Routeburn Track

One of New Zealand's Great Walks, the Routeburn Track slices through the heart of Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, delivering a sensory overload of alpine meadows, ancient beech forest, and glacier-carved valleys. This 32 km tramp is a masterpiece of contrast: one moment you're brushing past moss-draped trees, the next you're standing on a windswept ridgeline with views that stretch to the Tasman Sea. It's a must-do for hikers craving a multi-day adventure that packs a serious scenic punch without requiring mountaineering skills.

Highlights & What to See

• Key Summit – A side trip from the Divide that rewards with 360° views of the Humboldt Mountains and Lake Marian, plus a boardwalk through alpine bogs.
• Harris Saddle – The track's highest point (1,255 m), offering jaw-dropping panoramas of the Hollyford Valley and Darran Mountains.
• Lake Mackenzie – A jewel-toned tarn ringed by towering peaks; the hut here is one of the most scenic overnight stops on any New Zealand trail.
• Earland Falls – A 174 m cascade that thunders down a sheer rock face, especially dramatic after rain.
• Beech Forest & Alpine Meadows – The track transitions through lush silver beech forest to open tussock and herb fields, home to kea and rock wrens.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most walkers take 2–3 days to complete the Routeburn Track end-to-end (from The Divide to Routeburn Shelter, or vice versa). The classic two-day itinerary involves a night at either Routeburn Falls or Lake Mackenzie Hut, with Day 1 tackling the climb to Harris Saddle and Day 2 descending through beech forest to the start. For a more relaxed pace, add a third day with a side trip to Key Summit or a longer stay at Lake Mackenzie. Day hikers can tackle the Routeburn Nature Walk (1 hour) or the Key Summit track (3 hours return) from The Divide.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Milford Sound – A 2-hour drive from the Routeburn's eastern end; combine with a cruise past Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls.
• Glenorchy – Gateway to the Routeburn's western trailhead, with stunning lake views and the start of the Dart River Track.
• Queenstown – A 1-hour drive from Glenorchy; perfect for post-tramp pizzas, bungee jumping, or a wine tour in Gibbston.
• Te Anau – Base for the Milford Track and glowworm caves; also the departure point for Doubtful Sound.
• Wanaka – A scenic 2-hour drive from the Routeburn's Divide end, offering lakeside walks and the Rob Roy Glacier Track.

Please check official sources for current details.