Tongariro crossing bookings encouraged
New system is voluntary for now, but will help DoC manage numbers, maintenance
The 19km track from Mangatepōpō Valley to Ketetahi on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing now has a free, voluntary booking system to register interest over summer as the first stage of a plan to manage visitor numbers and trail maintenance in the National Park.
“Bookings from the season will inform the management of the crossing and visitor information and feedback will help us shape future improvements,” said Catherine Wilson, DoC’s director for heritage and visitors.
Although bookings are highly encouraged, they are not compulsory. Visitors who turn up without a booking will not be penalised.
“By proactively managing the challenges facing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealanders will help protect Tongariro for future generations.”
Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau said gaining a more accurate measure of day visitors would help protect the region, which has dual Unesco World Heritage value for natural and cultural value.
“Our enduring advocacy is that rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and the associated tikanga of manaaki tangata manaaki whenua will be reflected in the physical application in management and operations,” Te Ngaehe Wanikau said of the plan.
Currently this booking system is voluntary, but Wilson said this will be reviewed at the next stage of the management plan.
“While there’s no cap on numbers walking the track this season, we will be exploring that in future years.”
There is no plan to introduce a fee for day walkers.
Wilson said the booking system was pursued over trail-counters as the project was as much about “improving safety outcomes” as it was getting a projection of visitor numbers and intentions.
DoC’s website for the sustainable
visitor management for Tongariro says the project’s goal is to make sure the trail is “sustainable and safe”.
As well as providing information for DoC on visitor volume, registering will allow rangers to convey track conditions and warnings to trampers planning on tackling the route.
Visitors intending to walk the trail this summer, from October 14, are asked to register their plans via the booking page: doc.govt.nz/ tongariroalpinecrossing.
As the country’s most popular long-distance day hike, prior to the
Covid-19 pandemic, around 140,000 trampers a year walked the Tongariro Crossing. The scenic volcanic trail also got a relatively high number of international trampers, compared to similar treks.
But this popularity also meant it was a hotspot for tramping accidents and LandSar call outs.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council identified the Tongariro Alpine Crossing as one of the country’s busiest areas for callouts, with 292 people needing a rescue in the past seven years.
In many cases, poor preparation, clothing and inexperience have played a factor.
Recently, two walkers were rescued from the summit ridge by a Taupō Land Search and Rescue, after attempting the walk in winter conditions. The walkers became trapped on patches of ice, without crampons, ice axes or appropriate footwear, according to MSC.
Visitors with bookings in campsites or huts on the Tongariro Northern Circuit great walk will be exempt from registering.