Parkview Apartments, Tongariro National Park
Complement your adventure.
Self-catering Holiday Home Accommodation on the Adventure Highway. Near Whakapapa & Turoa Ski Areas, Old Coach Road Mountain Bike Trail, Tongariro Alpine Crossing & Chateau Tongariro Hotel.
Tongariro National Park Walks
There are hundreds of amazing walks in and around the Tongariro National Park. From easy 15 minute walks to the iconic 6--8 hour Tongariro Alpine Crossing, there is a walk suited to every fitness ability. Here's a selection we recommend you try while in the area.
Source: Department of Conservation
Taranaki Falls Walk
2 hours, 6 kilometre loop track. Begins 100 metres below Whakapapa Visitor Centre at Ngauruhoe Place - 15 minues from Parkview Apartments. The track to Taranaki Falls has excellent mountain views and crosses a range of land forms. The upper and lower tracks form a loop with the falls situated around the half-way point. The lower track passes through tussock and alpine shrublands before entering beech forest. On a clear day Ngauruhoe’s symmetrical cone and the older, eroded mountains of Tongariro and Pukekaikiore are visible. From the forest edge the track passes over the Wairere Stream with impressive views of a small narrow gorge. Continuing on up the track, Taranaki Falls come into view tumbling 20 metres over the edge of a large andesite lava flow which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago. Native birds likely to be heard in this area include pipits, fern birds and occasionally skylarks.
Tupapakurua Falls Track
4 - 5 hours, 11 kilometres (return) to Tupapakurua Falls lookout. Begins at Fishers Road, National Park Village. Walk about 30 minutes down Fishers Road to the start of the Tupapakurua Falls Track (left side of road). The track has recently been upgraded by the local community in partnership with the Department of Conservation. It begins with an easy 20 minute walk to the Taranaki Lookout. From this point the track becomes a back country adventure track and is suitable for experienced trampers only. The track follows a ridge and then descends steeply to a stream. There are good stands of tawa, mature rimu, miro and totara to see along the way. Climbing from the stream, the track winds its way around bluffs to a good lookout point with views of the falls. Return via the same track.
Tawhai Falls Track
20 minutes, return via same track. Begins 4 kilometres below Whakapapa Visitor Centre on SH 48 and 15 minutes from National Park Village. The falls, which tumble over the edge of an ancient lava flow, are reached after a short stroll through mountain toatoa and beech forest.
Meads Wall Track
Ten minute walk (return) from Iwikau Village at the base area on Whakapapa Ski Area. This is at the top of the Bruce Road. A 20 minutes drive from National Park Village. Follow the route to Meads Wall - a spectacular rocky outcrop which was one of the filming locations for the Lord of the Rings movies. Meads Wall drops off steeply and care is required whilst standing at the edge to enjoy spectacular views of the valley below and Ngauruhoe to the northeast.
