It stands at around 8,261 feet (2,518 meters) above sea level, making it the country's second-tallest peak behind Mount Ruapehu — a 9,177-foot-tall (2,797 m) volcano that acted as the movie ...

The great bulk of Ruapehu sheltered this forest from the massive Taupo volcano blast of A.D. 186, while trees for miles in all other directions were flattened. An easy trail winds under soaring ...