TREK · New Zealand
Routeburn Track
Fiordland National Park / Mount Aspiring National Park, South Island, Selandia Baru · New Zealand Multi-day
Photo: source
Information
- Distance
- 33.0 km
- Duration
- 2–4 days
- Max elevation
- 1,255 m
- Country
- New Zealand (NZ)
- Difficulty
- Moderate — a high-standard Great Walk with modern huts, but the alpine weather is unpredictable and the Harris Saddle–Lake Mackenzie section is fairly demanding
- Best Season
- November–April (Great Walks season; hut booking mandatory); May–October passable without booking but alpine snow conditions apply
- Permits & Fees
- DOC hut reservations are required during the Great Walks season (1 November–30 April) through the DOC online booking portal; fees are about NZ$80 per night for NZ residents and NZ$120 for international visitors; three main huts are available (Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, Lake Mackenzie) plus an emergency shelter at Harris Saddle
Description
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's ten designated Great Walks, a 33 km route linking Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy with The Divide on the Milford Road, crossing both Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island. Completable in 2–4 days, the track ascends through ancient mossy beech forest along the Routeburn River before reaching the exposed alpine ridgeline at Harris Saddle (1,255 m) — the high point — with sweeping views toward the Tasman Sea and Hollyford Valley, then descends to the turquoise Lake Mackenzie in its glacially carved basin. Māori people used this mountain corridor from the 15th century onwards to transport pounamu (greenstone/jade), Aotearoa's most prized natural resource. Three DOC-managed Great Walk huts — Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, and Lake Mackenzie — are spaced along the route; advance bookings are mandatory during the Great Walks season (November–April) and typically sell out quickly. Outside season (May–October), the track is accessible without booking but alpine snow and ice conditions apply above the bushline.
Trail Highlights
Harris Saddle (1,255 m) with 360° panoramas of Fiordland and the Tasman Sea, the turquoise Lake Mackenzie in a glacial valley, New Zealand's distinctive mossy beech forest, the historic Māori pounamu (jade) route trail used since the 15th century, and the chance to see the endemic kea (alpine parrot) on the mountain ridges
Trekking Experiences
Real stories & vlogs from people who did the trek. Click to explore.
References
The summary above was compiled from the following sources.