The Routeburn Track is a moderate Great Walk: 33 km over 2-3 days with around 1,000 m of total ascent and a high point of 1,255 m at the Harris Saddle. The track is well-formed and non-technical in summer, so the main challenges are sustained climbs, sudden alpine weather and river-prone sections rather than difficult terrain.
Many hikers wonder if the Routeburn is within their ability. The honest answer is that a reasonably fit walker can complete the Routeburn Track comfortably in the serviced summer season. The difficulty comes from weather and exposure, not technical climbing. Here is the full picture for 2026.
How hard is the Routeburn Track really?
On a 1-10 scale the Routeburn rates around 4-5 out of 10: moderate and accessible to fit beginners. The track is a graded, well-maintained Great Walk with bridges over major rivers and boardwalk on boggy sections. The biggest single effort is the climb to the 1,255 m Harris Saddle. Compared with a high-altitude trek like the Everest Base Camp Trek, there is no altitude problem; the test is alpine weather and stamina.
What is the elevation and terrain like?
| Section | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Routeburn Shelter to Falls Hut | 8.8 km | Gentle river climb |
| Falls Hut to Harris Saddle | 3.4 km | Steep climb to 1,255 m |
| Saddle to Lake Mackenzie | 11.3 km | Exposed alpine traverse |
| Mackenzie to The Divide | 12 km | Forest descent |
Days are typically 4-6 hours of walking. A comfortable, well-fitted pack such as the Osprey Atmos AG 50 or the lighter Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L keeps the climbs manageable.
What makes the weather a hazard?
The Routeburn's exposure on the Harris Saddle is its real difficulty. Fiordland weather can shift from sun to driving sleet within an hour, even in summer, and the region sees rain on more than 200 days a year. Rivers and side streams rise fast in heavy rain. Always check conditions through MetService New Zealand and the Department of Conservation before crossing the alpine section, and carry proper waterproofs.
How fit do you need to be?
You should be able to walk 5-6 hours with a 10-13 kg pack and handle a sustained 600 m climb. Most reasonably active people manage the Routeburn after some hill walking preparation. Training your legs for the steep saddle climb and the long forest descent to The Divide is the best use of your time. A lighter load helps; keep your kit tight using our Routeburn packing list.
How does it compare to other Great Walks?
The Routeburn is harder than the gentle, flat Abel Tasman Coast Track because of its alpine crossing, but shorter and less remote than the 78.4 km Heaphy Track. Its scenery-per-kilometre is among the highest of any Great Walk. For a roomier load on longer tracks, a pack like the Osprey Aether 65 works well. Compare all ten in our New Zealand Great Walks guide.
How should you train for the Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn rewards leg strength and steady aerobic fitness more than speed. Train for the sustained climb to the 1,255 m Harris Saddle with weekly hill walks and the long forest descent with downhill practice, building over 6-8 weeks to carrying a 10-13 kg pack for 5-6 hours. Stair climbing and weighted hikes translate directly to the track. Practising with your loaded pack, whether the Osprey Atmos AG 50 or the lighter Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L, conditions your shoulders and hips for the real days.
How do you handle rivers and sudden bad weather?
The Routeburn's bridged rivers make most crossings safe, but side streams and the exposed saddle are where judgement matters. If a stream is discoloured, fast or above your knees, do not cross; wait for levels to drop, which often happens within hours after rain. On the alpine traverse, turn back or shelter if visibility and wind make the saddle dangerous. Carry full waterproofs, warm synthetic layers and a means of calling for help. Compared with the long, remote Heaphy Track, the Routeburn is shorter but more exposed, while the gentle Abel Tasman Coast Track carries far less alpine risk, making it the easier first Great Walk.
How long does each day take and how should you pace it?
The standard two-night itinerary keeps daily efforts moderate. Most hikers walk 4-6 hours between huts, covering 9-12 km a day with a few hundred metres of climb, which leaves time to enjoy the alpine scenery and shelter from afternoon weather. Cross the exposed Harris Saddle in the morning when conditions are most stable, and do not rush the long forest descent to The Divide, where tired legs cause most slips. A measured pace with regular short breaks beats pushing hard, especially in the wet. Carrying a light, well-fitted load in a pack like the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L keeps the climbs comfortable. Compared with the 60 km Kepler and the famous Milford, the Routeburn packs the most scenery into the fewest days, which is why it is a favourite first alpine Great Walk alongside the easier Abel Tasman Coast Track.
What is the difficulty verdict for the Routeburn?
The Routeburn Track is a moderate Great Walk that a fit beginner can complete comfortably in the summer season. The 33 km route is well-formed and non-technical, with the 1,255 m Harris Saddle as its biggest effort, so the real challenge is alpine weather rather than terrain. Prepare with some hill walking, carry full waterproofs and a sensible 10-13 kg load in a pack like the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L, and respect river crossings. Outside the 2026 Great Walks season it becomes a serious mountaineering route needing snow skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Routeburn Track hard for beginners?
The Routeburn is moderate and achievable for fit beginners in the summer season. It is a well-formed, non-technical track with bridges and boardwalks, and the hardest part is the climb to the 1,255 m Harris Saddle. Some hill-walking preparation and proper waterproof gear make it comfortable for most active people.
How long does it take to hike the Routeburn Track?
Most hikers complete the 33 km Routeburn Track in two to three days, walking 4 to 6 hours daily between huts. Fit walkers occasionally do it in a single long day, but the standard itinerary uses two nights in huts to enjoy the alpine scenery and manage the weather.
What is the hardest part of the Routeburn Track?
The hardest part is the climb from Routeburn Falls Hut to the 1,255 m Harris Saddle, followed by the exposed alpine traverse to Lake Mackenzie. This section is steep and fully exposed to Fiordland weather, which can turn from sun to cold, wet conditions within an hour even in summer.
How much elevation gain is on the Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn Track has around 1,000 m of total ascent over its 33 km, with the high point at the 1,255 m Harris Saddle. The biggest single climb is the steep 3.4 km section from Routeburn Falls Hut up to the saddle, gaining several hundred metres.
Do I need hiking experience for the Routeburn Track?
You do not need technical mountaineering experience for the summer Routeburn, but you should be comfortable walking 5 to 6 hours with a 10 to 13 kg pack and handling sudden alpine weather. Outside the Great Walks season the track becomes a serious mountaineering route requiring snow and avalanche skills.