The Routeburn Track is a point-to-point hike between Routeburn Shelter, near Glenorchy, and The Divide on the Milford Road. Planning it means more than choosing a hut: you need to match the itinerary to your fitness, prepare for fast-changing alpine weather, and arrange transport between two separate trailheads. The track is about 32 km and is commonly walked over two to four days, but its length alone doesn’t capture the effort or conditions involved. Before booking, check Department of Conservation (DOC) track alerts, hut arrangements and weather information, then pack for rain, cold and a change of plan.
The Routeburn Track crosses landscapes in Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, following the Routeburn valley before climbing toward Harris Saddle and descending past Lake Mackenzie toward The Divide. The high section is the part to treat with particular care: weather exposure, snow and poor visibility can change how straightforward the day feels. A clear forecast at the trailhead doesn’t guarantee the same conditions higher on the track.
You can walk in either direction. Your choice may depend on hut availability, transport arrangements and which end is easiest to reach from your accommodation. Neither direction turns the full crossing into a loop, so a return journey needs separate transport planning or a walk back along the same track.
Some walkers consider a side trip toward Conical Hill from Harris Saddle. Treat it as an optional extra, not part of the time you need to complete the crossing. It adds effort in exposed terrain, so only consider it when conditions, visibility, fitness and your schedule make it a sensible choice.
A three-day itinerary is a useful planning outline for the full route, but it isn’t a guarantee that every group will find the stages comfortable. The example below uses established huts; book the accommodation you plan to use and check DOC’s current information before committing to a schedule.
| Day | Route | Planning consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Falls Hut | Settle into a steady pace and allow time for breaks. An overnight at Routeburn Flats Hut can create a more gradual approach if it suits your bookings. |
| 2 | Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut via Harris Saddle | Plan this as a significant alpine day. Check conditions before leaving and don’t add a side trip unless time and weather allow. |
| 3 | Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide | Allow for a full walking day and have your onward transport arranged at the western trailhead. |
A two-day crossing compresses the route into longer days. It may suit fit, experienced trampers who can maintain a safe pace and have enough daylight, but it leaves less room for delays or deteriorating conditions. An extra night can make the walk more manageable for a group that prefers shorter stages; it also means another hut or campsite booking to organise.
Use realistic walking times from current DOC information, then add time for stops and the pace of the slowest person in your party. If someone is new to multi-day hiking, practise with a loaded pack before the trip. Don’t set a schedule that depends on everyone walking at their fastest pace throughout the day.
Weather is one of the main factors that can change a Routeburn Track plan. Rain, wind, low cloud, cold temperatures and snow can affect comfort, visibility and safe progress, particularly around the high route. Conditions may change during the day, so make decisions using the latest forecast and track information rather than relying on what you saw when planning at home.
Before leaving, read DOC’s Routeburn Track alerts and check the relevant MetService forecast. If you’re considering a trip outside the Great Walk season, also consult the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory and DOC’s seasonal guidance. Off-season travel can involve more demanding alpine conditions and different facility or track arrangements; it requires appropriate experience, equipment and judgement. If you’re unfamiliar with those conditions, plan for the main walking season or choose a lower-risk outing.
Agree with your group in advance that turning back is a valid decision. Set a turnaround time that leaves enough daylight to reach a safe place, and reconsider the plan if cloud, wind, snow or heavy rain makes navigation or footing uncertain. A booked hut or shuttle is not a reason to continue into conditions you judge to be unsafe.
Keep the group together, especially in poor visibility, and avoid splitting up to maintain different walking speeds. If the track is affected by a closure or warning, follow DOC’s advice rather than trying to find an improvised route around the problem.
Pack for conditions that may be colder and wetter than the weather at the start suggests. Choose a comfortable pack and keep spare clothing and sleeping gear protected with waterproof bags or a pack liner; a rain cover alone may not keep everything dry in prolonged rain. Wear footwear that fits well and has reliable grip, and use it on training walks before departure.
Keep a warm layer and waterproof shell easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of your pack. Pack weight matters, but leaving out rain protection, warm clothing or essential safety equipment to save weight is a poor trade. Adjust the list to your group, the season, your overnight bookings and the latest DOC advice.
The Routeburn Track’s two ends are connected by road, not by a short walk. The Routeburn Shelter is reached from the Glenorchy side, while The Divide is on the Milford Road. Confirm how you’ll get between them before fixing your walking dates, and check that the pickup point and time work with your intended direction and hut bookings.
| Transport plan | Works well when | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked shuttle | You have one vehicle, or don’t want to leave a car at the finishing trailhead. | Operating dates, pickup location, timing, luggage arrangements and what happens if your walking schedule changes. |
| Two vehicles | Your group can leave a vehicle at each end and has enough drivers. | Road access, parking arrangements and the time needed to position both vehicles before the walk. |
| Return walk | You want to start and finish at the same trailhead and have time and energy for the extra walking. | The additional distance, days, food and accommodation required; a return walk is not part of the 32 km crossing. |
Transport services and schedules can vary, so reserve a shuttle directly with the operator you choose and reconfirm the details close to departure. If using vehicles, agree who will drive each leg and where the keys will be. Don’t leave the transport plan until the morning you start: a missed connection can affect your whole itinerary.
For an overnight Routeburn Track trip, use DOC’s Great Walk booking system to check availability and book the huts or campsites you intend to use. Availability affects which direction and itinerary are practical, so compare dates before arranging transport that can’t be changed easily. Read the current facility information for each stop, including cooking arrangements, and carry the personal gear and food you’ll need.
Keep your booking details accessible and make sure everyone in the group knows where you plan to stay each night. If you change direction, dates or overnight stops, revisit both the bookings and your transport arrangements. Do not assume that an unbooked bed will be available when you arrive.
Tell a trusted person your route, planned overnight stops and expected return time, and agree when they should raise the alarm if you haven’t checked in. Leave your trip details with the appropriate land management or emergency reporting system where advised. Carry a PLB and know how to use it; mobile phone coverage should not be relied on across a remote track.
Check the latest track status shortly before departure, then make a final decision based on conditions at the time. If a member of the group is unwell, the weather is worsening or your pace is substantially slower than planned, reassess early. Having enough food, warm clothing and time to respond to a delay is part of the safety plan, not excess baggage.
The full crossing is about 32 km and is generally planned over two to four days. Your pace, overnight bookings, fitness and conditions determine which itinerary is appropriate; don’t choose the shortest option solely to fit a transport timetable.
Yes. The route can be walked from Routeburn Shelter to The Divide or in reverse. Choose a direction that works with hut availability and your road transfer, then confirm that your transport provider serves the trailhead you’ll finish at.
A first multi-day walk may be possible with careful preparation, but the Routeburn is not a casual day hike. Practise walking with a loaded pack, choose a realistic itinerary and be ready to adjust your plans for alpine weather or a slower group pace.
For an overnight trip using Great Walk huts, check availability and booking requirements through DOC before you travel. Reserve every overnight stop in your itinerary and read the current facility information so you know what personal gear to bring.
No. Phone coverage may not be available throughout the track, so download or carry suitable route information and bring a map and compass if you can use them. A PLB provides an emergency option independent of mobile reception.
Read DOC’s current seasonal and track guidance, check the forecast and consult the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory where relevant. Off-season conditions and facilities differ from the main Great Walk period, so go only if your skills and equipment match the risks.
For a safer Routeburn Track trip, settle the itinerary, bookings and trailhead transfer together, then pack for the conditions rather than the forecast you hope to get. Check DOC’s latest track information before setting out and be willing to change your plan if the weather or your group’s progress calls for it.
