May to late October (winter season): Walking the track outside the Great Walks season should only be attempted if you have alpine skills, equipment and experience.
Walking options
The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction.
Most walkers take 3 days/2 nights usually staying at Routeburn Falls and Lake Mackenzie Huts.
The trip can be extended by also staying at other huts, or made into a circuit by linking with the Greenstone and Caples Tracks, which starts and finishes near the Routeburn Shelter.
Enjoy a day walk: Earland Falls Track | Key Summit Track | Lake Howden Track | Routeburn Nature Walk
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Places to stay
There are three huts and two campsites, which must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season.
Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. A DOC ranger is in residence. Huts do not have food, cooking utensils, showers or bedding.
Campsites have basic facilities including toilets, sinks and a water supply. Routeburn campsites have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Campers can't use hut facilities.
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 flats, 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 flats, before sidling along the bluffs above Lake Harris to reach the highest point on the track at Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu (1,255 m).
Shortly after the Harris Saddle, the track brings you to Harris Saddle Shelter (day use only). Here you can take a break from the elements and use the toilet facilities provided.
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
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:
- Snow and ice can sometimes make this trip hazardous early and late into the Great Walks season.
- Due to rock fall danger, observe the no stopping zones along this track.
Mackenzie Hut to The Divide
Time: 4 – 5 hr 30 min
Distance: 12 km
Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut the track crosses a small flat 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 (Lake Howden Hut was destroyed by storm damage in February 2020).
From Lake Howden, 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 New Zealand.
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 magnificent 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 prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons/kererū and bellbirds/korimako are commonly seen.
Understand if you are ready for the Routeburn Track
Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video which takes you through how to prepare for this track. Including facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area.