20 travel destinations inspired by Lord of the Rings

Mt. Ngauruhoe – North Island, New Zealand

Fans looking for a bit more excitement after a quaint trip to the Shire can pen a trip to Mt. Ngauruhoe into their schedules. Mt. Nguaruhoe is historically New Zealand’s most active volcano, though it hasn’t erupted since 1975. More importantly for The Lord of the Rings enthusiasts, though, it also acted as a stand in for Mt. Doom, the volcano in Mordor that ultimately destroys the One Ring, during the films.

Unfortunately, fans won’t be able to replicate Sam and Frodo’s arduous journey to the top of Mt. Doom. The summit of Mt. Nguaruhoe is now closed off to visitors, though fans can still stop by Tongariro National Park, where the 7,516-foot peak is located. According to Wikivoyage, “there are close-up vantage points of Ngauruhoe from the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing walk.”

So, while The Lord of the Rings fans can’t directly follow in Sam and Frodo’s footsteps, they might be able to spot where the two hobbits once climbed during their journey to destroy the One Ring. And the hike to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing walk will still serve as an adventure—one that hikers and nature lovers are sure to revel in.

And apart from its prominent role in The Lord of the Rings, Mt. Nguaruhoe has a fascinating history that visitors can read up on while they’re there. The volcano has had 70 eruptive episodes between the years 1839 and 1975, and it also plays a part in Māori legend. According to the Māori people, the volcanic activity began as a blessing when a high priest was caught in a blizzard while climbing the summit.