The U2U Urchin to Umukarikari loop offers plenty of ridge travel and incredible views of TongariroNational Park.

Starting at the Umukarikari Track car park, head up into dense native beech to begin this rewarding trek. The well-marked trail is steady but not too steep: over the first 4km it climbs a cruisy 600m. Bellbirds and tūī are common along the path as you progress upwards. 

At the 1300m mark the track punches above the bushline. Just off the track here are a few nice spots for tents. Look back over your shoulder for your first views of Mt Ruapehu. Just another 100m from here is a sheltered spot for a break.

The views over the next 2km to Sharp Cone (1481m) get better with each step on the open and gently undulating alpine tops. On a clear day, off-track travel requires little effort. Tacking on a summit of Tara o te Marama (1434m) to the south is an easy side mission.

Sharp Cone is the high point of this adventure. The panoramic views from the summit sweep from Lake Taupō in the north, deep into the Kaimanawa Range in the east and south and over Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngāuruhoe to the west. 

Shortly after Sharp Cone, take the Urchin to Umukarikari (U2U) track to the south and begin a gentle descent. After about 2.5km the track re-enters the bush and from here it straddles a narrow ridge for 3.5km. The track never drops below 1250m, making walking relatively easy. Though forested, in many places the ridge offers views down to Waipakihi River, whose wide valley and grassy meadows could fool you into thinking you are in the South Island. 

The track exits the trees abruptly then climbs to the second alpine ridge of the day, with long views down the Waipakihi Valley and over to the volcanoes. From here to the Urchin trig is 2km with a gain of 100m.

At the trig, take a moment to enjoy the last of the views before descending Urchin Trig Track into beech forest. The track quickly loses 150m, and after that it’s a steady 450m descent over the next 3km.

From the Urchin Trig Track car park back to the Umukarikari Track car park is 5.5km along a gravel road – an easy car or bike shuttle. To make it a complete circuit, walk the quiet road through native beech back to the start.