Tongariro field notes
Upper Ruapehu & Whakapapa Ski Area

Ruapehu Crater Lake (guided climb)

Expert Full day

An unmarked alpine climb to the rim of an active volcano’s steaming crater lake. Guided trips run in summer.

0 mdistance
4–7 hr return from the top liftswalking time
Ruapehu Crater Lake (guided climb) Ruapehu Crater Lake (guided climb) © Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0
Crater Lake winter pano2 © WolfmanSF · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ruapehu's Winter Coat... (52237129206) © Geoff McKay · CC BY 2.0

What you’ll see

  1. 1
    Crater Lake, Ruapehu, New Zealand 13
    Crater· 2,530 m Ruapehu Crater Lake
  2. 2
    Ruapehu's Winter Coat... (52237129206)
    Summit· 2,797 m Ruapehu Summit Plateau
  3. 3
    Sky Waka Gondola -IMG 2358- (54061145859)
    Viewpoint· 2,020 m Sky Waka & Knoll Ridge
Glaciers & permanent snowSummit plateauActive crater lake

The walk

There is no marked track to the crater. In summer guided groups climb from the top of the lifts over scree, snowfields and the Summit Plateau to the crater rim at about 2,530 m; in winter it is a mountaineering route needing crampons, ice axe and avalanche awareness. Check GeoNet’s volcanic alert level before any trip and keep out of the hazard zone when it is raised.

Start. Top of the Whakapapa lifts (summer) or Iwikau Village

Snow & season

Snow & ice route

Snow and ice almost all year. The only reliable summer snow in the North Island.

Best season: Guided: roughly January to April. Otherwise mountaineers only

  • Active volcano
  • Crevasses and ice
  • Rapid weather change
Live forecast →
Nearby

Combine with