GW - 05 Heaphy Track vs GW - 06 Routeburn Track
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| GW - 05 Heaphy Track | GW - 06 Routeburn Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 49 mi78 km | 20 mi32 km |
| Elevation gain | 3,802 ft1,159 m | 3,780 ft1,152 m |
| Typical duration | 4 days | 2 days |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | National | National |
| Country | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Best time to hike | Best from January to March | Best from January to March |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
GW - 05 Heaphy Track vs GW - 06 Routeburn Track: which should you hike?
At 49 mi78 km, GW - 05 Heaphy Track is the longer route — roughly 29 mi46 km more than GW - 06 Routeburn Track (20 mi32 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, GW - 06 Routeburn Track is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.