Three Short & Easy Walks in Tongariro National Park

While the Tongariro Alpine Crossing often steals the spotlight in Tongariro National Park on the North Island of New Zealand, plenty of shorter, easier walks showcase the park’s natural beauty without the commitment of a full-day hike.

Whether you’re an avid hiker looking for a quick adventure or need a short nature break, these trails are perfect for exploring the park. In this post, I highlight three easy walks: the picturesque Tawhai Falls Walk (also known as Gollum’s Pool in reference to the Lord of the Rings films), the scenic Mounds Walk, and the peaceful Mangawhero Falls Walk. Each trail has its unique charm and offers a brief yet rewarding outing.

Waterfall spilling over craggy rocks into a blue-green pool below.

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Tawhai Falls Walk

Distance: 800m (return)
Time: About 15 – 20 minutes

Also known as Gollum’s Pool from the famous film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, the Tawhai Falls Walk is a short trek that offers a great introduction to the beauty of Tongariro National Park. Located off SH48, just about 2.5 miles from the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, this walk is easily accessible. Parking is available at the trailhead.

The main attraction, Tawhai Falls, is a lovely 13-meter-high waterfall that cascades over an ancient lava flow. It really is a lovely spot. The trail includes some stairs, making it a little bit of a workout, but the effort is well worth it for the nice views and peaceful environment.

A white-haired man in a blue rain jacket walks down a set of wood-framed gravel steps in a forest. There is a wooden railing on the stairs.

At the end of the trail, we scrambled onto the rocks to get a better view of the waterfall. If you choose to do this also, of course, please step carefully.

A short waterfall crashes into a pool that flows out among many rocks. There are wooded areas on both banks of the stream.

Mounds Walk

Distance: 360m
Time: About 20 minutes

Located very close to the Tawhai Falls Walk trailhead off SH48, the Mounds Walk is another easy and rewarding hike. This trail features a series of steps leading to the top of the mounds, which are believed to be debris from ancient volcanic eruptions.

A white-haired man in a blue rain jacket climbs a set of weather beaten stairs among bushy vegetation.

On a clear day, the top of the trail offers spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes and the wide, surrounding landscape of Tongariro National Park. The Mounds Walk is perfect for those looking to enjoy a short hike with impressive panoramic views.

If clouds obscure the volcanoes, you can skip this hike as the view of the mountains is the main point.

View of scrub brush on a wide open plain. In the distance are some mountains hidden behind low clouds.
Not the view we were hoping for. The volcanoes were obscured by clouds. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

Mangawhero Falls Walk

Distance: 300m
Time: 5 – 10 minutes

The Mangawhero Falls Walk is a nice nature break including a stroll to a picturesque waterfall. Like the two other hikes described in this post, this one includes some stairs in addition to the dirt and gravel path.

Gravel path through scrub brush like vegetation on a grey and misty morning.

To reach the trailhead, follow Ohakune Mountain Road for approximately 16km (around 10 miles) where parking is available. This walk is ideal for those who want to experience the beauty of Tongariro National Park without committing to a lengthy hike.

A tall and narrow free falling waterfall pours over a rock edge into a small pool. The weather is grey and hazy.

More easy Tongariro walks that are under 1 hour

Where to stay

We chose to book a night at Rocky Mountain Chalets. The chalets are spacious and well-equipped, with options for two or three bedrooms. The interiors are modern yet cozy, featuring a seating area with a large TV, a full kitchen, and a dining area.

There are two hot tubs and a sauna available on-site for those who need extra relaxation after a day of hiking. The location was convenient to town where we shopped for some groceries for our dinner.

Queen size bed with a grey quilted comforter and several pillows. Two white towels are rolled up on the bed and there is a set of brown wood skis mounted on the wall above the bed's headboard.
Rocky Mountain Chalet bedroom. Photo: Plan, Ready, Go.

Parkview Apartments: This is what I have my eye on for a return trip. Located in National Park, these accommodations are only about a 10- to 15-minute drive to popular short hikes in Tongariro National Park such as the Mounds Walk and Gollum’s Pool.

The Powderhorn Chateau: Like Rock Mountain Chalets, The Powderhorn is located in Ohakune, just about a 15-minute drive from the lovely Mangawhero Falls.

Final thoughts

Tongariro National Park truly has something for everyone, especially if you’re looking for short and easy walks that still deliver beautiful scenery. The Tawhai Falls Walk, Mounds Walk, and Mangawhero Falls Walk each offer their own unique charm and are perfect for a quick adventure.

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