On days that the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing is not safe to do due to poor weather conditions, we may offer, when appropriate, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Lakes Hike. This avoids the Red Crater Ridge on the South side of the mountain where you are most vulnerable to poor weather conditions.
You start the hike at the Ketetahi end of the track and make your way up the North face of Mount Tongariro, passing the Blue Lake and getting right up to the bottom of the Red Crater where the Emerald Lakes are situated. From this point, you return back down the mountain the same way you went up. This is a safe hike as there are no steep ridge lines to cross and at any time hikers can turn around if the weather gets too much.
Please be aware that poor weather is forecast so warm and wet weather gear is essential to be carried.
