Tussock Traverse (Central Plateau) Traditional Cache

The Tussock Traverse offers both keen trail runners and walkers, as well as people new to the excitement of off-road adventures, one of the most scenic and varied courses in New Zealand. The event is proud to support the ongoing work of Project Tongariro (formerly the Tongariro Natural History Society) and the great work they do conserving this spectacular area.

The course cuts across the heart of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park, starting off at the Desert Road on the Eastern side of the Park and taking in the Rangipo Desert and Waihohonu traverse track before finishing at the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa to the West.

The 26km run/walk course begins approximately 6kms up the Tukino Road in the Rangipo Desert (entrance off the Desert Road, SH1) with a long hard climb straight up initially. From there it's a turn to the North to the Waihohonu Hut and then west past Tama Lakes - a mixture of rock hopping, lava fields, desert, alpine track (the views are amazing), and beech forest - before finishing beside the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa for a well-earned rest and BBQ.

This cache is an easy to find micro screw-top container located (about a sign's width from the track) at the start of the Waihohonu Track. From here it's an easy 1.5 hour walk to the Waihohonu Hut where you can cheer on the runners as they head past!

Punga and Paua