Hiking Routeburn Track is one of the most incredible New Zealand trails I’ve been lucky enough to experience. Being a Great Walk you can expect it to be unbelievably stunning as you make your way through native landscapes. This 32-kilometre trail through the Southern Alps exceeded expectations with its alpine vistas, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls, truly making it a bucket-list hike.
To help you prepare for hiking Routeburn Track, I’ve created this guide. Below you’ll find everything you need to know, covering practical tips, insights and a glimpse into some of the sights you can expect.
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- ROUTEBURN TRAIL LOCATION
- HOW TO GET TO ROUTEBURN TRAILHEAD/S
- PARKING AND TRANSPORT TIPS
- KEY INSIGHTS FOR HIKING ROUTEBURN TRACK
- BEST TIME TO HIKE ROUTEBURN TRACK
- HOW CROWDED IS IT HIKING ROUTEBURN TRACK
- IS IT SAFE TO HIKE THE ROUTEBURN TRACK SOLO
- ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
- CAN YOU CAMP ALONG THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
- EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
- SUMMARY
ROUTEBURN TRAIL LOCATION
The Routeburn Track is located in New Zealand’s South Island, crossing both Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. It connects the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy to The Divide Shelter near Te Anau. As part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, hiking the Routeburn Track offers a glimpse into some incredible, untouched New Zealand scenery.
HOW TO GET TO ROUTEBURN TRAILHEAD/S
Getting to the trailhead depends on your starting point and the direction you plan to hike. The Routeburn Track can be hiked either from The Divide Shelter or the Routeburn Shelter.
- The Divide Shelter: This trailhead is located near Te Anau and is approximately 85 kilometres (53 miles) or a 1.5-hour drive from Te Anau. Or if coming from Queenstown, it’ll take you approximately 3.5 hours to reach The Divide Shelter.
- Routeburn Shelter: Situated near Glenorchy, this trailhead is about 25 kilometres (16 miles) or a 30-minute drive from Glenorchy. It is also roughly 68 kilometres (42 miles) or a 1-hour drive from Queenstown.
PARKING AND TRANSPORT TIPS
As the Routeburn Track is a one-way trail, you’ll need a plan to either be transported or to transport yourself. Below are some options:
- Hiring a van: For our group of seven, hiring a van from Queenstown was the most convenient option. We also organised transport to relocate the van to the other end of the trail, ensuring easy access post-hike. Because seven people split the cost, it became quite affordable. If choosing this option either just for yourself or a smaller group, it can be a bit more costly. However, it does give you the most flexibility out of all the options.
- Bus services: There are multiple dedicated buses that run from Queenstown to the trailheads. This is a great stress free and straightforward option for solo travellers or smaller groups. It’s also the most cost-effective option. One thing to note is that bus services will run on a timetable, so you’ll start on the trail at the same time as others and will need to ensure you’re back on schedule.
KEY INSIGHTS FOR HIKING ROUTEBURN TRACK
Distance: 32 km | 20 miles
Elevation: 1,487 meters
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Difficulty: Difficult
Trail Type: One-way
Open: November to April (though hiking is possible year-round without hut access and with extra precautions)
In all, the Routeburn Track has been one of my favourite hikes to date. However, it wasn’t without it’s challenges and learnings as it was my first New Zealand Great Walk.
Starting from The Divide Shelter meant immediately beginning with an incline, walking into views of Hollyford Valley. The second half of the first day also included several downhill sections–after all, what goes up, must come down. If you’re starting at The Divide Shelter, your first night will likely be at Lake Mackenzie Hut. On the second day, you’ll face a steep uphill hike, but walking along the ridgeline rewards you with incredible scenery of Lake Mackenzie followed by the Darran Mountains. The second night is typically spent at either Routeburn Falls Hut or Routeburn Flats Hut. The latter hut is an extra kilometre, so make sure you keep this in mind when booking. Since our third day was quite relaxed, we stayed at Routeburn Falls Hut but took a few hours to enjoy the sunshine at Routeburn Flats Hut.
While we did encounter a few slips along the way, there were either repairs or ground flattened so you weren’t hiking up and around. Having booked so early in the season we knew there was a chance for landslides and also for the opening to get pushed back a week or two. Thankfully, the weather was on our side and the trail was in great shape and clearly well-maintained.
Overall, it was an incredible hike. There’s even a few surprise paths off the main trail that take you to some incredible lookouts or swimming spots. Altogether, our group tackled 42 kilometres over three days, and it was well worth every step.
BEST TIME TO HIKE ROUTEBURN TRACK
The Routeburn Track is open year-round, but the season runs from November to April, which is mainly influenced by the opening of the huts. During this time, the weather improves, and huts offer full services. Winter hikes, while possible, require mountaineering experience and appropriate gear due to snow and ice hazards.
We personally hiked the trail in mid-November and were fortunate to have the best conditions. The days were crisp and cool, perfect for hiking, though early-season trips like this do come with a risk of delayed trail openings due to bad weather conditions. However, if you want the most predictable conditions, consider hiking during the summer months of January to April when the climate is typically more stable.
HOW CROWDED IS IT HIKING ROUTEBURN TRACK
Hiking Routeburn Track offers a balance. While the huts can be busy, the long stretches of trail often feel quiet. You’ll definitely encounter other hikers at certain viewpoints or resting spots, but it still feels quite expansive.
IS IT SAFE TO HIKE THE ROUTEBURN TRACK SOLO
Yes, the Routeburn Track is safe for those wanting to experience the hike solo. We met several solo adventurers who mentioned that they really enjoyed the experience. As the Routeburn has clear signage, well-maintained paths, and communal huts, the trail is solo friendly while still encouraging a sense of inclusion.
ACCOMMODATION ALONG THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
Accommodation on the Routeburn Track includes huts managed by DOC. These huts feature bunks, communal kitchens, and toilets, but as mentioned earlier, you must book them in advance, especially during the peak season. The DOC rangers maintain the huts well, providing a comfortable place to rest after long hiking days.
The huts along the Routeburn trail are Lake McKenzie Hut, Routeburn Falls Hut and Routeburn Flats Hut.
CAN YOU CAMP ALONG THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
Yes, you can camp at designated DOC campsites along the trail. These campsites provide basic facilities like toilets and water sources. Camping is an excellent alternative for those seeking a more budget-friendly option or a quieter experience.
Camping outside of these designated DOC campsites is a no no.
EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT THE ROUTEBURN TRAIL
There are a few additional things you should know before you hike the Routeburn Trail.
- Permits: You need to book your hut or campsite in advance through the DOC website. These bookings fill up incredibly fast and have often crashed the website on opening. Having multiple people on at the same time may help your chances.
- Weather: As you are hiking in the mountains, make sure to prepare for rapidly changing conditions, even during summer.
- Gear: It’s super important for multi-day hikes to have the correct gear. Even more so in the mountains where the weather can change in an instant. Make sure you include things like waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, a well-fitted backpack and plenty of food. Also, if you’re a photographer like myself check out my guide on essential photography gear for hiking.
- Leave no trace: Remember everything you take in with you, you need to take out. It’s super important to leave no trace to protect our wildlife, and the environment.
SUMMARY
In this post, we’ve explored hiking Routeburn Track, from its location to essential hiking tips. This Great Walk offers a unique blend of challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery, making it an unforgettable experience for hikers.
Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or a group trip, the Routeburn Track provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and explore one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails.
For more incredible New Zealand destinations to discover check out our comprehensive travel guides.