The Tongariro National Park was absolutely stunning with multiple active volcanoes including Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom featured in The Lord of the Rings). The view of Mt. Doom from our Skotel Alpine Resort was breathtaking. We hiked the 12 mile Tongariro Alpine Crossing on a drizzly day, and it felt like a quest through Mordor to destroy the One Ring. We also stopped at Mead’s Wall (Emyn Muil), Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool), and Mangawhero Falls (Smeagol Catches a Fish), and of course reenacted many scenes from LOTR.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
We had a great time along this hike despite the rain. We broke up the long hike with many silly reenactments: Sam carrying Frodo to Mt. Doom, tossing the One Ring at Mt. Doom, eating lembas bread in Mordor, mimicking the Eagles coming at the Emerald Lakes, and eating maggoty bread atop the Red Crater.
One Does Not Simply Walk into Mordor – One Must Hike!
Sam Carrying Frodo to Mount Doom
Tossing the One Ring at Mount Doom
Lembas Bread in Mordor
Emerald Lakes (Eagles are Coming)
Red Crater (Maggoty Bread)
Lake Rotoaira Views
Mead’s Wall (Emyn Muil, Orc Inspection and Battle of the Last Alliance)
We literally went in circles to find the location at Mead’s Wall (Whakapapa Skifield, Tongariro National Park) where Frodo and Sam get lost in Emyn Muil (location: 39°14’16.1″S 175°33’41.0″E). The views of Mt. Doom (Mt. Ngauruhoe) were breathtaking! We didn’t see a single other person at Mead’s Wall so had the whole area to ourselves to recreate our favorite LOTR scenes.
The filming spot for the orc inspection of Frodo and Sam (location: 39°14’13.0″S 175°33’33.1″E) and the Battle of the Last Alliance (location: 39°13’56.6″S 175°33’07.9″E) were much easier to find.
Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool)
We “lost” My Precious at Gollum’s Pool and someone found it!
Mangawhero Falls (Smeagol Catches a Fish)
We splashed around at Mangawhero Falls trying to catch a fish! There are two distinct filming locations at the top of the falls.
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