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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -39.14314, 175.60225. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 2 hr return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Tongariro National Park
- Seasonal restrictions
- From Labour weekend in October to 30 April, parking at Mangatepopo roadend is restricted to 4 hr maximum.
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Walk to cold water springs that create a small oasis of flowers in summer.
This DOC directory entry covers Soda Springs Walk in Central North Island, within Tongariro National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 2 hr return
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
From Labour weekend in October to 30 April, parking at Mangatepopo roadend is restricted to 4 hr maximum.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track to Soda Springs follows Mangatepopo Stream and is part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We recommend visitors book to use the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track.
Ngauruhoe’s most recent lava flows appear dark in contrast to the older flows which are slowly revegetating. Under the headwall of the Mangatepopo valley, these cold water springs create a small oasis of lush yellow mountain buttercups and white foxgloves in summer.
Getting there
The track starts at the Mangatepopo roadend, 13.4 km from Whakapapa Village on SH 47.
Know before you go
Tongariro Alpine Crossing booking system
We recommend visitors to the Soda Springs Walk book to use the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track.
Read about why a booking is needed and sustainable visitor management for Tongariro.
Mangatepopo car park
Parking at Mangatepopo car park is limited. It is first come, first served and cannot be booked. There is a 4 hour parking limit for visitors to the Mangatepopo Valley.
There is no parking available for track users completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in full.
No drones
Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited.
Drone use on conservation land
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
