Walk through volcanic fire
One of the world's great day walks, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19 km trek through New Zealand's oldest national park — a UNESCO World Heritage site sacred to the Ngāti Tūwharetoa people. The trail passes Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings), the blood-red rim of an active crater at 1,886 metres, and sacred turquoise lakes high in the alpine.
With Zelus, you follow the actual trail coordinates from Mangatepopo Valley to the Ketetahi car park. Your daily steps move you along the real route on a live map, unlocking six milestone checkpoints at landmarks like Red Crater summit, the Emerald Lakes, and the sacred Blue Lake.
6 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Set out across the lava fields and lush mosses of the Mangatepopo Valley trailhead. The volcanic landscape opens up ahead.
Stand at the saddle and gaze up at Mt. Ngauruhoe's perfect volcanic cone. You might recognise it — it doubled as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings.
Climb to the crimson rim of Red Crater, the highest point on the crossing at 1,886m. Steaming vents hiss from the earth below.
Circle the sacred Blue Lake — Te Wai-whakaata-o-te-Rangihīroa — a brilliant mirror of turquoise set high in the alpine.
Descend past steaming cliffs toward the Ketetahi Hut saddle. The bush line returns and the volcanic terrain gives way to green.
Finish among regenerating bush and thermal streams at the Ketetahi trailhead. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Your first steps today count toward the finish line.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 7 days, but there's no time limit. At around 2–3 km of walking per day (roughly 3,000–4,000 steps), most people finish within 1–2 weeks. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
Can I do this with friends?
Yes. Start the same route with friends and race each other in multiplayer. Shared progress and gentle competition make consistency easier.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Tongariro Alpine Crossing completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.