Have the mountains been calling you for some time now? Are you keen to go back to basics, just for a little while? Walking the Routeburn Track is an adventure you’ll never forget. This world-renowned (aka famous) track has ‘Great Walk’ status. Great Walks are well-maintained tracks that pass through some of the most sensational scenery in New Zealand. They pass through mountain ranges and cross rivers. They are in all ways, great. The Routeburn Track is a three day, two-night walk. This 32km track winds through both Mt Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, offering dramatic and ever-changing scenes to those who explore it. Department of Conservation (DOC) huts are positioned along the track for your overnight stays in the wilderness.
Here’s to hiking through the backcountry of New Zealand and creating memories that will turn into stories you’ll be sharing forever.
1. Choose your route
The Routeburn Track can be walked from the Routeburn Shelter to The Divide, or vice versa. Choosing which direction you walk the track is the first step to planning your adventure. The Routeburn Shelter is a half-hours drive from Glenorchy, not far out of Queenstown. Starting here means walking through Mt Aspiring National Park and staying the first night in either Routeburn Flats Hut or Routeburn Falls Hut. End your walk at The Divide on the Milford Road. Choose your preferred huts, choose which direction you’ll walk the track and you’re set!
If you’re spending some time in Milford Sound before or after the Routeburn, check out the Lake Marian Track!
2. Create a schedule
This spectacular track can be walked in one day and two nights, and some have been known to run the entire track in a day. The most popular time frame to walk the Routeburn Track is three days and two nights. That’s around 11km’s of walking per day. Thanks to DOC there are three incredible huts nestled along the track. Choosing which huts to stay in will help in creating a schedule. Consider the time of year. The Great Walks season is October – April and this is the best time of year to walk the Routeburn Track.
There’s plenty to know before you go when attempting New Zealand walking tracks. The DOC website is a great reference for all you need to know.
3. Getting there
Depending on which direction you book the track, you’ll need a way to get yourself to the start, and a pick up on the other side. Bus transfers are a popular option. Transfers leaving from Queenstown are easy and a great way to meet some fellow hikers before you start. Having your car relocated is another great option. Drive yourself to your starting point, and a trusted company can drive it to your finish line while you’re out there enjoying the wilderness. How’s that for convenience! Plus, having your car waiting for you means you can continue exploring the local area once you’ve finished the Routeburn Track.
4. What to pack
Even if you’re walking the Routeburn during the Great Walks season, the weather can still be unpredictable. This means packing for all conditions, including cold snaps and rain. Think a good rain jacket, a waterproof pack cover and maybe even a large poncho. Good hiking boots are a must, even though the track is well-maintained. Consider the overall weight of your pack, as you’ll be carrying every last thing on your back across roughly 32 km’s. Don’t forget, everything that goes into the national parks must come back out. That means all your rubbish must go back in your pack and be carried out with you.
If you’re new to multi-day hikes or love some handy, concise tips, check out the NZ Mountain Safety Council here.
5. What to expect
Spectacular alpine scenery has to be the number one here. The Routeburn Track is one of the very best multi-day walks in New Zealand, so you can expect some truly breathtaking natural landscapes. There’s no phone service along the entire track. This includes at the Routeburn Shelter and The Divide. You can also expect to see rain. The area sees around 200 days of rain per year, making it one of the wettest places in the world. Even if the forecast is clear, chances are you’ll get a drizzle.
Here’s a great video by the NZ Mountain Safety Council of what to expect from the Routeburn Track.
6. Sights you’ll see
The Routeburn Track is an incredible walk and the remote terrain is awe-inspiring. Some of the highlights will be the Routeburn Valley and the Routeburn Falls. As you transition from Mt Aspiring National Park and into Fiordland National Park, you’ll pass Lake Harris and the Harris Saddle (the highest point of the walk). Here you have the option to attempt Conical Hill. Conical Hill is a detour, but if the skies are clear it’s well worth the extra steps for the beautiful views. The track changes again when crossing the Hollyford Face, with the at times narrow track following along an exposed cliff face. Between Lake Mackenzie Hut and The Divide you pass through dense beech forest and Earland Falls. This section also boasts another great detour – Key Summit. You’re likely to see birdlife during walk, including kea, rifleman, robin and kākā.
7. Safety tips
It’s always advised to tell someone where you’re going. Let someone know when and where you’re heading, and when you expect to return to civilisation. If possible, a GPS device or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) would be a fantastic addition to your pack list. Check the weather forecast and pack for all conditions. The Routeburn Track should not be attempted during winter in snow or severe conditions.
To get sorted for your Routeburn adventure check out Plan My Walk app by the NZ Mountain Safety Council.
