Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduced animals include whitetail and red deer in lower areas and chamois about the
mountaintops. Unfortunately, possums, rats and stoats are widespread. Introduced brown
and rainbow trout are found in the lower Route Burn and brown trout are present in Lake
Howden.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Routeburn Track
Duration
3 days
Distance
32km (20 miles)
Track Standard
Great Walk
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Routeburn Shelter
End
The Divide
Nearest Towns
Queenstown (
Click here
)
, Glenorchy (
Click here
)
, Te Anau (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
This renowned alpine crossing includes a breathtaking day above the bushline as
you cross Harris Saddle.
The Routeburn, one of NZ's best-known tracks, is a tramp over the Southern Alps' Main
Divide, linking Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. Much of it is through thick rain-
forest, where red, mountain and silver beech form the canopy, and ferns, mosses and fungi
cover everything below like wall-to-wall carpet. However, it's the alpine sections that ap-
peal most to trampers. Views from Harris Saddle (1255m) and the top of nearby Conical
Hill take in waves breaking far below in Martins Bay, while from Key Summit there are
panoramic views of the Hollyford Valley and the Eglinton and Greenstone River Valleys.
The tranquillity of forest and meadow and dramatic views of entire valleys and mountain
ranges are ample rewards for the steep hikes and frequent encounters with other trampers.
Indeed, the track's overwhelming popularity resulted in the introduction of one of the first
booking systems in NZ in 1995. Independent walkers need to reserve hut passes before em-
barking on the tramp.
