The Routeburn Track is sort of as well-known because the Milford Track, however many individuals suppose that it’s the nicer one among each.

The countryside obtained extra adjustments and one thing which is essential is that there are much less sand flies, as most components of the observe are above the tree line. The distances between the huts can be chosen wiser.

Altogether is the Routeburn Track one of many best tracks of the world… if you’re fortunate with the climate. 🙂

The observe could be very fashionable and there’s a restrict for individuals to stroll it. So it’s best to a minimum of ebook it 10-14 days in advance or be fortunate that somebody cancels his reserving.

Bookings: www.doc.govt.nz

You’ll stroll by way of valleys with rain forrest, alongside waterfalls, rivers and lakes. The observe will get you as excessive as 1277 meters. Even up there it may be snowing in the summer season. We skilled it ourselves. A day later it was sunny and heat once more.

Many vacationers begin the observe from the Routeburn Shelter on the jap facet of the Humboldt Mountains. That’s the facet of Queenstown. The observe then ends on the Divide Shelter on the highway to the Milford Sound, west of the Humboldt Mountains. To get from the Divide Shelter to the Routeburn Shelter or the opposite means spherical by automobile, you’ve obtained to take the highway through Queenstown and Te Anau. That’s a distance of 300 kilometres. There are particular bus companies which might take you from one to the opposite level or can drop you off at one of many cities.

Maybe you’ll discover another vacationers (additionally with a automobile), who’re doing the observe on the identical time, however from the opposite facet. Then you possibly can meet on the observe, swap the keys and meet once more in Queenstown or Te Anau to swap vehicles once more. We did that and it labored nice.

One other risk is to stroll the Routeburn in one path and take the Greenstone or Caples Track (each additional south) again once more. For those who begin the Routeburn on the western facet (Divide Shelter) and end it on the Routeburn Shelter, you’ll want a bus switch to get you to the beginning of the Caples and Greenstone Track (additional south). Each tracks begins/finish in the west with the Routeburn Track on the Divide Shelter. You’ll be able to ebook these transfers and others on the DOC workplaces in Queenstown and Gelnorchy or on the Walks Reserving Desk in Te Anau.

These are additionally the locations to ebook the huts on your journey. An evening prices round NZD 35,- per individual. You’ll sleep in dorm rooms (as much as 20-30 beds) on matratzes. So that you’ll solely want your personal sleeping bag. There are gasoline cookers in the huts, so you’ll solely want your personal cans, meals and water.

For those who would favor to camp, there are additionally campsites shut by which prices round NZD 15,- per individual. However then you definately simply get bush bogs and would wish to have all of the gear to outlive in your backpack.

For those who ought to resolve to stroll the whole spherical (Greenstone or Caples Track again), then it’s best to know that you will want all of the gear. There are huts (round NZD 10,- per individual), however no electrical energy, gasoline cookers or related. You’ll additionally want meals and water for round 5 days. That’s various stuff to hold!

Keep in mind that you’re all the time strolling (seems like climbing with all of the stuff in your again) up the hills, down into the valleys and up once more. We’ve had all of the stuff for five days, however determined “solely” to stroll the Routeburn.

It is best to depend Three days for the Routeburn Track:

Positive, some guys/gals do it in 2, however I might advocate Three to take it slowly and to benefit from the nice surroundings!

Day 1 – Divide Shelter – Mackenzie Hut

We’ve began on the Divide Shelter (western facet), handed the Howden Hut (simply on the first hill) and went to the Mackenzie Hut to sleep there. You’ll want about 4 – 6 hours with none breaks. The Mackenzie Hut lies fantastically on the Lake Mackenzie.

Day 2 – Mackenzie Hut – Routeburn Falls Hut

That half is claimed to be the nicest! I can’t inform, as we had been unfortunate and it rained closely all day lengthy and even snowed on the Harris Saddle go (1277m). We had been solely capable of make 1 single picture that day! That day was horrible at the moment, however nice afterwards! On the high of the go, is a small shelter, the place you possibly can relaxation for a break. But it surely’s not heated and if the climate is chilly and wet, strolling retains you hotter. It is best to attempt to get a mattress on the Routeburn Falls Hut because it lies proper subsequent to an enormous waterfall and with an superior view down the valley! One other risk is the Routeburn Flat Hut, a bit additional and proper on the backside, in the valley. You’ll want about 4 – 6 hours from the Mackenzie to the Routeburn Falls Hut & one other hour to the Routeburn Flat Hut.

Day 3 – Routeburn Falls Hut – Routeburn Shelter

That day will take you all the way in which down into the valley. You’ll go the Routeburn Flat Hut and can cross a number of instances rivers with utilizing hanging bridges. For that half it’s best to want about 3 – Four hours. It is best to begin early if you wish to make it for the bus switch. Ensure that to get the fitting instances, however I feel the final bus was about midday or 2 pm on the Routeburn Shelter.

Extra helpful Routeburn Track hyperlinks:

For those who shouldn’t have all of the gear with you… right here is a good journey tip:

The place to hire your tramping gear in Te Anau

PDF File – Routeburn Track Map

PDF File – Routeburn Track Brochure