GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit vs GW - 05 Heaphy Track
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
| GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit | GW - 05 Heaphy Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 44 km | 78 km |
| Elevation gain | 1,304 m | 1,304 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | National | National |
| Country | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Best time to hike | Best from January to March | Best from January to March |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit vs GW - 05 Heaphy Track: which should you hike?
At 78 km, GW - 05 Heaphy Track is the longer route — roughly 34 km more than GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit (44 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, GW - 02 Tongariro Northern Circuit is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.
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