Routeburn Track (3/4 Full days)

Routeburn Track

 The Routeburn Track traverses 32 kilometres of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and is administered by the Department of Conservation on behalf of the New Zealand public.

Located in the southwest of the South Island the track extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and S.H. 94, the Te Anau – Milford Road. The nearest townships of Queenstown, Te Anau and Glenorchy have a full range of accommodation. Shops in Queenstown and Te Anau can cater for all your tramping needs, including equipment hire.
You can walk the track independently or as part of a guided group. Ultimate Hikes hold the only DOC approved concession for overnight guided walks on the  Routeburn Track during the peak walking season.

 ENTRANCE  FEEES  (A bit expensive!!)

Peak season - booking required.		Off-peak - booking not required.
Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child* (0-17 yrs)	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child* (0-17 yrs)
Hut	$51.10	Free (booking required)	$15.30	Free
Campsite	$15.30	Free (booking required)

Getting there

The Routeburn Track is located in the southwest of the South Island. It extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and S.H. 94, the Te Anau - Milford Road. The nearest townships of Queenstown, Te Anau and Glenorchy have a full range of accommodation. Shops in Queenstown and Te Anau can cater for all your tramping needs, including equipment hire. The Routeburn Track can be accessed by road at either the Routeburn Shelter (the starting or finishing point at the Mount Aspiring National Park end of the track), or at the Divide (the starting or finishing point at the Fiordland National Park end of the track).

Road distances and times:

• Queenstown to Glenorchy - 48km, 40 mins
• Glenorchy to Routeburn Shelter - 25km,
  30 mins (unsealed road)

Track description

The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction (the following description is from east to west). Times are approximate and will vary according to fitness, weather and direction of travel. Overnight use of the Harris Saddle day shelter and other track shelters is not permitted.
The Routeburn Track can be linked with the Greenstone or Caples Tracks. These tracks are rough and uneven in places and delays can be caused due to flooding. There is no guarantee of obtaining a bunk in these huts as there is no booking system for these backcountry tracks. Hut tickets must be purchased in advanced and gas cookers are required. View the Greenstone and Caples Tracks guide for more information.

Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut

Time: 1.5 – 2 hr
Distance: 6.5 km From the car park at the Routeburn shelter (458 metres) cross the swing bridge to the well formed, easy graded track. Take care crossing the Serpentine Slip five minutes from the start of the track, especially after heavy rain. Past Sugarloaf Stream the track is a remnant of the old bridle path built in the 1870s and climbs directly to Bridal Veil Stream. It then sidles above the Routeburn Gorge.

Routeburn Flats Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut

Time: 1 – 1.5 hr
Distance: 2.3 km

Routeburn Falls Hut to Mackenzie Hut

Time: 4.5 – 6 hr
Distance: 11.3 km

Mackenzie Hut to Howden Hut

Time: 3 -– 4 hr
Distance: 8.6 km

Howden Hut to The Divide

Time: 1 – 1.5 hr
Distance: 3.4 km