Milford Sound
Stretching between Mt Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, the Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks, and one of the best alpine crossings in the country. In just 33km, you climb from beech-lined valleys into a world of hanging valleys, tarns and sharp peaks, all within a few hours’ drive of our Queenstown and Te Anau bases.
Whether you’re planning a classic two-to-four day thru-hike, or just wondering how long the Routeburn really takes, here’s what you need to know before you lace up your boots.
How long is the Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is 33km end-to-end, running between the Routeburn Shelter on the Glenorchy side and The Divide on the Milford Road. Most trampers take two to four days. Strong, experienced walkers sometimes knock it off in one long day, but the Great Walk is designed to be savoured. Three days is the sweet spot. That gives you time at Harris Saddle, Conical Hill and the Hollyford views without rushing.
Because it’s a point-to-point track, transport logistics matter. Most of our guests base themselves in Queenstown or Te Anau and use a shuttle service to handle the car shuffle between the two trailheads.
Routeburn Track map and route overview
A good Routeburn track map is essential for planning. DOC publishes a free topographic map showing the four Great Walk huts (Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, Lake Mackenzie and Lake Howden) and the key landmarks. From the Routeburn Shelter end, you climb steadily up the Route Burn valley, past Routeburn Flats and on to Routeburn Falls Hut. Day two crosses Harris Saddle at 1,255m, the alpine high point, and traverses along the Hollyford Face to Lake Mackenzie. The final day drops past Earland Falls and through silver beech forest to The Divide.
Routeburn Track weather: what to expect
Fiordland and Mt Aspiring share some of the wildest weather in the country. Even in mid-summer, conditions can swing from blue-sky alpine to horizontal sleet in a matter of hours, especially around Harris Saddle. Annual rainfall in parts of the track tops 5,000mm.
Always check the MetService mountain forecast and DOC alerts the day before you start. Pack a proper waterproof shell, warm layers (merino or fleece), gloves and a beanie, even in January. The Great Walks season runs late October to late April. Outside those months the track becomes a serious alpine undertaking with avalanche risk and unbridged rivers.
Routeburn Track booking: how to secure a hut
Routeburn track booking opens in early-to-mid May each year through the Department of Conservation (DOC) website, and it’s genuinely competitive. Routeburn Falls and Lake Mackenzie huts can sell out within minutes for peak summer dates. You’ll need a DOC account, your preferred dates, and a bit of flexibility if you’re aiming for Christmas or January.
If the Great Walk huts are booked out, look at the campsites at Routeburn Flats and Lake Mackenzie, shoulder-season dates in late October or April, or a guided walk through one of the concession operators. Outside Great Walks season, huts revert to first-come, first-served Backcountry Hut tickets.
Getting to the trailheads
From Queenstown, the Routeburn Shelter is about 45 minutes past Glenorchy on a well-formed road. The Divide end is roughly 85km from Te Anau along the Milford Road, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Plenty of trampers finish at The Divide and continue to Milford Sound, where you can pair your walkout with one of our Milford Sound cruises for a proper end-of-trip celebration on the water.
What to pack
Alongside the standard Great Walk kit (sleeping bag, cooker, food, first aid), don’t underestimate the sun at altitude. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat are non-negotiable on clear days above the bushline. A lightweight pack cover, spare dry socks, and a good pair of broken-in boots will make the difference between a type-one and type-two fun experience.
Final thoughts on walking the Routeburn
The Routeburn packs more alpine scenery into 33km than just about any other walk in New Zealand. Book early, respect the weather, and take your time on Harris Saddle. You’ll want to. For many of our guests, finishing the Routeburn and cruising Milford the next morning is the perfect Fiordland double-header.
Ready to finish your Routeburn on the water
We’d love to round out your tramp with a day on Milford Sound. Join us on the coach and cruise from Te Anau or Queenstown, and let our skippers show you the fiord from sea level, waterfalls, seals and all. After four days of walking through Fiordland, this is the way to see it from a different angle.
Book a Milford Sound Coach & Cruise
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