![]() Check individual huts for what cooking facilities and lighting are provided. Eating and cooking utensils – knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel.Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year, for example, map, compass.Survival kit including survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high energy snack food.First aid kit including blister treatment materials.Backpack – 40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking.The risk of avalanche can extend into December. During the Great Walk season, DOC manages avalanche risk and sections of the track maybe closed if there is avalanche hazard. Check the Routeburn Track weather forecast – NIWA website. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall (up to 9000 mm per year) and weather conditions can change quickly in any season. Weather conditions can change quickly in any season. The track is well marked and signposted, but some sections are steep and rough. There are steep drop-offs along sections of the whole track. Track is not recommended for children under the age of 10, due to the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. There is increased risk from snow, ice, avalanche terrain and sub-zero temperatures. Special skills and preparation are required to complete the Routeburn Track in winter. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons/kererū and bellbirds/korimako are commonly seen. A self-guided alpine nature walk passes a range of native vegetation: beech forest, subalpine shrublands and alpine tarns and bogs. 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. At 532 m, The Divide is the lowest crossing of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. From the Key Summit turn-off, the gradual downhill walk is through silver beech forest to The Divide on the Milford Highway. The track continues its descent through beech forest to Lake Howden (Lake Howden Hut was destroyed by storm damage in February 2020).įrom Lake Howden, the well graded track climbs steadily for about 15 minutes to the Key Summit Track turn-off. A gradual descent then leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, to the impressive Earland Falls (174 m). Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut the track crosses a small flat before climbing to the bush line. Due to rock fall danger, observe the no stopping zones along this track.Snow and ice can sometimes make this trip hazardous early and late into the Great Walks season.Campers can't use hut facilities.Ī 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. Routeburn campsites have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Huts do not have food, cooking utensils, showers or bedding.Ĭampsites have basic facilities including toilets, sinks and a water supply. Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. There are three huts and two campsites, which must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season. 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.Įnjoy a day walk: Earland Falls Track | Key Summit Track | Lake Howden Track | Routeburn Nature WalkĮxplore on Google Street View | Watch videos Places to stay Most walkers take 3 days/2 nights usually staying at Routeburn Falls and Lake Mackenzie Huts. ![]() The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction. ![]() 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.
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