Overview
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's ten Great Walks, a 32-kilometre alpine crossing linking the head of Lake Wakatipu to the Hollyford Valley. It traverses through primeval beech forest, across alpine meadows, and past dramatic mountain vistas.
Highlights
- Key Summit: A short side-trip to Key Summit offers one of the finest panoramas on any Great Walk — sweeping views across three major valleys.
- Harris Saddle: The highest point of the track at 1,255 metres, with views extending to Martins Bay and the Tasman Sea on clear days.
- Conical Hill: A side-trip above Harris Saddle offering 360-degree views of the Darran Mountains and surrounding peaks.
History
The route was known to Maori as a greenstone trading path. European explorers surveyed it in the 1880s, and it was developed as a walking track in the 1960s. It was designated a Great Walk in 1992.
Visitor Tips
- Day Walk: You don't need to do the full 3-day traverse — the first section to Routeburn Flats (2 hours return from the car park) is a beautiful day walk.
- Booking: Hut passes and campsites must be booked in advance through the DOC website during the Great Walk season (October–April).
- Duration: 2–3 days for the full track; 3–4 hours for a day section.