What is the elevation and terrain like on the Tongariro Crossing?

The Tongariro Crossing begins at an elevation of 1,120 m and climbs through the Mangatepōpō valley to the saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. It then passes through South Crater, ascends to Red Crater (the highest point at 1,868 m), and descends a steep volcanic rock slope to the Emerald Lakes. The track continues past Blue Lake and sidles around the northern slope of Tongariro before descending on a long zigzag track to the road end at 760 m.