Proudly positioned on Mt Ruapehu’s western slopes, Whakapapa Village is supremely positioned for summer hiking and winter skiing.
The village’s adventure hub is Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, which offers information and advice on all the adventures right on the doorstep.
Whakapapa ski area is a major drawcard in winter. Non-skiers can get in on the action by riding the Sky Waka gondola(opens in new window) to Knoll Ridge, New Zealand’s highest cafe. In summer season take in views out to the Central Plateau atop and start to walk along the tracks at 2020 metres.
The village is a hiker’s paradise all year round, boasting a series of short walks such as Taranaki Falls, Meads Wall and Skyline, all of which pack in plenty of strange volcanic landforms. Longer options include the world renown Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tongariro Northern Circuit.
There are plenty of accommodation options in the village, including ski lodges and a back-to-nature campground, and there’s a choice of dining options, too.
