All our content is based on our own first hand travel experiences, and we take all the photos you see on our sites. 12 Helpful votes. I plan to go the same season, in October. Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor, Last updated: December 9, 2019. It was also explained that Mount Doom is therefore sacred ground and the summit cannot be climbed. Available for your own private use, this trip is available with your own private guide(s). The walk was off to an auspicious start. Big Kia Ora to him for that. Around about here is where you break off if you wish to do the Ngauruhoe (or Mount Doom) climb. The long descent is the main reason the walk is only done in one direction, for whilst you start at an altitude of 1100m, you finish at around 700m, and most folk aren’t too keen on tramping up that extra 400m. In Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Mount Doom was represented by two active volcanoes in New Zealand: Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. Unexpectedly got views of Mount Ngauruhoe en route while traveling in a bus from Wellington to Rotorua and was flabbergasted. Tag: mount doom New Zealand Amazing Tongariro Crossing, NZ’s best day hike. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy. I do have one question I have read on the other sites that you can no longer climb mount nguaruhoe because they have rangers there. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. If you’re travelling in summer, make the central lava rib your primary focus. Iconic snow-capped mountain was used in the Lord of the Rings movies and is better known as Mount Doom. I began to realise why this part of the walk was both optional and not that busy. Thanks for the nice post with beautiful photos. Yes, it’s real name is a Maori word: Ngauruhoe (pronounced, from what I can tell, Nara-ho-ee). Māori knew this wild plateau area in central New Zealand as Te Kahui Tupua, which means the sacred peaks. Next time will try and stay in one of the towns closer to this mountain. Dark ruby coloured earth contrasted against the startlingly blue sky, as steam poured out of the rocks – the smell of sulphur was heavy in the air. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. The descent takes you past the Ketetahi Hut and the Ketetahi Hot Springs – the latter of which are private Maori land and therefore not accessible to walkers – before the final 6.5km down through the alpine forest and to the car park. A guest post by John and Andrea Spirov Visitors to New Zealand may be easily fooled into thinking that the most magnificent scenery lies only in the South Island. If you need an idea of how to do this, take a look at these guides on what to bring to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Winter and the essential must-haves to carry throughout your journey. If you do go and try to climb it and are able to provide me with an update that would be very helpful. A side trip from this hike is the most common ascension route that people opt for. It does get very busy though, so if you can find a gloriously sunny day in the quieter months (around Spring time) you may enjoy it more. Click here to see our current giveaway and enter! And then the walk began. Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above. Is it possible to see the mountain from the Mangatepopo car park? Most folk start the walk between 7am and 9.30am, and as everyone is going the same way along what are often narrow paths, it can be a little congested at times. I hope to climb it in summer. Seems to me that Mt Taranaki is in fact west of Tongariro (maybe slightly south of west, but definitely not south-east.) You might recognize Mount Ngauruhoe as it starred as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. I saw 3 people climbing Mt Doom and it seemed a tough climb only for professionals. In respect of their wishes, DOC rangers removed signs directing visitors to the peak in 2017. This website contains affiliate links to products and services that generate a small income to us if you choose to use them, at no cost to you. Let’s get to that now, and hopefully answer all your questions! Certainly somewhere without trees. This, however, was not to be. Perfectly conical sides lead up to the crater rim, and steam obligingly pours off the top to complete the picture. Lord of the Rings fans will know Mt Ngauruhoe as the epic volcanic force that brought Mt Doom to life. The trail covers various terrains, hikers will trek in between two live volcanoes. Possibly summit one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes. Please scroll to the end to leave a comment, Hi! The way to climb Mount Doom is to do a part of the Tongariro Alpine crossing. 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