Tracks & walks

In this section:

Plan & prepare
- Walking seasons
  - Winter walking

Winter walking

Trampers at the Harris Saddle,
Routeburn Track

During the Off Peak/Winter Season (May to mid October) the Routeburn Track remains open, weather and track conditions permitting. There are fewer people walking the track and you cannot make a booking for the huts, but must buy hut tickets before you start. The track conditions and hut facilities during winter are different to conditions during summer.

After reading the notes below you must be absolutely confident you have the skills, fitness and equipment necessary to walk the track.

Safety

A winter crossing of the Routeburn Track should only be attempted by experienced, well-equipped parties. The Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park environment can be very inhospitable and unforgiving especially above bush line during the winter and spring seasons.

Some alpine bridges may be removed to avoid damage from avalanches. You must be competent in crossing swift icy rivers.
Snow and ice conditions on the Hollyford Faces and at the Harris Saddle can be extremely dangerous.
Lake Mackenzie when frozen, is not safe to walk on.
Avalanches occur daily during some conditions – you must enquire at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre before starting the track and follow the advice given.
It is strongly recommended that walkers carry a mountain radio and/or personal locator beacon for emergency use.
It is essential to leave details of your trip with someone responsible and check in with them again on your return. Intentions can be left at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre.
You must be totally self-sufficient.
Your safety and the decisions you make whilst on the track are fully your responsibility.

Weather and avalanches

During winter and spring, avalanches are frequent. There are 32 active avalanche paths which cross the Routeburn Track. The starting zones of many avalanches cannot be seen from the track. The risk is higher during or directly after snow and rain and can change quickly over a 24 hour period. It is essential to check avalanche conditions with either the Queenstown Regional Visitor Centre or Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre before you set out. A through trip may not be possible.

If conditions change while you are on the track you will need to make your own decision whether to continue, stay at the hut or turn back.

Always check current weather and avalanche conditions before departing on your trip.

Walking options

The Routeburn Track may be walked from either the Milford Road, starting at the Divide, or the Routeburn Road end, starting at the Routeburn Shelter (see track map).

If a trip across the alpine section of the track is not possible, trampers may consider walking from either end of the track, as far as is safe, and staying overnight, then walking back out to their starting point. Before making this decision, check with the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau or the Queenstown Regional Visitor Centre.

Hut fees and facilities

Earland Falls. Photo: Odette Singleton.
Earland Falls

Fees

Bookings are not required during the Off Peak/Winter Season (May to mid October), but you must have backcountry Hut Tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass, available for purchase at any DOC office or Visitor Centre. Please record your Backcountry Hut Pass number beside your name in the hut book or deposit your hut tickets in the green hut ticket box.

Facilities

Radios, gas, fuel for heating and lighting are removed from the huts during winter. Running water is not provided at the huts. Only a winter pit toilet is provided. There are no staff at the huts.

Compliance

Random compliance checks will be carried out on the track during the winter season by DOC rangers.

Camping

Camping is only permitted at Lake Mackenzie and Routeburn Flats campsites.

Hut use

Trampers are expected to leave the huts clean and tidy and to stand mattresses upright to air. Please do not put food scraps in the sink or toilets. You must carry out all rubbish.

Fire

Remember to replace all wood used and please put all ashes from the fire into the metal ash drums provided. Hot ashes not disposed of properly are a major fire risk to huts.

Water

Water is available from streams or rivers, as hut supplies are turned off during the winter. If you doubt the quality of the water you may wish to treat it or boil it for five minutes.

Toilets

There are pit toilets available at each campsite and hut. Please use these so that water is not polluted. Toilet paper is not provided.

Transport

It is essential to make bookings with operators prior to starting the track. Minimum numbers may apply. We recommend you do this after arriving in Te Anau or Queenstown and have checked weather and track conditions.

Further information

For further information about walking the Routeburn Track during the Off Peak/Winter Season please contact:

Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 249 7924
Address:	Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre Lakefront Drive Te Anau 9600
Email:
Full office details