Track description

The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction (the following description is from east to west). Times are approximate and will vary according to fitness, weather and direction of travel. Overnight use of the Harris Saddle day shelter and other track shelters is not permitted.

The Routeburn Track can be linked with the Greenstone or Caples Tracks. These tracks are rough and uneven in places and delays can be caused due to flooding. There is no guarantee of obtaining a bunk in these huts as there is no booking system for these backcountry tracks. Hut tickets must be purchased in advanced and gas cookers are required. View the Greenstone and Caples Tracks guide for more information.

Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut

Time: 1.5 – 2 hr
Distance: 6.5 km

From the car park at the Routeburn shelter (458 metres) cross the swing bridge to the well formed, easy graded track. Take care crossing the Serpentine Slip five minutes from the start of the track, especially after heavy rain. Past Sugarloaf Stream the track is a remnant of the old bridle path built in the 1870s and climbs directly to Bridal Veil Stream. It then sidles above the Routeburn Gorge.

A second swing bridge takes you back across the Route Burn to the open grassed flats around Routeburn Flats Hut. Where the track forks take the right track to Routeburn Flats Hut (20 bunks) and a camping area five minutes from the hut, or take the left track to continue to Routeburn Falls Hut.

Side Trip - North Branch of the Route Burn, 4 – 5 hours return. From the Routeburn Flats Hut cross the unbridged Route Burn and follow the North Branch through beech forest and tussock clearings. Good views of Mt. Somnus, North Col and Mt. Nereus can be found at the head of the valley.

Routeburn Flats Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut

Time: 1 – 1.5 hr
Distance: 2.3 km

This is a steady climb through beech forest crossing two swing bridges. A recent slip gives excellent views of the valley below. Care should be taken crossing this slip, especially after heavy rain. The Emily Creek bridge is considered to be the halfway mark. Beware of early or late season avalanches that can fall as far as this bridge. Routeburn Falls Hut has 48 bunks.

Routeburn Falls Hut to Mackenzie Hut

Time: 4.5 – 6 hr
Distance: 11.3 km

This sub-alpine section of track is very exposed and can be extremely hazardous in adverse weather conditions. Ensure that you listen to the advice of Conservation staff in such conditions. The track climbs steadily, following the Route Burn to its outlet from Lake Harris. A steep sidle through moraine and the bluffs above Lake Harris leads to the Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu (1255 metres) and the shelter, which is available for day use only. Allow 1.5 – 2.5 hours for the climb.

Sub-alpine herbs and cushion plants are a feature of the vegetation. These areas are very fragile so please keep to the track. A short, steep climb from the Harris Saddle up Conical Hill gives superb view of the Hollyford Valley through to Lake McKerrow, Martins Bay and the Tasman Sea. Allow one to two hours for the return trip.

From the saddle the track drops steeply down a gully and traverses along the exposed Hollyford face, before a bush descent onto a series of zig-zags to Lake Mackenzie Hut (50 bunks). Allow three to four hours for the descent from the saddle. Nine campsites are sited five minutes from the hut.

No camping is permitted between Routeburn Flats and Lake Mackenzie or around the edge of Lake Mackenzie.

Mackenzie Hut to Howden Hut

Time: 3 -– 4 hr
Distance: 8.6 km

The track crosses a small flat before climbing steeply to the bushline. It then gradually descends past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, to the Earland Falls (174 metres). An emergency bridge is situated down stream should the falls be in flood.

The track continues its gradual descent to Howden Hut, situated at the junction of Routeburn and Greenstone/Caples Tracks. A campsite is situated at the Greenstone Saddle 20 minutes down the Greenstone Track. Lake Howden Hut has 28 bunks.

Howden Hut to The Divide

Time: 1 – 1.5 hr
Distance: 3.4 km

The track climbs for about 15 minutes to the Key Summit turn-off. The 30 minute to one hour side trip climbs above the bushline to an alpine wetland and tarn interpretive walk. Please remain on the track and boardwalks as this is a fragile area. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Darran Mountains and the Hollyford Valley.

From the Key Summit turn-off the gradual downhill walk to The Divide is through silver beech forest. The Divide (532 metres) is the lowest east/west crossing in the Southern Alps. A shelter, carpark and toilets are located at The Divide.

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