Round the Mountain Track

Round the Mountain Track is a multi-day loop tramp that goes around Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. It’s managed around a hut-and-campsite route with up to six overnights: Waihohonu, Rangipo, Mangaehuehu, Blyth, Mangaturuturu, and Whakapapaiti.

Expect a long tramp distance in the ~66–71 km range, usually spread over 4 to 6 days. Terrain varies a lot through the volcanic country—walking stretches on hard ground and desert-like sections, interspersed with rock scrambling in and out of river valleys.

A practical way to plan it is by its hut-to-hut legs: Whakapapa Village to Waihohonu Hut; Waihohonu Hut to Rangipo Hut; Rangipo Hut to Mangaehuehu Hut; Mangaehuehu Hut to Ohakune Mountain Road; Ohakune Mountain Road to Mangaturuturu Hut; Mangaturuturu Hut to Whakapapaiti Hut; and Whakapapaiti Hut back to Whakapapa Village.

Two of the defining terrain features are the Rangipo desert crossing and the Waihianoa Gorge section between Rangipo and Mangaehuehu. The gorge approach and descent back up the far side can be slippery, and this part is commonly treated as a concentrated navigation-and-footwork challenge rather than a long cruising walk.

The track also includes the Cascade section near Mangaturuturu, with an exposed negotiation that involves a steep rockface and narrow ridge travel above the stream (including a scramble down the open rockface as part of the route). Rock-clambering and steep valley traverses show up repeatedly across the loop rather than being confined to one short day.

Planning around hut bookings is central. Waihohonu Hut and its campsite require advance booking during the Great Walks season; outside that period it runs first-come, first-served. The other huts and campsites are first-come, first-served all year, and camping outside designated areas is limited by rules near the Tongariro Northern Circuit and near the Round the Mountain Track.

More information: Conditions, Round the Mountain - Jonty travels…, Round the Mountain Track - Visit Ruapehu