The Routeburn Track: Complete Guide to New Zealand's Alpine Great Walk

The Routeburn Track is a 32 km alpine Great Walk in New Zealand's South Island, linking Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks over the 1,255 m Harris Saddle. Most walkers take 2 to 4 days, staying in Department of Conservation huts that must be booked months ahead for the staffed Great Walk season, which runs late October to April. It is rated moderate — no technical climbing, but exposed alpine weather that can turn serious within hours.

Routeburn Track Route: Stage-by-Stage Overview

The Routeburn is a point-to-point track between the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy (a 45-minute drive from Queenstown) and The Divide on the Milford Road. Because the two trailheads are 320 km apart by road, almost everyone uses a track-transport shuttle to return. The classic schedule is three days and two nights, which keeps daily distances short enough to absorb the views and the unpredictable weather. Our Routeburn Track trail page records the GPS profile and the 32 km total distance.

How Difficult Is the Routeburn Track?

The Routeburn is rated moderate and is well within reach of any reasonably fit walker. The track is benched, graded and well maintained, with no scrambling or river fords. The two real challenges are the climb to the Harris Saddle — roughly 700 m of ascent on day two over a few hours — and the alpine exposure that comes with it. Above the bushline there is no shelter, and Fiordland's weather can deliver rain, wind and a temperature drop of 10°C with little warning even in summer. If you can walk 10–12 km a day on hill terrain carrying a 10–13 kg pack, the distances are comfortable; the skill that matters most is reading the forecast and being prepared to wait out a storm.

Best Time to Hike the Routeburn Track

The Great Walk season, late October to April, is the only sensible window for most walkers. During these months the huts are staffed with wardens, gas cookers and heating are provided, and the track is at its safest with the Harris Saddle largely clear of snow. December to February is the warmest and most settled period — and the hardest to book, with hut spaces often selling out within hours of the booking system opening months in advance. Shoulder weeks in late October and April are quieter but colder. Outside the Great Walk season the bridges are removed, huts are unheated, and the alpine section becomes a serious mountaineering undertaking that should only be attempted with full winter skills.

What to Pack for the Routeburn Track

Because you sleep in huts with bunks and mattresses, you do not need a tent, but you do need a sleeping bag rated to around 0°C — the huts are not heated overnight. A 50–65 L pack carries three days of food, a sleeping bag and full waterproofs without strain; the Osprey Exos 58 (1,420 g) or the more supportive Osprey Atmos AG 50 (1,900 g) both suit the load well.

Fiordland is one of the wettest places on earth, so a genuinely waterproof hardshell jacket and overtrousers are essential rather than optional — this is the single most common gear failure on the track. Add warm midlayers, a hat and gloves for the saddle, quick-dry walking clothes, and a dry bag to protect your sleeping bag and spare layers. For the wider picture on hut bookings and the other nine tracks, read our New Zealand Great Walks guide, and always confirm current track status and book huts through the official Department of Conservation site before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need for the Routeburn Track?

Two to four days. The standard and most popular option is three days and two nights, which splits the 32 km into easy 9–12 km stages and leaves time for the Harris Saddle and Key Summit side trips. Strong walkers occasionally do it in two days, while a four-day version using extra hut nights suits photographers and slower groups.

Do you need to book huts on the Routeburn Track?

Yes. During the Great Walk season every hut night must be booked in advance through the Department of Conservation, and the most popular summer dates sell out within hours of bookings opening. There is no walk-in option in season, so secure your hut passes before arranging flights or shuttle transport.

Can you walk the Routeburn Track in one direction only?

Yes, and most people do. The track is point-to-point between the Routeburn Shelter and The Divide, with the two ends 320 km apart by road. A dedicated track-transport shuttle connects both trailheads with Queenstown and Te Anau, so you only walk the 32 km once and ride back.

How cold does the Routeburn Track get?

Even in summer, temperatures on the exposed Harris Saddle can fall close to freezing when the weather turns, and overnight hut temperatures sit in the single digits. A sleeping bag rated to about 0°C, a warm midlayer and waterproof shell layers are needed year-round to stay safe above the bushline.