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The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s great tramps and forms one of New Zealand’s Ten Great Walks. Its 32 km length takes you through Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks, from The Divide on the Milford Road to the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy.

Here's why it's my favourite day hike...

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The Views.‍

While the Routeburn Track may be a shorter multi-day hike, it has some of the biggest scenery. It deserves to be on New Zealand’s Top ten list! With soaring mountain peaks, huge valleys, waterfalls and jewel-like lakes the track links Mount Aspiring National Park with Fiordland National Park. The highest point of the track is 1,255 metres above sea level - so the views are simply spectacular.

Weave through meadows, reflective tarns and alpine gardens, and be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys. It is truly spectacular. Before starting this tramp (the name for longer hikes in NZ) you should have established a little fitness and be able to comfortably walk more than 15km in a day. To complete the whole walk, you will be hiking around about 12 km per day over 2-3 days on terrain that climbs up to a little under 1,300 metres. However, you can just do a day walk in and out and still experience the beauty.

‍A Sense Of History.‍

Fiordland is a mystical place full of Maori history. It’s a place where Maori gathered both food and searched out Pounamu, their prized greenstone. Later, they were followed by pioneers searching for gold in the mountains and rivers. It is those old tracks that are still used today as part of the Routeburn Track.
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A Changing Landscape.‍

Nowhere else in the country will you be able to walk along crystal-clear blue streams, gaze up at soaring mountain peaks and glaciers, meander through moss-draped beech forests and encounter gushing waterfalls – all in one day’s hike.

The Routeburn Track offers a mixture of forest tracks and alpine trails. It’s not a difficult track, but can be challenging in some places. The weather on this tramp should never be underestimated, and that’s why most people complete it over the NZ summer, from November through to December. Much of the Routeburn Track follows the valley floor, alongside rivers. These sections are fairly wide and flat with some uneven sections and rocky patches where it crosses dry river beds. Walking next to bubbling streams and rivers, you’re sure to see both wild trout as well as many of New Zealand’s native birds.

‍Shaped over thousands of years.

‍The part of New Zealand that the Routeburn Track winds through has been shaped by successive glaciations into fiords, rocky coasts, towering cliffs, lakes and waterfalls. Birdlife is prolific through forested sections of the track -native tomtits, robins, fantails, wood pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen, as well as the cheeky Kea, the world's only alpine parrot.

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Don’t miss a thing.

‍The best way to discover the Routeburn Track is via a guided walk. Your experienced guide will explain everything you see around you, ensure you don’t miss out on anything and take care of you whilst out on the track. Our local guides are experienced in walking, mountain safety as well as knowledgeable on New Zealand’s flora, fauna and wildlife.

And guess what – rather than spending the night in a public hut after your walk, you’ll get to enjoy a well-deserved massage, followed by a special feast created by your in-house chef. Rest your head on a fluffy pillow in your private eco cabin and reflect on your beautiful day of adventuring.

If you’re keen to finally tick the Routeburn Track off your list, just get in touch!

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- Shaun Shallish (Head Guide)

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