Time: 4 – 5 hr 30 minDistance: 12 kmLeaving Lake Mackenzie Hut the track crosses a small flat before climbing to the bush line. Book online. Bookings are open for trips from 2 November 2020 to 6 December 2020 on the partially open track, and from 7 December 2020 to 30 April 2021 on the fully open track. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Thankfully, in May, the Department of Conservation (DOC) announced the track would be repaired and open … There are steep drop-off along sections of the whole track. The dates available will be from 30 November 2020 to 30 April 2021. Bookings will open in September 2020, for trips from 2 November 2020 to 6 December 2020 on the partially open Routeburn Track. At 532 m, The Divide is the lowest crossing of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Read more about Milford track bookings. Please note this booking will automatically book you for 2 nights stay on the track. This 33km/20mi hike through Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island absolutely delivers as a world class hiking experience. Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2021 - 1 November 2021). A DOC ranger is in residence. The Routeburn track is set to be partially reopened next week after being closed due to damage from storms in February. During winter, transport operators require minimum numbers and do not always operate a daily service. Alpine areas are usually covered in snow. This blog is all about the Routeburn Track day hike and how it can easily be accomplished from Queenstown, Glenorchy, or Milford Sound. 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. Wind through the Routeburn gorge along the, Adult (18+ years): $65 per person, per night, Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required, Child (17 years and under): $32.50 per person, per night, Adult (18+ years): $20 per person, per night, Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required, Child (17 years and under): $10 per person, per night. Day 2 is the highlight of the Routeburn Track giving incredible views of mountains right out to the sea. Routeburn campsites have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Snow and ice conditions on the Hollyford face and at the Harris Saddle can be extremely dangerous. Bookings for the Milford Track will open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 18 August 2020. Queenstown, Glenorchy and Te Anau have a full range of accommodation available. 77 Manapouri-Te Anau RoadTe Anau 9679 New Zealand Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut 7.5 km, 1.5 – 2.5 hours The first segment of the Routeburn Track makes an ideal day walk for those who are short on time. The tracks will open in time for the summer season. This incredibly special place overlaps two National Parks; the Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, and forms part of the Te Wai Pounamu World Heritage area (‘Place of Greenstone’). A massive storm tore through Fiordland in February of this year and caused significant damage to the last section of the Milford Track. Day 3 is a pleasant walk out. Routeburn Track can be accessed from both ends: Routeburn Shelter, 25 km from Glenorchy along a partially unsealed road, and The Divide Shelter, 85 km from Te Anau. Check the Fiordland National Park weather forecast (MetService website). take an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and a snow shovel. Routeburn Track is partially open. This well traveled and well maintained track usually stretches 32km, but as of February 2020 the track is only open to the Mackenzie hut due to track damage, trampers will have to hike back out the same way they came in. Bookings for the tracks will open on August 18 for Milford and August 19 for Routeburn. Running water is turned off inside the huts. Todays weather forecast, by the hour and long term. Bookings: To book a Routeburn Track Loop Transport Package click on the Loop Package link above that you require. Most walkers take 3 days (2 nights) to complete the whole track but longer or shorter options are available. The track then descends and traverses along the exposed Hollyford Face, with expansive views over the Darran Mountains. Spectacular views of U-shaped and hanging valleys dominate the landscape as you pass numerous waterfalls and alpine lakes. The wide, well maintained easy graded track crosses several swing bridges, goes past Bridal Veil Falls and over the Routeburn Gorge before opening up to vast grassy flats. Great Walks season: partially open 2 November 2020 – 6 December 2020 Great Walks season: fully open 7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021 Duration: 2–4 days Distance: 33.1 km (one way) ROUTEBURN TRACK Photo: Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz)Photo: Daniel Deans Photo: Bernard Spragg From May to October, it can be cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours - only attempt if you have alpine, navigation and river crossing skills. Travelling to or away from The Routeburn Shelter, Tracknet are able to arrange transport for you on Info & Track’s bus service. Walking the track at this time should only be attempted you are fit, experienced and well equipped. The Routeburn Return experience is longer and more challenging than the traditional Great Walk, as walkers will now trek about two-thirds of the original track before turning back to head out the same way, staying at either Routeburn Falls or Routeburn Flats each way, Fleming says. Snow and ice can sometimes make this trip hazardous early and late into the Great Walks season. Bookings are required for huts and campsites. Time: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 minDistance: 7.5 kmThe track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). Open in Google Maps. This is one start/finish point. The other start/finish point of the Routeburn Track is the Routeburn Shelter, which is at the Mount Aspiring National Park end of the Routeburn Track near Glenorchy. Adult (18+ years): $15 per person, per night, Adult (18+ years): $5 per person, per night, avalanche equipment: beacon, snow shovel, avalanche probe, mountain radio or satellite messenger (optional). During the Great Walk season, DOC manages avalanche risk and sections of the track maybe closed if there is avalanche hazard. Booking opening dates are notified two weeks in advance of bookings opening. Please contact us if you require transport outside of these months. Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall (up to 9000  mm per year) and weather conditions can change quickly in any season. Take the opportunity to climb Conical Hill for the cream of these views. Air New Zealand is a national partner with DOC for conservation, and is proud to support DOC's Great Walks. Bookings will open on Wednesday 19 August 2020 at 9:30 am, for hiking from 7 December 2020 to 30 April 2021 on the fully open Routeburn Track. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so visit a DOC visitor centre in person. Destination Fiordland and Destination Queenstown have information about transport operators. Reopening the damaged sections of the Routeburn track is contingent on a geotechnical assessment showing visitors can … Enjoy a day walk. From here it is a 20-minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views … From November to April, weave through meadows, reflective tarns and alpine gardens, and be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys. The track continues its descent through beech forest to Lake Howden (Lake Howden Hut was destroyed by storm damage in February 2020). The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction. Our loop packages will automatically assume that you will spend 2 nights on the track and will choose the default departure times. A 9am transfer from Queenstown via Glenorchy to the beginning of the Routeburn Track. Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. The day finishes in the comfortable Routeburn Falls Lodge. Tracknet are able to provide timely transport connections to each end of the Routeburn Track. While the Routeburn Track may be a shorter multi-day hike, it has some of the biggest scenery. Alternatively, please contact us with your requirements. Bookings: Open, but heavily sold out Great Walks Season: 30 November 2020 – 30 April 2021. Te Anau 9679 A swing bridge leads to open grassed flats, and the Routeburn Flats Hut and Campsite. Your accommodation is now ‘reserved’ but is not confirmed until you complete the payment process. res@tracknet.net. The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular tracks with approximately 13,000 walkers completing the track each year. "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those: who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and, who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and. Explore on Google Street View | Watch videos. The risk of avalanche can extend into December. Please note this booking will automatically book you for 2 nights stay on the track and on the last day of your walk will connect to the 12:45pm Milford Sound Cruise. Divide to Queenstown services (10:10am & 3:15pm) have a restroom break and possible bus change in Te Anau. This service connects with the 12:15pm service from Queenstown to Routeburn Shelter. The 9:45am service has a long stop-over and the 2:15pm service has a 15 minute stop-over. It’s arguably one of the most popular Great Walks in New Zealand and offers a fantastic combination of native bush, towering mountains and alpine lakes. The Routeburn Track was an important route for both indigenous Māori and European settlers. In addition to what to take in the Great Walks season, you also need: Take five minutes and learn how to prepare for a multiday tramp and #MakeItHomeNZ. The Routeburn Track must be pre-booked during the Great Walks season. Huts do not have food, cooking utensils, showers or bedding. With this option you stay in Te Anau for a night, before going back to Queenstown. You must discuss an alternative option with transport operators before you begin your walk. There are over 32 avalanche paths, some of which may bring avalanche debris to the valley floor and have the potential to cross the Routeburn Track – their start zones can't be seen from the track. End the day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade. The world famous Routeburn Track will be closed for the "foreseeable future" and Milford Track until at least the end of February following this week's devastating storm. After passing Sugarloaf Stream, you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge. Drive times to Queenstown or Te Anau are: 1 hour 45 minutes from Invercargill; 3 hours 30 minutes from Dunedin and 6 to 8 hours from Christchurch. **Note Key Summit is Open** From The Divide car park, follow the Routeburn Track (one of the Great Walks) for about an hour to the junction where the Key Summit Track branches off from the main track. Due to rock fall danger, observe the no stopping zones along this track. Climbing up to Harris Saddle in springImage: DOC. The drive here is half the thrill - fantastic scenery along the lake to Glenorchy, then 2 river crossings, and finally, the increasingly narrow gravel track to the carpark. Huts and campsites must be booked in advance. Stay at Routeburn Falls Hut that night, get up, see the sunrise, hike back the way I came in and not bother with the other side of the Routeburn Track. Campers can't use hut facilities. This is a top day in the mountains. This section of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. The service from Te Anau to Routeburn Shelter at 7:15am has a 2 hour stop-over in Queenstown. While the track is repaired, you can only do a return walk from Routeburn Shelter and go as far as Lake Mackenzie Hut. Routeburn Track officially reopens The Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s most historic tracks and the alpine pathway between the Fiordland and Whakatipu communities, has officially reopened end to end. It was recently featured in a 2018 National Geographic Adventure travel article. Earland Falls Track | Key Summit Track | Lake Howden Track | Routeburn Nature Walk. From the Key Summit turn-off, the gradual downhill walk is through silver beech forest to The Divide on the Milford Highway. DOC will provide two week's advance notice of the date. Time: 1 – 1 hr 30 min returnThis 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. The cruise is 1 hour and 45 minutes with Cruise Milford, it ends at 2:30pm and connects to our 2:30pm bus Milford to Queenstown. Time: 1 – 1 hr 30 minDistance: 2.3 kmThe track climbs steadily through stunning beech forest, providing views of the Humboldt Mountains. Email: res@tracknet.net, 77 Manapouri-Te Anau Road Tracknet’s service connects with The Divide Shelter on the Milford Road. Bridges between Lake Mackenzie and Harris Saddle may be removed over winter to avoid damage from avalanches, so you must be competent at crossing swift, icy rivers. A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the enchanting Lake Mackenzie. Note: Lake Howden Hut is permanently closed. The Routeburn Track in New Zealand is most commonly hiked over a couple of days, but it is possible to see a great portion of the track on a day hike! Tussock grasslands, herb fields, beech forest and bog plant communities are all passed through while walking on the track. 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