The Ring was forged within Sammath Naur, the Chamber of Fire, deep within Mount Doom, the volcanic stronghold of Sauron who projected into its essence his formidable might. Mount Doom, the heart of Mordor is Tongarino National Park’s Mount Ngauruhoe, a lava-covered conic volcano considered sacred by the Maori. In their tradition, Mount Ngauruhoe, whose name translates as “peak of Uruhoe,” pays homage to a slave sacrificed by the high priest of the Arawa canoe, to procure mana (spiritual power) for a sacred fire supposed to arrive from Hawaiki.
On a more mundane tone both Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu could be admired from the famous Alpine Crossing, a 20 km/6-8 hours hike in Tongariro National Park considered the best hike in New Zealand. But the weather that looked great the previous evening conferring great views over the Mount Ruapehu turned cloudy and we barely been able to see only occasionally and only in the morning the top of some surrounding peaks after which the clouds descended covering everything around. The hikers descending from the top came drenched straight from the cloud which veiled them completely in a blanket of drops and advised us not to continue.
So instead of one long hike we settled for two shorter ones. Soda Springs Track, 6 mile-return, the first part of the Alpine Crossing was covered in atmospheric, but not so wet clouds. The trail goes through a valley covered by huge lava boulders rolled there from the last eruption of Mount Doom/Ngauruhoe. No, not the one from the movie though…
Mount Doom/Ngauruhoe is considered a separate mountain but it is actually the second vent of Mount Tongariro. It first erupted 2500 years ago and more recently in 1977.
For the second hike we picked Silica Rapids, a hike to a river covered in silicas that winds down through the valley. The hike starts from the main road and can loop towards the village.
But again with limited time we set for a return hike (3 mile-return) and more exploration on the road that climbs the mountain to the ski resort built on top.
Roaming the world 