Whilst there have been children as young as 5 and adults as old as 90 completing the Tongariro Crossing, it is a 20-kilometre hike across uneven terrain with some steep gradients.
It is a challenging walk however it is possible for most of us – and an absolutely exhilarating experience with stunning views.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the day version of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.
I’m sure you know about the views already – so what we are here for today is to answer the important questions of How Do I Train and What Do I Pack?
So let’s get into it.
Training for the Tongariro Crossing.
Before you start any training plan, assess your fitness (honestly). And your mindset too.
It is important not to underestimate the amount of energy it takes to walk the Crossing.
If you incorporate some aerobic fitness into your week and don’t have too many aches and pains or any injuries, then the Tongariro Crossing shouldn’t be too much trouble for you to complete.
A 10 weeks training schedule looks like this …
| WEEK | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
| 1 | Walk 10 min slow pace | Walk 10 min medium pace | Walk 10 min medium pace | Rest | Walk 10 min medium pace | Walk 20 min slow pace | |
| 2 | Rest | Walk 15 min slow pace | Walk 15 min slow pace | Walk 15 min slow pace | Walk 15 min slow pace | Walk 25 min slow pace | |
| 3 | Rest | Walk 15 min fast pace | Walk 15 min medium pace | Walk 20 min medium pace | Walk 10 min fast pace | Walk 40 min slow pace | |
| 4 | Rest | Walk 15 min fast pace | Walk 15 min medium pace | Walk 20 min medium pace | Walk 20 min medium pace | Walk 50 min medium pace | |
| 5 | Rest | Walk 15 min fast pace | Walk 15 min medium pace | Walk 20 min fast pace | Walk 15 min medium pace | Walk 60-70 min medium pace | |
| 6 | Walk 5km slow pace | Walk 5 km fast pace | Walk 8 km medium pace | Cross-Training – 30 mins | Rest | Walk 5km slow pace | Walk 10 km medium pace |
| 7 | Walk 5km slow pace | Walk 5 km fast pace | Walk 8 km medium pace | Cross-Training – 40 mins | Rest | Walk 7 km fast pace | Walk 16 km medium pace |
| 8 | Walk 5km slow pace | Walk 7 km fast pace | Walk 8 km medium pace | Cross-Training – 50 mins | Rest | Walk 5 km fast pace | Walk 19 km. Start slow then medium pace |
| 9 | Walk 5km slow pace | Walk 8 km fast pace | Walk 5 km fast pace | Cross-Training – 60 min | Rest | Walk 7 km slow pace | Walk 16 km fast pace |
| 10 | Cross-Training – easy | Walk 5 km medium pace | Walk 10 min medium pace | Cross-Training – 60 mins | Rest | Walk 5 km fast pace | Walk 19 km medium pace |
Packing for the Tongariro Crossing.
Prior to the weekend away, start to prepare the equipment and supplies that you will need.
Gear;
Hiking shoes or boots are recommended (super sturdy trainers are possibly okay) and I am sure that it goes without saying, make sure you wear them in first!
Personally, I prefer hiking shoes. The scree on the hills gets into your footwear and it is so much easier to take shoes on and off plus there is less chance that the small fragments of rock will wear against your ankles.
All-weather clothing. Dress in layers you can strip off and put back on. For an end of summer trip;
On the bottom, I wore thermals tucked into long socks under hiking pants that then zipped off at the knee.
On the top, I wore thermals under a tee with a short sleeve vest and a jacket.
In your pack;
- Roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag with a metal teaspoon.
- There are toilets along the way (Mangatepopo Springs, Soda Springs and Ketetahi Hut but if you get caught short, you can dig a shallow hole.
- Camera with a waterproof case/cover
- you can also use a plastic bag as there is the potential for dust and rain
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- We will be exposed. The day may start cloudy but as they disappear, there are not a lot of areas for shelter. Be smart.
- Small medical kit
- Antiseptic cream, sticking plasters
- Mobile phone
- Just in case of emergency and to keep in touch with the rest of the group. We walk together BUT we also plan for any situation such as getting separated.
- Food and Water
- approximately 1.5 – 2l per person minimum as there is nowhere to fill up on the trail
- high energy foods such as; protein bars, dried fruit and nut mixes (just careful on the amount of dried fruit depending on your stage of post-op life), complex carbohydrates such a seed/wholegrain crackers or grain bread sandwich and a piece of two of fruit
- I made a Tongariro Trail Mix that served us well last time
We did the Tongariro Crossing in 2017 as part of a group and are really really really looking forward to our March 2021 trip.
If you have any questions, let me know!
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