The Routeburn is 32 km of beech forest, alpine lakes, tussock flats, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in New Zealand. It crosses the main divide of the Southern Alps, connecting Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, and it genuinely earns its place on the Great Walks list. This isn’t one to rush.
Most people take three days and two nights, staying at two of the three huts along the way. There’s no loop option, so you’ll need to sort transport at both ends — but that’s pretty straightforward with shuttle services running from Queenstown and Te Anau.
| Distance | 32 km one way |
| Duration | 2–4 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate to Hard |
| Walk Type | Point-to-point |
| Elevation Gain | 1,300 m |
| Highest Point | Harris Saddle, 1,255 m |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
| Bikes | Not allowed |
| Toilets | At all huts and campsites |
| Booking Required | Yes — huts and campsites via DOC |
| Great Walks Season | Late October to late April |
The track runs between two trailheads:
The road distance between the two ends is around 325 km, so most people take shuttles rather than deal with car logistics. Tracknet and Info & Track both run shuttle services from Queenstown and Te Anau to both ends of the track. If you’re driving, vehicle relocation services can move your car from one end to the other while you walk — worth looking into if you’re not keen on shuttles.
Which end to start from? Most walkers start at Routeburn Shelter, since it’s easier to get to from Queenstown. It’s only about an hour from town, compared to 3.5 hours to The Divide. Both directions offer roughly equal scenery and difficulty.
This is the bit that catches people out. Hut and campsite bookings open on the DOC website each year — usually in June for the upcoming season — and they fill up fast, often within days. Don’t leave it late.
During the Great Walks season (late October to late April), you must book in advance. Outside that window, off-season hut passes apply and numbers are limited to 40 per hut. Winter conditions can include snow, ice, and avalanche risk, and the track is not recommended in winter unless you have serious alpine experience.
Three huts along the track, managed by DOC. During the season, a ranger is based at each one. All have bunks, mattresses, gas cookers, heating, flush toilets, solar lighting, and cold running water — treat the water before drinking. No cooking utensils, no showers, no food supplied. Bring your own sleeping bag.
There’s also an emergency shelter at Harris Saddle, the highest point on the track.
Below is the Live Availability for Routeburn Track, use the dropdown list to choose which hut or campsite you’re looking for.
Day 1: Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Falls Hut (9 km, 2.5–4 hours)
The track starts easy, following the Routeburn River through beech forest. You’ll pass Sugarloaf Stream, the Bridal Veil Waterfall, and the Routeburn Flats before the track climbs steadily through forest to the hut. It’s a good warm-up day — nothing too demanding, just good forest walking.
Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut (11.3 km, 5–6 hours)
The big day. The track climbs up through tussock and wetlands to Harris Saddle at 1,255 m — the highest point on the track and the border between the two national parks. On a clear day the views are extraordinary in both directions. From Harris Saddle it’s worth the optional side trip up to Conical Hill (extra 45 minutes return) for panoramic views of the Darran Mountains and out towards the Tasman Sea.
After Harris Saddle the track descends to Lake Mackenzie, a brilliant alpine lake ringed by bush. Allow the full time on this day, especially if you go to Conical Hill.
Day 3: Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide (11.5 km, 4–5 hours)
The track descends through forest past the Earland Falls — a tall, powerful waterfall that practically lands on the track in high flow — then continues down to Lake Howden and on to The Divide. The optional side trip to Key Summit (45 minutes return from the track junction near The Divide) is worth it on a clear day, with views across three river systems.
You don’t have to do the full track to get a taste of the Routeburn.
No hut booking required for day walks — you’re not staying overnight.
The scenery shifts dramatically across the track. On the eastern (Glenorchy) side it’s lush beech forest, the river, waterfalls, and open flats. Once you cross Harris Saddle you’re into something different — rugged alpine terrain, tussock, mountain tarns, and that glacial lake at Mackenzie. On the descent toward The Divide the forest becomes denser and wetter — this side of the mountains is part of Fiordland, which gets up to 9,000 mm of rain per year.
Wildlife to look for: kea (you’ll likely see them near the huts and saddle — don’t feed them or leave gear unattended), kākāpō territory is in the broader Fiordland area, and if you’re lucky you might spot a mohua (yellowhead) in the beech forest.
The Routeburn can be extended into a circuit by linking with the Greenstone Track or the Caples Track, both of which branch off near Lake Howden and end near Glenorchy. This turns it into a 4–5 day loop, though you’ll still need a short shuttle between the Greenstone/Caples trailhead and the Routeburn Shelter.
Nearby tracks we’ve covered:
Track is not recommended for children under 10 given the exposed alpine terrain and unpredictable weather.
If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, guided walks are available:
Good waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer, merino base, sturdy tramping boots, sleeping bag (huts provide mattresses but not bedding), headtorch, first aid kit, high-energy snacks, water bottle, PLB. Leave enough room in your pack for layers — you’ll be wearing and removing them constantly.
