Grade:  Easy - allow 1 - 1 and a half hours

Your transport will drop you off at the Mangatepopo carpark and the first section you cover is fairly flat,  the track is well formed and board walked in damper parts, poles mark the way.  About  15 minutes from the car park the track to Whakapapa branches off to the right.   Five minutes after this junction a side track leads left to the Mangatepopo Hut, and toilet facilities.

The main track continues up the valley following the Mangatepopo stream and around the edge of old lava flows.

You will notice the change in plants as you climb in altitude,
the last toilet stop is at Soda Springs unitl you get to the Ketetahi Hut.

Soda Springs to South Crater >>>