Good news from New Zealand: The popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing hiking track will reopen today following the eruption of Mount Tongariro earlier this month. This is the first step in a plan to see the one-day hike, attracting over 80,000 visitors every year, re-opened in time for the New Zealand summer hiking season.
As a result of recent volcanic activity, the hike now has even more steaming craters, volcanic boulders and hot vents, creating plenty of new activity for hikers to see.
Tracks to Red Crater and Oturere Hut will open this week following a blessing ceremony. Other sections of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing remain closed while a 1.8 mile risk management area is in place. Officials expect this zone to reduce to 1.2 miles in the near future.
Visitors are encouraged to make use of alternative trails around Whakapapa and Mt Ruapehu. The Taranaki Falls, Whakapapanui and Silica Rapids day hikes are all open and unaffected.
