| Routeburn Track | |
| Duration | 12-16 hours |
|---|---|
| route | 32 km |
| Altitude difference | West side 723 m East Side 797 m |
| difficulty | medium |
| begin | Routeburn Shelter |
| aim | The Divide |
| transport | bus |
| Next city | Glenorchy, Te Anau |
The leads through a spectacular mountain panorama Routeburn Track, which is the north end of the Lake Waikatipu and the connecting road from Te Anau and the Milford Sound connects. The track leads through wooded valleys past waterfalls, but also above the tree line with many valley views. Two to three days are for this largely alpine hiking trail in the southwest of the South Island New Zealand to plan.
background
history
nature
preparation
Best season
| month | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature max. ° C | 22 | 24 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 23 |
| Average temperature ° C | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 14 |
| Temperature min. ° C | -1.5 | -2.5 | -1 | 0 | -1 | -2.5 | -4 |
| Rainydays | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 14 |
in the Fiordland National Park and Mt Aspiring National Park the weather is very changeable and characterized by high precipitation. You have to be prepared for rain, snow and strong wind in every season and equip yourself accordingly. The season runs from November to April, and January and February are usually the best months for hiking. On the other hand, most of the people are out and about at this time. By the Great Walk Pass System However, it is ensured that only a certain number of people are on the track at the same time.
If you want to hike outside the main season, you should equip yourself for an alpine winter tour (including crampons) and find out about the current conditions of the way to inform. Depending on the snow and weather conditions, there may be a risk of avalanches. It is also advisable to enter before the tour Intention form at a DOC Visitor Center to be filled in (don't forget to unsubscribe after the tour!).
Cabins & tent sites
There are four huts on the track (Routeburn Flats Hat, Routeburn Falls hat, Lake Mackenzie hat and Lake Howden Hut), which are equipped with gas stoves in the hiking season. The huts at the Routeburn Falls and on Lake Mackenzie are particularly beautiful and modern. You need one to spend the night in the huts Great Walks Pass, which costs $ 35 per night and is often checked by lodge attendants. For the next season you can go to the DOC website Book seats. You have to run the track on the days you booked for. This prevents too many people from being on the track at the same time.
Outside the hiking season you don't need one for the Routeburn Track Great Walk Pass and will meet few people. The huts are no longer controlled during this time, do not have a gas stove and cost $ 10 per night. You have to buy your tickets for the night in advance DOC Visitor Center to buy.
Camping is only possible on two designated places at the Routeburn Flats and on Mackenzie Lake allowed. Because you are not allowed to use the facilities of the hut, there is a shelter with a cooking area. You pay $ 15 per night per person.
cards
On the Overview map of the Routeburn Track of the DOC, you can get a good overview. But even if the path is well signposted and usually easy to find, you should take a proper map with you when hiking. The best card for that is this Trackmap Routeburn & Greenstone on a scale of 1:75 000, which is in DOC Visitor Centers in Queenstown, Glenorchy and Te Anau gets.
Route as Relation in Openstreetmap. By the way, the Routeburn Track is included in Google Streetview.
getting there
hike
This is a route description from Routeburn Shelter at the north end to The Divide at the southern end. You can of course also walk the route in the opposite direction, but many start from that Glenorchy Page. The Routeburn Track is not a circular route, with a vehicle there are over 320 km of road between the two endpoints. But if you want to walk a circular route, you can go from the Howden hat on the Greenstone Track or that Caples Track walk back towards Glenorchy.
Routeburn Shelter - Routeburn Flats Hut
Route: 6.5 km, Altitude meters: 200 m, Duration: 23 hours
From 1 Routeburn Shelter (490 m) you have to go back a short distance on the street to the parking lot. From there a suspension bridge leads over the Routeburn River, followed by an easy section through beech forest to a bridge over the Sugar Loaf Stream. Now the path climbs slightly up to a bridge over the Bridal Veil Steam and then you cross the Routeburn Gorge until you reach the Routeburn Plain. On another suspension bridge you cross the Routburn River again and follow the river at the edge of the forest, which now meanders through a grassy landscape. Finally at (2 ) a fork in the road. On the right path there are still 5 minutes to the Routeburn Flats Hat (3 ; 20 beds) and the campsite (15 places). To the left it continues in the direction Routeburn Falls hat at 980 m.
Detour at the North Branch Routburn
Duration: 4 - 5 hours with return
If you have 4 to 5 hours left, you can make a side detour along the northern branch of the Routeburn River. Of the Routeburn Flats Hat From here you have to ford the Routburn River and follow the orange markings. The path leads through beech forest and grassy landscape. In good weather you have a good view of the at the end of the valley Mount Somnus, North Col and Mount Nereus.
Routeburn Flats Hut - Routeburn Falls Hut
Route: 2.3 km, Altitude meters: 400 m, Duration: 1 hour
Now the hardest part of the hike begins. Of the Routeburn Flats Hat go back to the fork in the road and continue through dense beech forest, steadily uphill. A few years ago, a scree avalanche created a swath in the forest, from where you have a beautiful view of the valley. However, caution is advised at this point, especially after heavy rainfall, because rockfall is still possible. The bridge over the Emily Creek (4 ) marks about half of the line. Below the Routeburn waterfalls you can find the modern one Routeburn Falls hat (5 ) with 48 beds. Because the hut is right on the border of the boom, it offers a wonderful view. A few meters further there is a private hut that is used by guided tours.
Routeburn Falls Hat - Mackenzie Hat
Route: 11.3 km, Altitude meters: 200 m, Duration: 4 - 6 hours
The following section of the route leads over the 1255 m high 6 ) Harris Saddle (Tarahaka Whakatipu) and is considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the track. From the hut it is a short climb to Routeburn Falls, which is less impressive for its height than for the amount of water. Then you follow the routeburn until just before it flows out of the Lake Harris. The path crosses a fragile ecosystem here, which is in places covered by boardwalks (Board walks) is protected. At the Lake Harris the path becomes steeper and more impassable, but again offers a great view of the surrounding mountains. Past cliffs and boulders you finally reach that Harris Saddle Shelter, which offers a shelter and a toilet, but is not intended for overnight stays. Shortly afterwards, the view of the Hollyford Valley and the surrounding mountains becomes clear. From here a Detour to Conical Hill (7 ) at. After a short, steep descent from the saddle, you reach the branch to Deadman's Track (8 ), which leads to the bottom of the valley within 5 extremely steep hours. We continue slightly downhill along the slope of the Hollyford Valley over the Potters Creek and you are always held up by beautiful vantage points. To the "southwest ridge" of Oceans Peak at (9 ) the path rises again to 1220 m (view of, among other things, Lake Mackenzie). Before you reach the hut you have to climb 300 meters in steep switchbacks to the Lake Mackenzie descend. You are now below the tree line again and it is only a short distance to the Mackenzie hat (10 at an altitude of 900 m; 50 beds) and the campsite with 9 places. Here is a little detour to the Hole in the rock (a split rock) at the end of the lake possible.
Camping is between the Routeburn Level and Lake Mackenzie not allowed. One should be in Lake Mackenzie do not bathe or wash because the lake has no normal drainage.
Detour to Conical Hill
Duration: 1 - 2 hours with return
In good weather, a detour to Conical Hill is worthwhile. From Harris Saddle A steep path leads to the 1515 m high mountain, which offers a fantastic all-round view of the surrounding mountains and the Hollyford Valley to the Tasman Sea. You should expect 1 - 2 hours for the way there and back.
Mackenzie Hat - Howden Hat
Route: 8.3 km, Altitude meters: 150 m, Duration: 3 - 4 hours
-44.79290/168.15716
Of the Mackenzie hat follow the path, which is now largely flat, past a private hut for guided tours. The Roaring Creek as well as the tributaries that are crossed are bridged and avalanches have provided a beautiful view in some places. Finally you climb to the imposing 174 m high Earland Falls (11 to about 1000 altitude. Good to know: According to Openstreetmap (as of August 2016) there is a toilet after about 2/3 of the way from Harris Saddle to Earland Falls (at 12 at an altitude of 1000 m). On a hot day at Earland Falls it is worth taking a longer break, but if it rains heavily you may have to take the flood route to take. Then it goes downhill for another 3 km until you reach the Lake Howden reached. On the one hand you can find the Howden hat (13 at an altitude of around 700 m; 28 beds) and a larger fork in the road. It went south on the Greenstone Track back to Glenorchy, To the west it is just under 4 km to the The Divide.
Howden Hut - The Divide
Route: 3.4 km, Altitude meters: 150 m, Duration: 1 Hour
Of the Howden hat we continue west, on the flank of the Key Summit along. After a short time you reach a path that leads to the 919 m high Key Summit (14 ) leads. If you still have a bit of time and the weather is good, you shouldn't miss the chance. Good to know: Openstreetmap listed above the zigzag path as of 08-2016 at 15 a toilet. The main path continues downhill through thickening rainforest until you reach the destination after 3 km. The Divide (16 ; about 540 m) is the lowest crossing in the southern Alps and there is a shelter with a toilet next to the parking lot.
security
The Routeburn Track is largely an alpine mountain hiking trail on which surefootedness and at least a head for heights are required. Sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots are necessary for a secure hold. Hiking sticks are also very useful.
Winter inspection - official brochure for Routeburn Track winter tramping
