Routeburn Track

A Spectacular New Zealand Great Walk!

At 32 kilometres in length the Routeburn Track is quite a bit shorter than the Milford Track - most people would take 3 days and 2 night.



You can walk either way and it can be walked in conjunction with the Greenstone Track or Capels Track, but these are not in as good a condition as the Routeburn Track.

Extending over Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks......... like the Milford Track it is part of Te Wahipounamu – a New Zealand World Heritage Area in the South West of the South Island and under the auspices of the New Zealand Department of Conservation .

The Routeburn track runs between the head of Lake Wakatipu and S.H. 94, the Te Anau – Milford Road. Queenstown, Te Anau and Glenorchy are nearby towns where you can prepare for your tramp, and if necessary hire your equipment.

Routeburn Track Map

The Routeburn Track Route

You walk through Routeburn Station to Mount Aspiring National Park and Routeburn Falls via beech forest and stunning views of Lake Wakatipu, the Dart Valley and the Forbes mountains before you get into the beech forests.Crossing the second swing bridge brings you to flat tussock country and Routeburn Flats Hut.

Some will want to push on to Routeburn Falls Hut another 1 1/2 hours on......another two swing bridges and a climb through the beech forest.

Day 2 - Routeburn Falls to Lake MacKenzie Via Harris Saddle

Lake Harris leads to the Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu (1255 metres) and a shelter,available for day use only. From here you zigzag back downto Lake MacKenzie Hut.

Day 3 - Lake MacKenzie to Milford Road

Across the flats, through "the Orchard" you gradually head down to Howden Hut, at the junction of Routeburn and Greenstone/Caples Tracks. For those wanting to stay here overnight there is a campsite at the Greenstone Saddle 20 minutes down the Greenstone Track. Lake Howden Hut has 28 bunks.

Day 4 - (Optional)Howden Hut to the Divide - a Side Trip you May Like to Do

A 15 minute climb to the Key Summit turn-off, 30-60 minute walk and climbs above the bushline to an alpine wetland and tarn interpretive walk. Stay on the track and boardwalks.......this is a fragile area. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Darran Mountains and the Hollyford Valley.

From the Key Summit turn-off there is a gradual downhill walk to The Divide (532 metres)....... the lowest east/west crossing in the Southern Alps through silver beech forest where you will find A shelter, carpark and toilets.

Have you walked the Routeburn Track or any other interesting New Zealand walking tracks? We would love to read about it! Please CLICK HERE and tell us about YOUR Tramping, Hiking or Walking Story.You can add Photos too.

Routeburn Track Information and Brochures

There are four Department of Conservation huts on the track –

• Routeburn Flats
• Routeburn Falls
• Mackenzie
• Howden Hut

Camping is not permitted except at these two specially assigned campsites near the Routeburn Flats and Lake Mackenzie Huts. There is an open cooking shelter with water and a toilet. Whether staying in a hut or camping you are required to pay fees.

Links for Routeburn Track Brochures

Being fully informed and prepared is very important when you are venturing out into New Zealand's bush, forests and mountains.Please take the time to download and thoroughly read these brochures below. COPY and PASTE the URL into your Browser.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/te-anau-area/routeburn-track/plan-and-prepare/fees-and-bookings/

Here is the Routeburn Track PDF download with all the relevant information for you to peruse.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/routeburn-track-brochure.pdf.

Links for More NEW ZEALAND GREAT WALKS