Tongariro National Park (New Zealand)

Founded in 1887, the Tongariro National Park is the oldest of New Zealand's national parks. If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, then you'll be swept away. The Tongariro National Park was one of the sets and in certain parts you'll believe you're in Mordor itself!

The park is home to New Zealand's best known trails, the Tongariro Northern Circuit, which takes 3 days and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, that covers 16.4km. The latter has often been quoted as being the best hike in the world.

And if you give it try, you'll understand why! Between six and eight hours walk will get you to fields of volanic rocks, volcanoes, craters and brightly colored lakes. I love this trek, hence the reason why I've done it twice. From the beginning of Fall, snow begins to cover the volcanoes, leaving a white blanket that makes them even more visually impressive.

However don't expect to be alone on this trail, as every day tourists flock to the area! Even though it's a long walk and climbs about 900 meters, it's still a hike that is relatively easy to do - be warned, though, that in some parts it gets steep. I admit that I was worn out by a section that had been chiseled into steps. And, if you've got the energy, you can climb to the summit of Tongariro, from where you'll get a panoramic view of its volcanic neighbors. If the sky is clear, you'll even be able to see Mount Taranaki's crater in the distance.