- Home
- > North Island Walking Tracks
- > Taupo Walking Tracks
- >
- Mt Ruapehu Sky Field
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field
| Location: Tongariro National Park, North Island |
| Nearest Town: National Park |
| Nearest City: Taupo |
| Length of tramp: Take the chair lift |
| Time needed: Stay the whole day if you have the time |
| Difficulty: Sitting in a chair lift is not difficult, but getting on and off can be. Wear a very warm winter jacket. |
| Elevation: 2300m |
| Wet Feet: No |
| Toilets: In the village and at all the ski lifts. |
| Dogs: No. to cold. |
| Mobile phone coverage: Yes |
| Date this tramp was last walked: 2008 |
| Track quality: Snow and more snow |
| Shops/restaurants: Plenty of food at the Chateau Hotel. And burgers at the local pub just down the road down and at the water fall chair lift kiosk. |
| Petrol station: The Petrol station is in National park township |
| Hazards: Cold freezing weather. Steep cliffs and lots of tourist. |
| Transport: Buses every day from Taupo and National park township. |
| Water: Not a problem |
| Driving Instructions: Drive south through the National Park for about 200m. On the left is the highway 47 to Taupo and Whakapapa Village. Drive on for 8.8km to the turn off to Whakapapa Village. Turn right on to highway 48, drive 6.1km to reach the Village. From the village you can drive to the Bruce in your car or take the mountain goat 4x4 bus up to the top. |
| Camping on track: You are free to climb to the top of Mt Ruapehu and dig a snow cave for the night. But let the sky patrol know be for you set off. |
| Track highlights: There is no shortage of snow in the winter time for skiing. Try walking up to the top of Mt Ruapehu and digging a snow cave. Let the ski patrol know before you set off. Plenty of day walks around the base of the mountain in the alpine bush. Most of the walks start around the Chateau. |
Map of Mt Ruapehu Sky Field Walk :
This is a dynamic map. You can zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons, drag the map to see surrounding areas and click on the flags to see each position on the map
Detailed track description for
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field Walk:
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field - Point 1
Click on photos to enlarge
The drive to National Park can be very interesting on a fine day. With a pair of binoculars you can pick out the Ketetahi hut 15540m up the south side of Mt Tongariro. Mt Tongariro is 1909m high. You will also catch a glimpse of the ski fields at Whakapapa, 1700m up the western side of Mt Ruapehu. If the road is too icy the main gate will be closed. They will only let cars with snow chains fitted to their tyres past the gate and 4x4 cars. The other option is to take the 4x4 bus up to the top; this is the best option because you will be dropped off at the cafes front door. On a busy weekend if the car park is almost full, you could have a long uphill walk to your coffee. You can hire boots, jackets ECT at the ski hire centre next to the cafe.
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field - Point 2
Click on photos to enlarge
You can buy a walkers ticket for the chair lift. This will give you a one only ride up the mountain. The ride up to the top can also be very cold even on a fine day so take a warm jacket with you. The wind can whistle around the base of the mountain sending the wind chill factor to below 0. Plus the chair lift has been known to stop half way to the top.
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field - Points 3
Click on photos to enlarge
You can buy hot food and drinks at the waterfall
chair lift cafe. If you are thinking of walking, or sliding back down the
mountain, take a very thick plastic bag with you. So you can sit on the bag and
slide back down the mountain to the car. But be very careful when crossing the
downhill racers lanes. The last photo of Ruapehu sitting above the tarn was
taken on the silica rapids walk.
