Rangipo Hut
Serviced hutTongariro National Park, Manawatū-WhanganuiOpen
- Sleeps
- 20 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $25
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nz- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BJ34
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.30011° S, 175.62378° E
About this place
This is a serviced 20-bunk hut on the Round the Mountain Track.
On the way here
Round the Mountain Track · 4 - 6 days
Waihohonu Hut to Rangipo Hut
Time: 5 hr
12.5 km The track from Waihohonu Hut to Rangipo Hut is in one of the most unique areas in the park. It is the only true desert landscape in the North Island, and as such, features vast plains of wind sculptured sands and volcanic rock. The Rangipo Desert is dryer than most areas in Tongariro National Park as it is sited in the rain shadow to the east of Mt Ruapehu. The track passes Ohinepango Springs then traverses the eastern side of Ruapehu, past the Tukino Mountain Road, the Whangaehu River, eventually arriving at Rangipo Hut. The hut is perched on the southern edge of the desert with views east to the Kaimanawa mountains.
Side trip: Ohinepango Springs
Time: 1 hr return from new Waihohonu Hut, 5 min return from Round the Mountain Track
Crystal clear cold water bubbles up from beneath the old lava flow and discharges at an enormous rate into the Ohinepango Stream. The springs are signposted on the Round the Mountain Track heading towards Rangipo Hut.
Rangipo Hut to Mangaehuehu Hut
Time: 5 hr 30 min
8.5 km The trip from Rangipo to Mangaehuehu is an undulating traverse. It leaves the desertlands of Rangipo, re-entering the mountain beech forest on the southern flanks of Mt Ruapehu. A feature of this section of track is crossing the awesome Waihianoa Gorge which cuts a path down the mountain into Karioi Forest.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 2 to 4 nights
Whakapapa Village
Walking in
10 hr 30 min (via Waihohonu Hut)
Walking out
10 hr 30 min to Whakapapa Village (via Waihohonu Hut)
Walking in
10 hr 30 min (via Waihohonu Hut)
Walking out
18 hr to Whakapapa Village (via Mangaehuehu Hut, Mangaturuturu Hut, Whakapapaiti Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked. No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Mangaehuehu Hut
Serviced • 18 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 7.9 km
Mangaehuehu Hut is a serviced 18-bunk hut located in the Ruapehu area of the Central North Island.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Blyth Hut
Serviced • 18 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 9.2 km
Blyth Hut is a serviced 18-bunk hut located in the Ruapehu area of the Manawatū-Whanganui region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Lupton Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 9.5 km
Lupton Hut is a privately owned eight-bunk hut located in the Ruapehu area of the Central North Island.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Mangaturuturu Hut
Serviced • 8 bunks • Manawatū-Whanganui • 10.5 km
Mangaturuturu Hut is a serviced 8-bunk hut located in the Ruapehu area of the Central North Island.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Old Waihohonu Hut
Waikato • 10.9 km
Old Waihohonu Hut is a hut located in the Waikato region. The available records provide no further details regarding its facilities or specific location.
Walks nearby
Mangawhero Falls Walk
Easiest • 5-10 min return • 10.69 km away
Waitonga Falls Track
Easy • 1 hr 20 min • 4 km • 10.84 km away
Historic Waihohonu Hut Track
Advanced • 1 hr 40 min one way • 6.3 km • 11.12 km away
Tama Lakes Track
Intermediate • 5-6 hr (to Lower Tama Lake) • 17. 6 km • 11.89 km away
Old Blyth Track
Intermediate • 1 hr 30 mins to Round the Mountain track junction • 5.3 km • 12.31 km away
Contact
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
Whakapapa Village, State Highway 48, Mount Ruapehu 3951
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
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Sources
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.