Half day

Ohakune Old Coach Road
Distance: 11km
Time: 5 hours one way
Start Point: Horopito Junction, 14.5km from Ohakune. Transfers available.
Difficulty: Moderate

This historic trail was used by horse drawn coaches in the early 1900s to transport passengers between the two rail heads of the unfinished North Island trunk line. The cobbled route became obsolete with the completion of the railway and was lost to the forest for almost 100 years.
Recently restored, the route ambles along the lower slopes of Mount Ruapehu passing sites of historical interest including the camps of railway workers, the ruins of the Taonui viaduct and both the original and replacement Hapuawhenua Viaducts with their impressive engineering.

The original viaduct took two years to construct and has Category 1 Historic Places status. It was also the location of New Zealand’s first commercial bungy jump, operated by the famous A J Hackett.

The terrain along this route varies greatly from the cobbled tracks under the cool canopy of some of the last remaining virgin forest in the North Island to recently constructed pathways through relatively open bush.

The track is quite steep in places and often becomes very muddy in rainy weather so it is advised that you wear sturdy footwear when walking this trail. Also be aware that this track is popular with mountain bikers and, as the tracks are quite narrow in places, you may need to leave the path to allow them to pass.

Lake Surprise Track
Distance: 9km
Time: 5 hours return
Start Point: 15km from Ohakune on the Ohakune Mountain Road
Difficulty: Moderate

A quiet alternative to the crowded Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Lake Surprise track is indeed surprising, revealing a superb trail crossing the rocky landscape and descending into the Mangaturuturu Valley. Evidence of the 1975 lahar is still visible in this area and is a reminder of the sheer power of the mighty volcano.

Just before the Turoa Ski Field car park, a small track leads away from the road passing several cascading waterfalls, crossing through the Mangaturuturu River and reaching the shores of Lake Surprise after a gentle climb. The lake itself is relatively shallow and surrounded by the forest and tussocks that populate the slopes of the mountain.

 

Old Blyth Track
Distance: 11km
Time: 5 hours return
Start Point: 7km from Ohakune on the Ohakune Mountain Road
Difficulty: Moderate

Constructed in the early 1900s, this track is named after Joe Blyth, the former Ohakune School Headmaster whose passion for the mountain lead him to devote hundreds of hours of his time to volunteering on its slopes.

This historic route, pioneered by Blyth, climbs the mid-slopes passing through red beech forest and crossing alpine bogs along the way. The remains of the original ‘Corduroy’ (horizontal logs placed across the tracks to improve the route) can still be seen. The trail eventually connects with the Waitonga Falls Track and on to the Round the Mountain Track but can be undertaken as a track in itself with great views of the mountain en route.

 

Taranaki Falls Track
Distance: 5.3km
Time: 2hrs round trip
Start Point: 100m below Whakapapa Visitor Centre, Whakapapa Village
Difficulty: Easy

This is a popular track to the beautiful Taranaki Falls, a 20m high cascade over a 15,000 year old lava formation. The trail crosses four gullies via suspension bridges en route and from the falls you can see into the gorges of the Wairere stream.
The walk takes you through red tussock, beech forest, broadleaf, toatoa and five fingers. On a clear day there are fantastic views of Mount Ruapehu and the valleys below.