Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
More alpine views are enjoyed for the next hour or so, as the track passes through several
avalanche clearings in the forest. Eventually you descend to
Earland Falls
, a thundering
cascade that leaps 174m out of the mountains. On a hot day this is an ideal spot for an ex-
tended break, as the spray will quickly cool you off. If it's raining the falls will be twice as
powerful and you might have to use the flood route, which is signposted along the main
track.
The track steadily descends and after 3km emerges at
Lake Howden
. This is a major
track junction and during the peak season it resembles Piccadilly Circus, with trampers and
guided walkers going every which way. The Routeburn Track is the right fork (west); the
Greenstone Track is the left fork (south). If you're planning to spend an extra night on the
track, you can either stay at Lake Howden Hut (28 bunks) on the shores of the beautiful
lake, or camp near the south end of the lake by following the Greenstone Track for 20
minutes to
Greenstone Saddle
.
The Routeburn Track swings past the flanks of
Key Summit
and in 15 minutes comes to a
junction. If you're not racing to catch a bus, the 30-minute side trip (left fork) to the top is
worth it on a clear day - from the 919m summit you can see the Hollyford, Greenstone and
Eglinton Valleys, and there are some crazy stunted beech trees and sphagnum bogs to mar-
vel at.
From the junction the Routeburn Track descends steadily to the bush, where thick rain-
forest resumes, before reaching the Divide, the lowest east-west crossing in the Southern
Alps. It's 3km (one hour) from Lake Howden to the Divide, where there is a huge shelter
with toilets and a car park. Buses and vans are constantly pulling in here on their way to
either Milford Sound or Te Anau. Welcome back to civilisation.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Greenstone Caples Track
Duration
4 days
Distance
59km (36.7 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate
Start/End
Greenstone car park
Nearest Towns
Glenorchy (
Click here
)
, Te Anau (
Click here
)
