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Summit Plateau, Tongariro National Park

Trampers walking across the vast Summit Plateau with Cathedral Rocks rising high above the glacier. Photo: Zhi Yuen Yap
Area
Tongariro National Park
Distance
2.58km
Time
5-7hr
Grade
Moderate
Access
From Bruce Rd, signposted from SH47 between Turangi and National Park
Map
BJ34
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Summit Plateau_via Whakapapa_ (gpx, yo 3 KB)
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Climbing to Mt Ruapehu’s Summit Plateau is a great introduction to winter camping and climbing.

From Iwikau Village a service road runs from Top of the Bruce up to the base of Knoll Ridge.

It takes about an hour to walk the stony and uneven road.

An easier option is to take the chairlift to Knoll Ridge.

From here it is reasonably easy to make your way to summit – crampons and ice axes are advised as is checking the snow conditions before departing.