Stop #4 - Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Our next stop was Tongariro National Park and the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. This hike is by most accounts the most famous hike in New Zealand. It did not disappoint.
A crossroads on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 
The hike is almost 13 miles in length and takes you across a mountain range recent geothermal activity. The hike is a one-way hike across the range so we used a shuttle to get to the start. There are various mountain peaks, craters and hot springs along the trail. Lord of the Rings fans will spot the famous Mount Doom in the photos (Mount Ngauruhoe). Monica was able to complete the hike a few months before with her geology field camp group and was eager to show it to us.