Tukino Road - 4WDing up the side of a volcano! And other amazing spots around Mt Ruapehu!

The Central Plateau is full of amazing spots to explore - from barron volcanic landscapes, amazing rivers, ancient native forests, epic campsites - it has it all!

Join Daniel as he heads through Tukino Road, Waipakihi Road, State Forest 70, Link Road/The Centre of the North Island in the Pureora Forest Park and the Pokaka Mill Campsite, one of our favourites.

Trip area

In this video

Tukino Ski Field

Driving up the side of an active volcano is something pretty special! The Tukino Access road is an amazing drive all year around - hit it up in winter to do some snow driving or head up in summer and see something completely unique

There is a gate that can be locked - called into the I-Site at Waiouru to see if you need a key or not.

Grade
Easy
Time
2 hours
Distance
15 km

Waipakihi Road

Head out to the Waipakihi River on a road that gets rougher and rougher before heading into a open area.

Once you get past the river, things get pretty scratchy.

Graded medium as the river crossing can be tricky.

Grade
Medium
Time
1 hours
Distance
7 km

Waipakihi Campsite Access

A short track down to the campsites at the Waikapihi River

Grade
Easy
Time
1 hours
Distance
1 km

Urchin Campsite

This popular site makes a good base for hunting, tramping, walking and mountain biking with a variety of tracks close by.

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Pillars of Hercules

This deep gorge has a complex history of formation. The river has eroded a narrow channel through ancient lava flows (350,000 years and older) of andesite and ignimbrite rock.

Rangipo Inlet Road

Short little drive into an awesome water cannon for the Rangipo dam. Few little sidetracks to explore on the way too, though they can be a bit scratchy

Grade
Gravel
Time
1 hours
Distance
6 km

Centre of the North Island

Head into the geographic centre of the North Island through the Pureora Forest Park - the short walk at the end is well worth the trip from the end of the track.

Grade
Gravel
Time
2 hours
Distance
20 km

Pokaka Mill Campsite

A basic campsite in the Ruapehu area.

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