National Park Village borders the World Heritage Tongariro National Park to the east and the Whanganui National Park, to the west. The village is located near the base of Mt Ruapehu, at the intersection of SH 4 & SH 47 on the volcanic plateau. Discovering the secrets of the volcanic wilderness and experiencing where adventure happens, National Park Village is naturally an ideal base for your summer and winter explorations.

We have some wonderful walks around National Park Village Taranaki Lookout

2.5 hours return walk from National Park Village through native bush with many ferns and mosses.

Tupapakurua Falls lookout

Allow 4 to 5 hours return is an extension of Taranaki Lookout.

Mt Ruapehu

New Zealand’s most accessible live volcano is Mt Ruapehu. You can ride the Sky Waka gondola up the mountain (mid December to early May) and enjoy unsurpassed views over the central North Island.

Northern Circuit (3-4 days)

Trek around Mt Ngauruhoe, including much of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, starting at Mangatepopo or Whakapapa Village and finishing at Whakapapa Village. Each day offers different highlights.

Round the Mountain

4-6 days hike around Mt Ruapehu. A great back country experience with solitude and magnificent mountain views.

Tama Lakes (5-6 hours)

A gradual climb through tussock and alpine herb fields. Tama Lakes occupy several old explosion craters. This walk is often very windy so take windproof gear.

Silica Rapids (2.5 hours)

A highly varied walk taking in beech forest, subalpine plants, swamp, tussock, and the creamy-white terraces of the Silica Rapids.

Taranaki Falls (2 hours)

Starts 100 m below the I-Site in Whakapapa Village. This is a loop track through beech forest and tussock, over some eroded gullies formed by wind, rain and frost on volcanic soil. The Wairere Stream tumbles 20 metres from a lava flow to a pool below creating the Taranaki Falls. There are several spots to admire the thunderous ‘shower’.

Whakapapaiti Valley (4-5 hours)

A track with spectacular views of the Whakapapaiti Valley, beech forest and bush-clad ridges. Involves crossing the Whakapapaiti Stream (no bridge); please don’t attempt after heavy rain.

Ridge Track (40 minutes)

A short climb through beech forest and alpine shrublands. Good views from the top.

Tawhai Falls (20 minutes)

The falls which were formed from an ancient lava flow (LOTR filming site) are reached after a short stroll through mountain totara and beech forest.

Mounds Walk (20 minutes)

The mounds were formed thousands of years ago by avalanches of debris from volcanic activity. Good views of the volcanoes from the top.

Whakapapa Nature Walk (15 minutes)

pleasant, easy loop track taking in some of the unique flora of the area. There are a series of informative panels along the way explaining the various vegetative zones throughout the park. Wheelchair access.

New Zealand’s largest ski area

When the winter snow arrives, (June through to late October), both local ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa attract winter fun seekers.

During the summer months (December – May), the Sky Waka gondola operates up to Knoll Ridge Cafe, 2020 m a.s.l., on Mt Ruapehu for sight seeing.

Whakapapa Ski Area – 20 minutes from National Park Village

New Zealand’s largest, most developed ski area. Within the 600 acre boundary, there are a myriad of options that cater to beginners right through to advanced skiers out to challenge their limits. There are plenty of marked trails but the off piste skiing at Whakapapa is superb.

Whakapapa is renowned for its world class beginner facilities in Happy Valley. It has become a popular zone for first time ski and snowboarders with its wide gentle slopes. Happy Valley has separate ski hire facilities and a 120-seat cafeteria to re-energize in throughout the day. With its north facing basin, many steep faces, slopes, and gullies, Whakapapa is an adventure playground for those more intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders looking for a challenge.

Turoa Ski Area – 55 minutes from National Park Village

Turoa offers an unparalleled winter experience for all. The high altitude and south west facing slopes means plenty of dry winter snow from July until September, and perfect corn snow in October, for awesome skiing and boarding.

Turoa’s terrain is nature’s answer to the perfect terrain park. The Alpine Meadow is a gentle, sheltered area for the first timers, while on the upper mountain, tricky chutes and steeps abound to challenge the expert. The wide, open slopes of Turoa provide plenty of great cruising, and the formed Terrain Park give riders a specially designed area to practice their tricks.

National Park Village is the natural destination from which to start and finish your 1, 2, 3, or 5 day Whanganui River Experience.

This timeless river finds its origin high on Mt Tongariro starting as alpine stream and gathering waters from Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu. As it descends through the Central Volcanic Plateau it sweeps in a huge northern arc towards Taumarunui and then winds southwards towards Wanganui and the Tasman Sea.

Today this remote river provides a wilderness haven for unique outdoor adventure. In very few places in the world can you now take a canoe on a river several days totally cut off from the pressures of civilisation. People of all levels of fitness and ages can experience The Whanganui Journey.

The 42 Traverse (46 km 3 – 7hours)

The 42 Traverse is a mountain bike ride through State Forest 42, and is one of the premium MTB rides in New Zealand. Renowned for the long and often rutted down hills, to test even the most ardent Kamikaze MTB freak.

The track surface varies from gravel to mud, some stream crossings, and with all good things there is normally some bad and yes it is true there are the inevitable up-hills. The scenery is absolutely spectacular – from wide vistas of all three volcanoes to lush unspoiled bush.

This is a unique track as you can either enjoy the magnificent beauty with your family on a more relaxed and peaceful outing or tear the knobs off your tyres with your friends.

Fishers Track (27 km 2 -3 hours)

Starts in National Park Village with wide open views of the mountains, following a short climb through the Erua forest. You will enjoy over 600 m descent through native bush into the Retaruke Valley and along gravel roads to the War Memorial Monument on the corner of Oio Road where your transport will collect you. Or if you are keen, ride back up through Kaitieke and Raurimu to National Park.

Marton Sash & Door (16 – 19 kms, 2,5 – 3,5 hours)

Appropriate for the whole family, this loop trail follows a recovered bush tramway route, starting and finishing in National Park Village, grade 2. You will bounce in and out of pine plantation as you travel alongside the North Island Main Trunk Railway Line.

Old Coach Road Trail (14 km 2.5 hours) part of National Cycleway

The trail starts in Horopito, 14 km decent to Ohakune Railway Station, Grade 2, through forest, over 2 viaducts, some cobbled road, through a curved tunnel. Transport with bike rack or trailer is available.