Marked walks
Without the snow, Mount Ruapehu is a fascinating mix of rock, pumice, scoria, and sand. Explore on foot, with three by our team to help you navigate through the rocky formations. Good walking or hiking shoes are recommended.
Waterfalls Descent
Duration: 1-2 hours (decent). Descend the same path as ancient lava flows and lahars from the top of the Sky Waka Gondola, past stunning waterfalls, rugged volcanic terrain, and incredible views of the Central Plateau.
Skyline Walk
Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours (return). Described as one of the best short walks in the Tongariro National Park, the Skyline Walk takes you from the top of the Sky Waka gondola (2020m) to the Skyline Ridge (2300m), with views out to Mt Ngauruhoe, Lake Taupō, and beyond.
Meads Wall
Duration: 20 minutes (return). The Meads Wall is a short ten-minute walk from the bottom of the Rangatira Chairlift at the Whakapapa ski field. It leads to a Lord of the Rings movie location as well as some spectacular rock climbing.
Safety in summer
Our short walks are open between December and April (weather dependant).
Patience and suitable clothing is recommended on all walks. It is important that you are prepared for the alpine environment at Mt Ruapehu, including packing water and sunscreen. Let someone know where you are headed and we recommend this simple and easy tool to plan your trip.
Keep an eye on the temperature gauge – this should give you an indication on how to dress appropriately for our alpine environment. We advise checking the conditions on mountain and the status of our walks before you set off.