Routeburn Track Trail

A classic 3-day, 33-kilometre Great Walk through alpine and forest scenery in New Zealand.

Time to Hike: 3 days, 33 kilometres is the standard itinerary, typically split over 2 nights in DOC huts or campsites. Hikers can compress to 2 long days or extend to 4 if aiming for shorter daily distances.

Best Time to Go: Main season runs from October to April when huts are staffed and the track is at its most accessible. Summer months are busiest and offer the most reliable alpine conditions.

Getting there: Trailheads are at Glenorchy/Routeburn Shelter on the Queenstown side and The Divide on the Milford Road. Regular shuttle services and private transfers operate from Queenstown and Te Anau.

Costs: Expect modest costs for DOC Great Walk hut bunks or campsite fees, plus one-way shuttle transfers if not returning to your car. Huts and campsites must be booked in advance through the Department of Conservation.

Difficulty: Moderate fitness level required - well-formed track with some steep climbs, steps and exposed alpine sections. Rapid weather changes, heavy rain and cold at higher elevations are the main hazards.

Routeburn Track threads between Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, descending from alpine ridgelines into beech forest and valley bottoms. The route features iconic viewpoints, waterfalls and a high-country lake, with notable highlights including Lake Mackenzie and the Routeburn Falls area.

Accommodation is provided by Department of Conservation Great Walk huts and adjacent campsites; both are purpose built and must be reserved in season. The track is notable for delivering high-mountain panoramas and accessible alpine walking within a short distance, making dramatic scenery achievable without extended backcountry travel.

The nearest major airport is Queenstown, which is commonly used as the base for the Routeburn. Some walkers also use Te Anau as a staging point for the Milford Road end at The Divide.

Regular private shuttle operators connect Queenstown and Te Anau to the two trailheads; many parties organise one-way transfers so they do not retrace their steps. Both directions are popular, so check shuttle schedules when booking huts.

The track is most reliably walked between October and April, when huts are staffed and bookings are required through the Department of Conservation. Book well in advance for summer dates, as capacity fills quickly.

Outside that window expect winter conditions - snow on the saddle, short daylight hours and far more challenging travel. Heavy rain can cause muddy sections and influence river and stream conditions, so carry full wet-weather and cold-weather gear year round.