New Zealand - Climbing Mt Ruapehu

On the Cheap: New Zealand - Climbing Mt Ruapehu

Time from Auckland CBD: 4 hours non stop

Cost: Free

This walk was so much fun, and the lack of any route markings adds to the adventure! We spent the day eating too many MnMs, taking the most difficult route to the ridge line possible, leading other walkers astray and fighting off frostbite in our fingers. This walk is straight up the mountain, but the views over National Park are worth the huffing and puffing!

Length of track: 7 - 10km

Time to walk: 5 - 8 hours

Track conditions: Alpine

What to take:

At least 3L water
Plently of food
Strong shoes
First aid kit
Gloves
Sun hat
Warm hat
Water and wind proof jacket and over trousers
Three warm top layers (no cotton)
Two water bottom layers (no cotton)
SNACKS!

How to get there:

Start from Iwikau Village

Cost: Free

Distance: 10km

Park in Iwikau Village at the end of Bruce Road, and follow the path up to the end of chair lift.

Start from Knoll Ridge

Cost: $30 pp

Distance: 7km

Park in Iwikau Village at the end of Bruce Road, and get the chair lift up to Knoll Ridge. The chair lift is open from 9am to 4pm during the summer.

From the top of the chairlift, follow the T-bar up, and once you hit the ice, either stay to the left or the right of ice, and follow it up to the ridge line. When you get to the ridge line, there should be an obvious path to the crater if it has not been snowing. On the way down, try and follow the way you came up. As long as you can see the car park, you should be able to get back down!