The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track, New Zealand

How Long Does It Take to Hike the Routeburn Track?

The Routeburn Track is 33 km long, and it can take from 2 - 4 days to complete. I recommend spending 3 days (2 nights) hiking the Routeburn Track, with one night at Lake MacKenzie and another at the Routeburn Falls Hut.

This way, you will be able to enjoy the stunning view of Lake MacKenzie and Routeburn Falls Hut during the golden hours and capture some truly stunning pictures.

Each mountain hut and camping ground isn't very far from each other, at around 10 km apart, and the trail isn't too difficult, so expect to hike around 4-5 hours a day.

Which Direction To Hike The Routeburn Track?

The Routeburn Track is a one-way hike starting at the Divide in Te Anau and ending at the Routeburn Shelter near Queenstown, and vice versa. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter which direction you hike, since the elevation gain and the distance between campsites are equally distributed throughout the trail.

Personally, I chose to do it from the Divide (Te Anau) to the Routeburn Shelter (Queenstown) as I was planning to head back from Te Anau to Queenstown anyway after visiting the Milford Sound, and this direction makes sense for my itinerary.

So, which direction should you hike the Routeburn Track? Take a look at your itinerary: where will you be before and after the Routeburn Track? Choose the direction that makes the most sense.

Looking for a complete travel guide to the Milford Sound?A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound

What to know before hiking the Routeburn Track?

• Book Mountain Huts in Advance: Mountain Huts are always in high demand during the Great Walk season, and to prevent disappointment, I will have to book the mountain huts in advance. Otherwise, they won't let you in when you arrive.
• Book your Transfers in Advance: You will also have to book your transfer from Te Anau to the Divide and, more importantly, from Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown in advance in order to ensure that you have a way to and from both ends of the Routeburn Track.
• Transfer Your Other Luggage Ahead: If you are doing the Routeburn Track as part of a bigger trip to New Zealand, you will be happy to know that Tracknet also provides a backpack transfer service where you can transport things you do not need for the hike ahead from Te Anau to Queenstown, and you can then pick them up at the Info & Track Office in town 3 days later.
• Check the Weather Forecast: The weather changes a lot in Fjordland National Park. You could experience rain, snowstorms, and sun within a span of 3 days. Always listen to what the ranger says in the morning at the mountain huts and heed their advice.
• Study the Route: Before you hike, make sure you study the route carefully so that you will know what to expect. Here is the official Routeburn Track brochure with all the information you need for the hike.

The Routeburn Track 3-days Itinerary

Day 1: Te Anau to the Key Summit to Lake MacKenzie

Given that you have organized your mountain huts and transfers weeks before, the Tracknet shuttle bus should be waiting for you in Te Anau in front of the Tracknet Office at 7:15 AM. If you wish to transfer some luggage ahead to Queenstown, be sure to get there earlier and drop your luggage off at the office before you get on the shuttle bus.

The shuttle bus should take you to The Divide, where the Routeburn Track begins. But before that, it will stop at the Mirror Lakes for you to take some photos before dropping you off at the Divide parking lot.

Right off the bat, the Routeburn Track will begin to climb up on the side of a mountain for around an hour, where you will reach our first attraction of the Routeburn Track, the Key Summit.

The Key Summit is a beautiful alpine wetland where you can walk along the wooden walkway to appreciate the beauty of Key Summit and the panoramic view over Fiordland mountains and alpine lakes.

You can spend around 30 minutes and rest at Key Summit to immerse yourself in the beautiful Mother Nature before you make your way down the same way. The next section of the trail will take you through some stunning mossy forest straight out of a fairy tale.

As you navigate through a beech forest, you will arrive at Lake Howden Hut where you can stop for lunch and take a break before you continue towards Lake MacKenzie.

On your way to Lake MacKenzie, you will stumble upon the impressive 174 m high Earland Falls, marking the halfway point between the Divide and Lake MacKenzie, our next stop.

The trail will gradually ascend into the Orchard, an open grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, and up to the beautiful Lake MacKenzie and the first mountain hut where you will spend your first night.

The sunset is especially beautiful at Lake MacKenzie, so be sure to come out during the golden hours and snap some photos. Unfortunately, it was rather cloudy when I was there, so I was unable to see anything. Nevertheless, the lake is pretty at any time of the day and under any type of weather.

Your first night sleeping in a mountain hut will take some time to get used to, as everyone gathers around in the dining area for warmth. And when it's time for bed, you will be sleeping with all the hikers there in the same room. Earplugs are essential for a good night's sleep in mountain huts like these.

Day 2: Lake MacKenzie to Harris Saddle to Routeburn Falls Hut

Start your second day as early as you can. Have breakfast, and the ranger will come and brief you about the trail conditions and the weather forecast for that day. Now, if they say the trail is closed due to snow, then you won't be able to do anything but turn back. However, that rarely happens during peak seasons, so do not worry about it.

Your second day on the Routeburn Track begins with a walk out of the mossy forest and a steep ascent up to the saddle before the trail hugs along the side of a mountain.

The first part was rather difficult, especially when you have to do it first thing in the morning. But once you reach the saddle, the trail becomes much easier as it continues along the side of the mountain.

For this section, you will be able to see the exposed Hollyford Face with the expansive views of the Darran Mountains. Unfortunately, I was unable to see any of that as you can see, we were hit by a snowstorm that day.

The morning began rather nicely with a little snowfall, and as the ranger told us it was okay to hike, we went for it. However, the weather got worse and worse from then on. By the time we reached the Darran Mountain's trail section, I was completely soaked, and my backpack was covered in snow.

We were later told that the freak weather would have closed down the trail if they had known it would be this heavy. The visibility was pretty bad for us, but thankfully, the trail is pretty wide and the signs are quite clear, so we had no trouble navigating the Routeburn Track that day.

After hiking the Routeburn Track on your second day for about 3 hours, you will arrive at the Harris Saddle, the highest point of the Routeburn Track at 1,255 meters above sea level. There, you will find a bare mountain hut where you can shelter from the wind.

As we arrived on the saddle, we were completely soaked to our bones, and the wind did not let up. So, we spent a few minutes sheltering in the hut before we continued on.

Thankfully, it is all downhill from Harris Saddle, and you should be at the Routeburn Falls Hut in no time. When you arrive, there should be a fireplace with available logs that you can use to warm yourself and others up.

The Routeburn Falls Hut is pretty much the same as the one at Lake MacKenzie, but a little larger. Here, you will be ushered into a shared room where you can sleep on bunk beds with your own sleep bag. The second and last night sleeping in a mountain hut should be a little easier for you now that you are used to it.

Day 3: Routeburn Falls Hut to Routeburn Shelter

The third day on the Routeburn Track is a simple stroll down a 3-hour trail that descends through another beech forest. Keep your eyes open and try to spot all the waterfalls around the area. There are quite a few that are worth seeing.

Since it had been snowing heavily on me the day before, I decided to backtrack my way through thick snow, and boy, was it worth it. The snowfall from the previous day made the mountains around the Routeburn Track even more stunning than they were the day before.

As you continue down the trail through the beech forest, it should open up, and you will be able to see the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Humboldt Mountains and the golden grassland with a river running through it.

It should take you around 1 hour of descending down the mountain before you arrive at the Routeburn Flats Hut, where you can take a break and enjoy the stunning view of the golden plain of grass that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Since the Tracknet bus wouldn't arrive until 2 PM at the Routeburn Shelter, you can take it slow from here on and truly appreciate where you are at the moment.

Surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains, raging rivers, and golden grass flats, it is hard not to think about just how lucky you are to be able to see such beautiful nature up close.

Continue down the mountain and you will arrive at the Routeburn Shelter in about 1.5 hours. Congratulations, you have completed the 3-day hike along the Routeburn Track, one of the best Great Walks in New Zealand.

The shuttle should pick you up around 2 PM, and you will be chartered to Queenstown in about an hour, where your belongings are waiting for you at the Info & Track Office in town.

As mentioned earlier, if you want to hike the Routeburn Track, you will need to book the mountain huts or campsites in advance. Otherwise, you won't be allowed inside the hut if you have not paid for it.

Since we will be spending 2 nights at the Routeburn Track, you will have to book the Lake MacKenzie Hut and the Routeburn Falls Hut. Alternatively, if you have your own camping gear, you can book a campsite instead, which is way cheaper.

A night in one of these mountain huts will cost you around 140 NZD, whereas the campsite will cost you 40 NZD. You will have access to facilities like toilets and kitchen sinks, regardless of whether you book a space in the mountain hut or a campsite.

If you book a mountain hut, you will need a sleeping bag, and you will be able to sleep inside the shelter in a shared room with the rest of the hikers that day. They will provide you with a futon, and that is it. Do not expect any other service except for a shelter here. You are hiking in the wild, after all.

The kitchen facility is also quite limiting, with no access to gas. So, you will have to prepare your own stove or, better yet, prepare enough food for 3 days before the hike.

To book the mountain huts and campsites along the Routeburn Track, click the link below:

Book Routeburn Track Mountain Huts

When to Hike the Routeburn Track?

Due to heavy snowfall, the Routeburn Track is open with huts and campsites fully operational from November to April, which is the best time to hike the Routeburn Track as there are fewer hazards to deal with.

In my opinion, the earlier you hike the trail during the Great Walk season, the better, as you will have more options on dates to choose from when the mountain huts and campsites are still available. They get booked out extremely fast, so make sure you plan ahead.

You can hike outside of the Great Walk season (May to October), but you will have to be fit, experienced, and well-equipped as the trail can be covered in snowfall, and the facilities' capabilities along the trail are greatly reduced.

You do not have to book the mountain huts during this time. In fact, it might not even be open, so you will have to carry your own camping gear. Personally, I would not recommend hiking the Routeburn Track out of season unless you know what you are doing.

How to Get to the Routeburn Track?

If you decide to start at The Divide, the Routeburn Track will begin in Te Anau, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand. In order to get there, you will have to get yourself to Auckland, Christchurch, or Queenstown, the main travel hubs in New Zealand.

From the US, there are no direct flights to Queenstown, Auckland, or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.

From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines. From there, you will have to transit through their headquarters to reach Auckland or Christchurch before continuing on to Queenstown. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.

From Asia, there are several airlines offering various routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you to Auckland and Christchurch, where you can then catch a flight to Queenstown. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are great options to travel this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.

To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting from Auckland to Te Anau

By Air: Queenstown is the closest city to Te Anau and it has an airport that you can fly into. Jetstar and Air New Zealand often fly from Auckland to Queenstown around 7 times a day. The journey should take around 2 hours and cost around 67 USD. You can book your flight here.

Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.

Getting from Christchurch to Te Anau

By Air: From Christchurch, you can also fly to Queenstown, which is recommended over taking the bus as it will be cheaper and much faster.

Air New Zealand flies this route directly three times a day. It will take about 1 hour 15 minutes and cost $95. You can book your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.

Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.

Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau

By Bus: Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can travel to Te Anau by buses operated by Tracknet. They have three buses leaving from The Station Bus Stop at 6:55 AM, 10:35 AM, and 4:35 PM every day.

The bus journey from Queenstown to Te Anau will take around 2.5 hours and cost 49 NZD per person. You can book the bus to Te Anau here.

By Car: If you are looking for a more comfortable way to travel to Te Anau, you can also rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drive there in about 2 hours. It will cost you around 25 USD per day. To rent a car, click the link below:

Rent a Car in Queenstown

Looking for a complete travel guide to Queenstown?10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown

Getting from Te Anau to the Routeburn Track to Queenstown

By Tracknet Bus: Tracknet Shuttle Bus also runs between Te Anau and the Divide Parking Lot, where the trailhead of the Routeburn Track is located. They have 3 buses from Te Anau to the Divide, leaving at 7:15 AM, 9:45 AM, and 1:25 PM.

The Tracknet bus from Te Anau to the Divide will cost around 47 NZD and takes about 1.5 hours. I recommend booking the earliest one so that you will have time on the trail.

Tracknet runs between the Routeburn Shelter and Queenstown, which you will need to book in advance to get back from the trail to Queenstown in 3 days. They have 2 buses running from the Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown at 9:45 AM and 2:15 PM.

For this itinerary, you can only make it to the 2:15 PM bus, so make sure you book that one. This will cost you around 45 NZD, and the trip from the Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown will take about 1 hour. To book for these transfers, click the link below.

Book Tracknet Shuttle Buses

By Hitchhiking: You could also hitchhike, as you will find many cars traveling the road between Te Anau and the Milford Sound. However, from the Routeburn Shelter, there won't be any cars to hitchhike, so you will still need shuttle service.

Info and Track shuttle bus runs between the Routeburn Shelter and Queenstown for around 35 USD, and you can book one in advance with the link below.

Book Info and Track Shuttle Buses

How Much Does It Cost To Hike the Routeburn Track?

With all the transfers and mountain huts to book for three days, we can calculate roughly how much you will be spending hiking the Routeburn Track as follows:

Accommodation: For 2 nights on the Routeburn Track, you will be spending around $200 USD on accommodation.

Food: Since you will have to prepare your own food for 3 days, you will be spending around 30 USD on groceries at the supermarket.

Transportation: The transfers from Te Anau to the Divide and the Routeburn Shelter will cost you 93 NZD (68.48 USD) for transportation.

Activities: Hiking is free, so 0 USD for activities.

Total Budget for 3 days hiking the Routeburn Track: 298.48 USD (405.34 NZD).

Is the Routeburn Track Safe?

The weather around the Fjordland National Park can be quite hazardous, so it is always a good idea to check the weather forecast before you embark on a hike.

Once you are at the mountain hut, the ranger will inform you about the trail condition and provide information about the weather in the morning. He or she will also suggest whether you can continue or not. Listen to the ranger, follow his or her advice, and you should be fine.

Even with the ranger updating the situation every morning, the weather can change unexpectedly. I experienced three climates on the Routeburn Track: overcast, snowstorm, and sunny, all within a span of three days. Thankfully, the trail was pretty wide, making it easier to navigate, and the path was clear enough to make out even with the snow.

Like with most hikes in New Zealand, you will need to exercise caution before you embark on your hikes, such as preparing your gear for every type of weather you can imagine, and always be willing to turn back if things get hairy.

What to Pack for the Routeburn Track?

• Sturdy Shoes: The trail can get very rocky at times and can be slippery if it rained the day before, so be sure your shoes can handle that. This Timberland Shoe is my go-to hiking boot in most situations.
• Sleeping Bags: The mountain huts do not provide anything else except shelters, so you will have to prepare your own sleeping bag and pillow for the hike. Get ones that can handle subzero temperatures, such as this sleeping bag, as it can get very cold at night.
• Water bottles: You will be walking 4-5 hours a day, so I recommend getting at least 2-3 liters of water for the hike. You can use the bottle to refill it with tap water at the mountain huts. I always carry my 2-liter hydration pack which I recommend so you can stay hydrated without stopping.
• Layers: The weather changes alarmingly fast up there, so having layers where you can switch in and out very quickly is important. Here are the jackets I recommend you get for the trip: fleece jacket, the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket, wool gloves, and wool beanie.
• Waterproof Pants: The weather changes a lot along the trail, and there will likely be some snow when you hike. Therefore, it is recommended to have good waterproof/snowproof pants to wear over your hiking pants.
• Food and snacks: You cannot buy any food anywhere along the trail, so be sure you prepare enough food for 3 days before you embark on the journey. Also, buy a lot of energy bars just in case you get hungry along the way. If you wish to heat your food, bring a gas stove as well.
• Foldable Knife: If you want to cook your own food at the mountain huts, you will need a foldable knife to do so.
• Foldable Knife: If you want to cook your own food at the mountain huts, you will need a foldable knife to do so.
• Power Bank: Pack a power bank with a capacity of at least 20,000 mAh to last you for 3 days, so you do not have to compete with others for power outlets. I recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for the hike.
• Headlamps: There are no lights at the campground and at the mountain huts at night, so be sure to bring a headlamp with spare batteries.
• A Backpack: You will need a backpack to carry all your gear with you, as well as the food, pillows, and sleeping bag. I often use the Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack to carry everything with me on most hikes I do, and I have nothing but praise for this backpack.

Check Out My Hiking Packing List

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for New Zealand? Check out:What to Pack for New Zealand - The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand

I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, that might help you in your trip planning.

Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
• Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending 2 weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2-Week Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
• Want to visit New Zealand but not sure what to pack? Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for New Zealand
• Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
• New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
• If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
• Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
• Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
• Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
• Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here’s The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
• Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
• Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town, full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
• Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
• Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here’s my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
• The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
• Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best done together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
• Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers. From the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
• Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
• You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.