New Zealand : Tongario Alpine Crossing

[5foot5]

DH and I are in the early stages of planning a holiday to New Zealand next year. We have seen a Fly Drive itinerary that we really like the look of with TrailFinders. One of the items on the itinerary is a guided walk on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This is described as 12 miles, 8 hours and "challenging" whatever that means.

Now, DH and I do love walking. We live on the edge of the Peak District and walk there regularly. We have also done a few self guided, hotel to hotel walks in Europe. Sometimes these will have a leg of 10 miles or more. However, we are both in our 60s and I occasionally have knee problems.

Also, if I am being honest, I am not good with paths where I feel exposed. For example, a narrow path with a steep fall to the side. I found sections of Cornish Coastal path challenging!

So, I guess I am trying to find out, from anyone who has done this, how difficult is this path really? Do you have to be super fit and are there any sections that are a bit scary?

Never been to NZ myself (would love to!) - there are videos on Youtube which should give you some idea of what the walk is like, eg.

I did this day hike, albeit twenty years ago when I was 31. I don't remember it being too hard - a bit up and down but very beautiful.

We did it in our 20s. It was an early start around 7am, pretty chilly so pack layers! I think the guide books say to allow 6-8 hours but we did it in 5.5 as a fairly fit young couple, so I think you would be fine going at your own pace and stopping when you need to. I don't remember it being overly difficult or any scary drops, a bit strenuous in places as you are obviously walking all the way up then a long descent down the other side. The scenery was fantastic though, definitely one of the highlights of our trip to NZ.

Are you visiting South Island too? If you feel Tongario is a bit too much, the Hooker Valley track near Mount Cook was also really scenic and much less strenuous. It's about three hours out and back along a well made track.

I live in NZ and a few of my visitors have done it, as well as family members. My mum did it when she was around 79, she's fit and a regular hiker at home. To be honest she found it hard going, particularly on her knees, more to do with the terrain which I understand is quite loose underfoot. There's plenty of other walks (look up NZ Great Walks) which you could do as an alternative.

Do you have walking poles? They are a game changer for both knee-saving on downhill slopes and feeling safe on narrow paths with drops.

I did it, but again 20 odd years ago and although I had youth on my side, i was hungover and did it in blue velvet boots so its not crazily challenging.

That said, I do have a very clear memory of a narrow path with a sheer drop on the incline at one point but I can almost guarantee that wouldn't be there today as it really was hair-raising.

It is utterly stunning when you get to the top and see the volcanic crater and incredible lake. Highly recommend.

If you like a hike, I'd also strongly recommend Franz Josef although it is a multi-day hike so may not work if you have limited time.

I don't recall it being overly challenging from a physical point of view but I do remember the paths being quite stony and loose in places. I'd say if you are experienced walkers you will be fine. It is so worth it, just stunning.

Thank you to everybody who took the trouble to reply. It has been interesting to read your experiences and other suggestions. Having watched the YouTube video of this walk linked by @sarsaparillatree we have decided maybe not. DH thinks he might be able to manage it but I felt that some of the steep descents on loose stony surfaces might do for my knees! Thanks for the tips on poles @SnakesAndArrows I think I am going to give them a try.

@SanFranBear @SweetChilliGirl @User2123 Yes I think 20 odd years ago I might have been up for it too. Mind you, last weekend we did a walk in the Lake District (Loughrigg Fell) and when browsing the Wainwright afterwards I remembered that 30ish years ago I did Jack's Rake with friends yet I can't imagine attempting that now! Anno Domini.

We have now booked our trip to NZ for March / April next year, very excited! The, extremely helpful, man we spoke to at Trailfinders suggested a stay at Taupo as an alternative to Tongariro if we are not doing the Tongariro walk, so we are doing that.

Anyway we have a fantastic looking itinerary taking in North and South Island so we are very much looking forward to it.