10/6/2021 — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa

Routeburn Track

 Walking

Difculties Medium , Hard

Length 33.3 km

Journey Time 2-4 days

Region Otago

Sub-Region Queenstown-Lakes District

Part of the Collection Department of Conservation Great Walks

Track maintained by Department of Conservation  https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 1/10 10/6/20p21 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa

This is the ultimate alpine adventure, weaving through meadows, reective tarns and alpine gardens. You'll be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys.

Wind through the Routeburn gorge along the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). Follow the cascade of Routeburn Falls. Take in spectacular views of the Hollyford valley and Darren Mountains. Walk right past Earland Falls (174 m).

What to expect

Great Walk tracks are of a higher standard than most other tracks so are well formed and easy to follow. The tracks are usually quite wide depending on the terrain – some t two people walking side by side in at areas.

The surface is usually gravel, rock or dirt, and like any track can get slippery in wet weather.

Most rivers and waterways on these tracks have sturdy bridges. Occasionally there are also small streams that cross the track but are usually easy enough to step across safely. Be aware that in wet weather rivers can rise very quickly and ood the tracks.

There are hill climbs where the track becomes steeper, which is all the better for views.

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2018 - 22 October 2018):

Facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazards to consider.

Walking the track during this time should only be attempted by t, experienced and well- equipped people. For more information see Walking the Routeburn Track outside the Great Walks season (external site) .

Walking options

Walk the full track. Most walkers take 3 days/2 nights usually staying at Lake Mackenzie and Routeburn Falls huts. The trip can be extended by also staying at the other huts and made into a circuit by linking with the Greenstone and Caples Tracks , which starts and nishes near the Routeburn Shelter.

Enjoy a day walk. Earland Falls Track | Key Summit Track Lake Howden Track | Routeburn Nature Walk

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 2/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Places to stay

There are 4 huts and 2 campsites along the Routeburn Track, which must be booked in advance during the Great Walks season.

Be aware that huts and campsites can book out many months is advance. Bookings for the coming summer season usually open in February - exact opening dates will be advised on our website closer to the time.

Camping outside the designated campsites or staying overnight in the shelters, even when huts and campsites are fully booked, is not permitted. The track is patrolled by DOC rangers.

Hut facilities In the Great Walks season these include:

Bunks with mattresses in a communal sleeping layout. Water supply, ushing toilets, wash basins with cold running water (but no showers). Heating with fuel available, and usually solar lighting in the main area. Cooking facilities with fuel, tables and seating (but no cooking utensils). A resident DOC ranger can tell you about the environment and weather, or help out should an emergency arise.

Outside the Great Walks season these are reduced:

Gas is not provided - you will need to bring your own cooking stove. Flush toilets are replaced with pit toilets. Running water is turned off inside the huts. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank, if this is frozen, then from the nearest water course or by melting snow. There are no DOC rangers based at the huts. Beds are on a rst come, rst served basis only

Campsite facilities Great Walk campsites are in scenic locations, and usually near huts. You can't use the hut facilities, but at each campsite you'll nd:

An open cooking shelter. Water supply tap. Clean toilet. A friendly hut warden (from the nearby hut during summer season) who may visit to chat and check campsite tickets.

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 3/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Detailed description

The Routeburn Track has two starting and nishing points and may be walked in either direction. One track end is at the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy and 68 km from Queenstown). The other is at The Divide (on the Milford Road, 85 km from ).

Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut Time: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 min Distance: 7.5 km

The track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). After passing Sugarloaf Stream, you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge. A swing bridge leads to open grassed ats, and the Routeburn Flats Hut and Campsite.

Routeburn Flats Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut Time: 1 – 1 hr 30 min Distance: 2.3 km

The track climbs steadily through stunning beech forest, providing views of the Humboldt Mountains. End the day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade.

Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut Time: 4 hr 30 min – 6 hr Distance: 11.3 km

Climb steadily up the valley, through wetlands and tussock-covered ats, before sidling along the bluffs above Lake Harris to reach the highest point on the track at Harris Saddle/TarahakaWhakatipu (1,255 m).

The track then descends and traverses along the exposed Hollyford Face, with expansive views over the Darran Mountains. This section of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the enchanting Lake Mackenzie.

Side trip: Conical Hill

Time: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr return https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 4/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa A short, steep climb from the Harris Saddle up Conical Hill gives superb views of the Hollyford Valley through to Lake McKerrow and beyond to Martins Bay and the Tasman Sea. Be aware that snow and ice can sometimes make this trip hazardous early and late into the Great Walks season.

Mackenzie Hut to Howden Hut Time: 3 – 4 hr Distance: 8.6 km

Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut the track crosses a small at before climbing to the bush line. A gradual descent then leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, to the impressive Earland Falls (174 m). The track continues its descent through beech forest to Lake Howden Hut.

Lake Howden Hut to The Divide Time: 1 –1 hr 30 min Distance: 3.4 km

The well-graded track climbs steadily for about 15 minutes to the Key Summit Track turn-off. From the Key Summit turn-off, the gradual downhill walk is through silver beech forest to The Divide on the Milford Highway. At 532 m, The Divide is the lowest crossing of the Southern Alps in .

Side trip: Key Summit

Time: 1 – 1 hr 30 min return

This popular walk climbs above the bushline to an alpine wetland and, in good weather, offers magnicent views of the Darran Mountains and the Hollyford Valley. A self-guided alpine nature walk passes a range of native vegetation: beech forest, subalpine shrublands and alpine tarns and bogs. Birdlife is prolic and , robins, New Zealand pigeons/kererū and bellbirds/korimako are commonly seen.

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 5/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa

Conditions:

Track partially closed

The Routeburn Track was damaged from ooding in February 2020, however can be walked as a 4-day 3-night return experience . Find out more about the partial reopening at Routeburn Return .

Be prepared - take the right gear

As with any outdoor experience, the decisions you make and your safety are your responsibility.

Check conditions – check with the DOC Visitor Centre for track conditions and weather before your trip. Take the right gear for all conditions and enough food. All walkers should take a rst aid kit. Get a list of what to take . If walking outside the Great Walks season we recommend you also take a mountain radio and/or personal locator beacon. Also see Walking the Routeburn Track outside the Great Walks season . Your mobile is not useful as there is no coverage for the Milford and Routeburn Tracks and very little on the (limited to high areas).

Tell someone your plans

We recommend you tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. For how to do this, see the Outdoors Intentions process (external site) – AdventureSmart website.

Tracks are sometimes closed for safety reasons

Sometimes the Great Walk tracks need to be closed for safety reasons (eg avalanche danger, ooding or high winds). If walkers are not able to proceed, options are available. These may include a refund (if walk not started yet), changing direction on the track or transfer across hazard areas. DOC staff will keep you informed of all issues and options.

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 6/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Hazards to look out for on Great Walks

Being lost The tracks are very well marked but if you become lost you should stop, nd shelter and stay calm. Put on extra clothing and assist rescuers should you hear them searching for you.

Being injured or ill If you are injured or become ill, use your rst aid kit immediately and contact DOC staff if needed. In case of emergency an evacuation may be possible.

Hypothermia (too cold) During cold, wet and windy conditions, hypothermia (drop in core body temperature) can become a serious problem. From initial stages to unconsciousness can take as little as 30 minutes.

Wear warm and weatherproof gear and eat regularly during your walk. These symptoms may indicate initial stages of hypothermia: shivering, clumsy, confused, have slurred speech, may deny they have a problem. To treat: immediately make or nd shelter, get the person into dry, warm clothing, put into sleeping bag, give warm, sweet drinks, monitor and seek immediate medical help.

Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion is usually caused by warm temperatures and not drinking enough water.

Carry and drink water regularly throughout your walk. A person in the early stages of heat exhaustion may show weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and sweating. To help, give them water and nd a cool place to rest.

Fires Take care to put ashes from hut re places in the metal drums to avoid huts burning down. At campsites only use the designated areas. No open res are permitted in National Park.

Flooding During and after heavy rain, ooding of tracks is common on all Great Walks. Stream and river levels will drop rapidly once rain stops. If you are caught between ooded streams seek higher ground and wait for water levels to drop.

Risk areas may include:

Kepler Track – Iris Burn Valley.

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 7/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa – between Hirere and Bus Stop in the Clinton Valley; and between Boat Shed and Poseidon Creek in the Arthur Valley. Routeburn Track – Routeburn Valley.

Strong winds Whenever you are walking in alpine areas or exposed areas on any of the tracks, such as over passes, saddles and along mountain ridges, you could be caught in strong and/or gusty winds (eg over 80km/hour winds). Take care to dress warmly as wind-chill danger is worse at these times.

Avalanches Snow avalanches are common on all tracks, especially between late August and early November. Danger is higher during or directly after snow and rain. Avalanche and snow hazard can change rapidly from low to high within a 24 hour period.

Follow all advice given by staff. Start zones of avalanche paths often cannot be seen from the track. In danger areas, do not walk below other walkers.

Risk areas may include:

Kepler Track – 9 avalanche paths cross the track between Luxmore Hut and Hanging Valley shelter. Milford Track – over 57 avalanche paths cross the track between 6 Mile in the Clinton Valley and Quintin Hut in the Arthur Valley. Routeburn Track – over 32 avalanche paths cross the track between Routeburn Falls hut and the Earland Falls.

Slips Routeburn Track – the area halfway between Routeburn Flats and Routeburn Falls Huts is prone to slips after heavy rain. Care is required when traversing this area. If in doubt, do not proceed.

Walking the Routeburn Track outside the Great Walks season

Outside the Great Walks season (early May to late October) facilities are greatly reduced (no gas for cooking, limited water supply, no rangers or emergency radio facilities) and there are additional safety hazards to consider:

The winter environment in Fiordland is very cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours. Avalanche-prone bridges across some major watercourses are removed. https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 8/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa DOC does not manage hazards such as ooding or avalanche.

Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by t, experienced and well- equipped people. For more information see Walking the Routeburn Track outside the Great Walks season .

Follow the Outdoor safety code - Mountain Safety Council (external site) l

How to get here

One track end is at the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy and 68 km from Queenstown). The other is at The Divide Shelter (on the Milford Road, 85 km from Te Anau).

Transport operators

Glenorchy Journeys (external site) Go Orange (external site) TrackNet (external site)

It's also possible to make a circuit by combining the Routeburn Track with either the Greenstone and Caples tracks .

https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/routeburn-track/pdfPreview 9/10 10/6/2021 Routeburn Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Track Elevation and Map

Page last updated: Sep 8, 2020, 3:42 PM

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