TAMA LAKES

The hike starts from Whakapapa and ends between the Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe mountains, where you'll find two crater lakes, the largest in the park. The upper lake (1,314 m above sea level) is bordered by black volcanic sand. In winter, both are frozen. The first part of the hike, to Taranaki Falls, is fairly easy and accessible. After that, the going gets tough! The ascent to the lakes is splendid, but sometimes a little steep! The terrain can be slippery at higher elevations, so a good pair of shoes is recommended.