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One of New Zealand's Great Walks: beech forest and river flats, waterfalls, alpine lakes, the 1,255-metre Harris Saddle, and a long balcony path high above the Hollyford valley with the jagged Darran Mountains across the void.
The Routeburn links Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks across the Southern Alps, following an old Māori route used to reach the West Coast's pounamu, greenstone.
It runs 33 km from the Routeburn Shelter beyond Glenorchy, over Harris Saddle, to the Divide on the Milford road, passing beech forest, alpine lakes and high ground above the Hollyford. Multi-day trips use DOC huts at Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, Lake Mackenzie and Lake Howden, which must be booked months ahead, or guided trips with private lodges.
From the Queenstown end, a day walk to Routeburn Flats and up to the Falls hut is a strong option. Shuttles run from Queenstown to the trailhead and back from the Divide. Key Summit, three hours return from the Divide, is the day-walk version of the far end.
For a gentler outing on the drive to Paradise, two short walks near the trailhead wander through beech forest and river flats to a quiet lake. Lake Sylvan is about an hour and a half return; the Routeburn Nature Walk is a short loop from the shelter itself.
A classic three-day crossing; the first stage doubles as the best day walk.
From the shelter, cross swing bridges along the clear Route Burn through beech forest to the open grassy flats.
A steady climb to the Falls hut, perched at the bushline beside cascades. Day walkers turn back here.
Past Lake Harris to the saddle shelter. Climb Conical Hill if the weather is clear for a view to the Tasman Sea.
A long traverse high above the Hollyford valley facing the Darrans, descending to Lake Mackenzie's emerald water.
Past the 174-metre Earland Falls and Lake Howden, with a side trip to Key Summit, down to the Divide.
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Huts and campsites are booked on the DOC website. Bookings open in May for the October–April season and sell out within hours for January. International visitors pay higher fees than New Zealanders.
Shuttles run from Queenstown to the Routeburn Shelter and back from the Divide. Car relocation services move your car between ends.
No booking is needed to walk to the Falls hut and back, but start early and carry everything you'd need if the weather turned.
Queenstown practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences; Pexels photographs under the Pexels licence.
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