Tongariro field notes
Desert Road & Rangipō

Waihohonu Hut & Ohinepango Springs

Easy Half day Filming location

An easy walk in across open volcanic country to the park’s oldest hut and a spring that bursts fully formed from under a lava flow.

14 kmreturn
3–4 hr returnwalking time
↑ 189 mclimb
1,130 mhigh point
Waihohonu Hut & Ohinepango Springs Waihohonu Hut & Ohinepango Springs © Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tongariro Waihohonu old © sarang Sarang · Public domain
Mount Ngauruhoe Sunset © Jeffrey Pang · CC BY 2.0

Elevation profile

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What you’ll see

  1. 1
    Rangipo Desert 10
    Desert· 1,100 m Rangipō Desert
  2. 2
    Tongariro Waihohonu old
    Hut· 1,150 m Waihohonu Hut (historic & new)
  3. 3
    Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand (42)
    Springs· 1,130 m Ohinepango Springs
  4. 4
    Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe From Desert Road (51373471350)
    Viewpoint· 1,050 m Desert Road viewpoints
Volcanic gravel plainsBeech forestHistoric hutCrystal springs

The walk

The track crosses gravel plains and low scrub with constant views to Ngāuruhoe, then enters beech forest at the Waihohonu Stream. Visit the modern hut, the 1904 historic hut, and continue twenty minutes to the Ohinepango Springs before returning.

Start. Desert Road (SH1) car park, 12 km south of the Waiouru end

Snow & season

Occasional snow

The Desert Road closes in heavy snow; the track is otherwise usually walkable.

Best season: All year

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Nearby

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