Throughout New Zealand there are a series of Great Walks that allow hikers (called trampers in New Zealand) to take in some of the most remote and untouched landscapes in New Zealand. These multi-day Great Walks are exceptionally well maintained and have basic backcountry huts for accommodation along the way.
The Routeburn Track stretches 32 kilometres through the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks and along the way passes a huge variety of landscapes. The three to four day Routeburn Track offers up fantastic views and is one of the most popular tracks in New Zealand.
You could argue – in fact – that it’s too popular. Walk the Routeburn Track during the high season and you’ll not realize you’re miles away from civilization as you’ll be sharing the track with hundreds of others seeking New Zealand’s untouched wilderness.
I didn’t get that feeling when I walked a day hike on the track recently. As it’s nearing the end of winter, we met all of maybe four people throughout the entire day. It was great to escape Queenstown’s busy resort town feel and be reminded of one of the many reasons New Zealand is such a fascinating place to visit.
Here are some photos from one of New Zealand’s Great Walks – the Routeburn Track.
A stream near the start of the track.
One of the many swing bridges found along the track – while these weren’t tricky to walk across, you felt slightly odd on your feet after getting back on solid ground.
It was a perfectly clear day with some well needed sun. We started early in the morning and these clouds hadn’t yet burned off.
The track starts through thick Mountain Beech forest before opening up at the Routeburn Flats.
Looking down towards the Routeburn Flats.
After walking along the Routeburn Flats and passing the first hut on the track, you quickly begin to gain elevation. While the track becomes a bit more physically challenging, it’s still not difficult. At about 900 meters you reach a point where a massive slip has totally cleared out the native forest.
The slip occurred in 1987 and had the result of opening up this remarkable view of The Humbolts. It’s a great place to drop your pack, grab your lunch and really allows you to appreciate where you’re at.
Check out this photo album on Flickr which features many photos of this exact view taken from different people hiking the track.
Still from the slip, looking slightly to the left.
Looking back at the Routeburn Flats again.
Here is a bridge which was taken out. My guess is it was a massive boulder which came tumbling down the creek valley after a heavy rainstorm.
River along the track.
If you’re keen to do the whole track (and I’m told it only gets more impressive), it has become so popular that a booking system is in place.
Bookings are required during the high season from October to April and it will cost you $45/night to stay in the huts along the track – quite pricey given your hut accommodation is a bunk in a very large room. In the low season, you’re not required to book in advance yet you’re still required to pay $15/night to sleep in the huts.
If you don’t have three or four full days to commit to walking the whole length of the Routeburn Track, I highly recommend you do single days walk as a day trip from Queesntown. You’ll have to start early as the start of the track is just past Glenorchy, or about an hours drive away from Queenstown. We walked from the Routeburn Shelter to the Routeburn Falls Hut (17.6 kms) in about 7 hours return yet spent a lot of time taking in the views from the slip.
It’s a truly impressive area of New Zealand and the day hike offers an excellent taste of one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks.
Have you done any hiking in New Zealand? Leave your experiences in the comments section below.
Backpacking Matt 
Wonderful photos of the Routeburn Track. Most of the photos you see are your typical “post cards”. But you’ve shown a harsher side to the track here. For instance, I never knew the Routeburn had such narrow footbridges. I always pictured the entire thing to be a 4-lane highway of a track.
@Paul Much of the track is extremely well maintained, yet you don’t loose that feeling of being away from it all. Thanks for the compliment on the photos – it was really bright so difficult to get as many good shots as I would have liked with the camera I have.
I wanted to do the Routeburn, but the fact that it’s not a loop crossed it off the list. There is a way to make it a loop with a 2 day extension, but would require a stove that I didn’t have. Next time!
Glad you had a good time on your day trip. My trav partner and 2 friends did something similar, but on the Fiordlands side. I had to wait it out back @ camp because of some nasty blisters.
Check out the Kepler before you leave. Spent last xmas there. http://www.skinnybackpacker.com/home/2010/1/19/a-very-kepler-xmas.html
@ Dustin – The “2 day extension”, the Greenstone or Caples Track, is well worth it. I did the Caples Greenstone last year as a loop and it is one of the nicest tramps I have ever done.
Yes, you need a stove, but they are cheap and easy to hire, or even buy.
@Paul Next time I’ll do all the great walks. 2.5 months in NZ and I was just scratching the surface!
Great! I love the scenery of the Routeburn track! We did it, but it was rainy, snowy & windy! On one day, I could just make 1 single photo! Crazy day! Other tracks got closed, after we’ve started & I was glad & happy when we finished it! 😉
But I would call the title 3 days on the Routeburn Track. I guess that’s what 95% of the hikers are planning to do it. 🙂
Looks like a really gorgeous hike!
I didn’t do any serious tramping in NZ… only half-day trips. I hiked from Island Bay in Wellington out to the seal colony at Sinclair Head (easy coastal hike), and also did a portion of the Queen Charlotte Track in Marlborough Sound. But both were amazing. I think it’d be hard to find a hike in NZ that wasn’t awesome, though…
I love how hikers are called “trampers” in New Zealand. Sounds and looks like a beautiful hike that is a bit rough around the edges. Reminds me of hiking at home in Colorado.
What a beautiful place to hike! I love that there are swing bridges too.
Extraordinary photos of Routeburn Track. After going through your post, I wish I should visit New Zealand soon. I have one of my close friends there, who keeps inviting me. I guess I should make it soon.
Regards,
Suhasini
http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/
A unique travel blog
@Suhasini Come visit NZ – you’ll love it!
We just did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing two days ago, which is a day hike in the North Island through volcanic terrain and it was absolutely phenomenal. Tramping is a major reason we’re spending over two months here in NZ.
@Andrea I take it you must have had good weather for the Tongariro? Each time I’ve tried (three now), I’ve had rubbish weather! Very glad you enjoyed it – billed the best day hike in the world.
In 2009 I hiked the full Milford Track, and ever since I’ve been burning to go back to try out one of the other Great Walks. This looks like a pretty good option!
@Matthew I’ve yet to do the entire thing, but the hike here almost as good of an option!
Hi Matt! Awesome photos. Did you start on the Routeburn side for your day trip? And, you don’t need passes for day trips eh?
Hi Jeff, we started from the Glenorchy end — no need for passes on a day trip!
We walked the Routeburn Track this January, what I think is considered high season, but still it wasn’t that crowded. The huts were full, but during the day we didn’t meet that many people, probably because we opted for a late start. The distances are all fairly short, so there’s plenty of time to walk and enjoy the amazing scenery!
We made it a loop by having a bus pick us up at The Divide. That bus brought us to Milford Sound too, in absolutely stunning weather. Walking this track was definitely the highlight of our NZ trip.
Here’s a video from our 3 days on the Routeburn, hope you dig: http://vimeo.com/19108327
@Jurrian Sweet video, mate. I think for someone who is relatively fit and/or pressed on time, two days and one night on the Routeburn is plenty of time. Leaving from the GY side – as you did – is a bit more challenging though. Good feedback to know it wasn’t terrible crowded in Jan as that is one of my biggest fears in NZ’s Great Walks … that they feel like a freeway of hikers! Cheers bro!
hey matt,
I’m going to south island next month and i would really like to do this hike. I found a 3 day guided tour but its ridiculously expensive. is it safe to do this hike alone? are there a lot of people on this track around first week of feb?
many thanks!