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Glenorchy
32 km
21 hours
1189 metres
If you have ever dreamed of walking through a landscape that looks like it belongs on a postcard—or a high-fantasy film set—the Routeburn Track is calling your name. Spanning 32 kilometres of pure, unadulterated South Island magic, this trail is one of New Zealand’s legendary Great Walks. It doesn't just offer a hike; it offers a transition between two of the country’s most spectacular national parks: Mount Aspiring and Fiordland.
Whether you are a seasoned local tramper or a visitor looking for the ultimate New Zealand alpine experience, the Routeburn provides a "greatest hits" of our natural scenery. You’ll find yourself wandering through ancient beech forests, standing beside crystal-clear glacial rivers, and traversing high-altitude saddles with views that stretch all the way to the Tasman Sea. It’s a moderate challenge, but the rewards are, quite simply, world-class.
The Routeburn Track is a point-to-point journey that usually takes three days and two nights to complete in full, though fit hikers can tackle sections as day trips. The total walking time sits around 21 hours, spread across a well-graded but often rocky path that climbs a total of 1,189 metres.
Setting off from the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy, the track wastes no time in immersing you in the wild. You’ll start under a canopy of vibrant red and silver beech forest. The air here is different—cool, damp, and smelling of moss and fern. As you follow the Route Burn (river), you’ll cross swinging bridges that offer dizzying views into deep, turquoise gorges.
The real magic happens as you begin the steady climb toward the Routeburn Falls. The forest thins, and suddenly you emerge into sub-alpine meadows. The climb is constant but manageable, and once you get above the bushline, the world opens up. The terrain becomes a landscape of expansive tussocklands and rugged rock.
The "crux" of the walk for many is the section around Lake Harris and the traverse over the Harris Saddle. This is the highest point of the trail, and standing here feels like standing on the spine of the world. On a clear day, the panorama of the Southern Alps is nothing short of breathtaking. From here, the track winds along an exposed face, offering constant views of the Hollyford Valley before a zig-zagging descent toward the enchanted, fairy-tale setting of Lake Mackenzie. The final leg takes you through lush rainforest and past towering waterfalls before finishing at The Divide on the Milford Road.
Free car parks are available at both the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy) and The Divide (on the Te Anau/Milford Road) trailheads. [2, 3, 41] However, as the Routeburn Track is a one-way trail, arranging transport can be challenging. Many hikers opt for dedicated bus services operating from Queenstown, Glenorchy, and Te Anau to both ends of the track. [2, 3, 10] Car relocation services are also a popular option, where your vehicle is driven from your starting trailhead to your finishing trailhead while you hike. [3, 11] Due to the remote nature of the car parks, leaving vehicles unattended for multiple days is generally not recommended for security reasons, and using shuttle services or car relocation is often advised, especially for rental cars. [11]
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Nestor notabilis
Intelligent alpine parrot endemic to the South Island. Known for curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
Best time: Year-round
Mohoua ochrocephala
Also known as the yellowhead, this small, insect-eating bird is a threatened species unique to the South Island forests.
Best time: Year-round
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Point to point
If you’re bringing a camera (and you absolutely should), these are the spots that will fill up your memory card:
Because the Routeburn Track is a point-to-point trail, logistics require a bit of planning. The two trailheads are the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy, about 1.5 hours from Queenstown) and The Divide (on the road to Milford Sound, about 1.5 hours from Te Anau).
The Routeburn is a haven for native New Zealand birdlife, thanks to extensive predator control efforts in the area. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for:
The Routeburn Track is best tackled during Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
The area you are walking through is part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Area. To the local Māori iwi (tribes), this area was a vital part of the pounamu (greenstone) trails. Long before European settlers "discovered" the pass, Māori were traversing these rugged mountains to transport precious stone from the West Coast to the East.
Geologically, the track is fascinating because it sits right on the boundary of two different types of rock. As you cross the saddle, you move from the harder, older rocks of Mount Aspiring National Park into the glacially-carved landscapes of Fiordland. It’s a literal walk through the geological history of the South Island.
Once you emerge at the finish line, weary-legged and smelling of the bush, you’ll be ready for a "civilised" meal.
The Routeburn Track isn't just a hike; it’s a rite of passage. It’s a chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for millennia. Pack your bags, check the weather, and get ready for the walk of a lifetime.
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Petroica australis
Friendly forest bird that often approaches walkers. Males are dark grey-black; females are paler.
Best time: Year-round
Acanthisitta chloris
As New Zealand's smallest endemic bird, the rifleman is a highly agile insectivore, often seen spiralling up tree trunks in search of food.
Best time: Year-round
Gallirallus australis
Flightless rail known for bold, inquisitive behaviour. Found mainly in the South Island and some offshore islands.
Best time: Year-round