in the Lord of the Rings movies and is better known as Mount Doom. 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