Earnslaw Burn New Zealand - hike with an epic view of the glacier near Glenorchy
Earnslaw Burn New Zealand - hike with an epic view of the glacier near Glenorchy
Earnslaw Burn New Zealand is a hidden jewel of a night hike from Glenorchy. Flowing glacier flows, valley water cases and spectacular glacier views await you.
The Earnslaw Burn hike is an unforgettable night hike near Glenorchy. If you fancy a easily accessible route off the beaten path with incredible views, then you are exactly right here.
While the paths of Routeburn and Kepler can be overcrowded in the high season, hikers who drive to the Earnslaw Burn will probably have the path all for themselves! I found it astonishing that this route was not more popular because the view can sometimes easily keep up with some of the great hikes.
Where is Earnslaw Burn?
The Earnslaw Burn and the glacier are part of the Mount Earnslaw in the MT Aspiring National Park. Access to the route is located near the city of Glenorchy, about an hour's drive from Queenstown.
If you don't have a car, you can book a bus to Glenorchy.
How do I get to Earnslaw Burn?
The start of the Earnslaw Burn route is located in a curve of the Lover’s Leap Road. There are no obvious signs of this hike, so it can prove to be difficult to find them without a little research.
Follow Glenorchy from Glenorchy-Paradise RD for about 15 minutes before turning right onto the LoVer’s Leap Road. From here you continue until you see the obvious "right -angled" curve. Shortly before this curve there is a flat area where cars can be parked or not. This is where the hike begins.
These streets are mostly gravel, but every 2WD can make the journey under good conditions.
For the sake of simplicity, I also marked the exact location on the map below.
GPS coordinates: 44 ° 44’25.3 ″ S 168 ° 24’37.7 ″ E
Find the starting point
Even if you have arrived in the provisional "parking lot", you have to jump over a peasantor and go along the obvious path until you can finally see the signage of the starting point. From here the route is relatively easy to follow.
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn Startpunkt”> Earnslaw Burn starting point. Jumps over this goal.
For Hobbit fans: Did you know that Earnslaw Burn New Zealand appeared in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit"? When you walk along the way, follow the traces of Bilbo and the dwarfs that continue from Bruchtal.
See also: Day hike on the Routeburn Track from Glenorchy-Hiking Leader
What you can expect at the Earnslaw Burn Track
The Earnslaw Burn is a geological watercourse that was dug into the mountain slope from the drain of the Earnslaw glacier. The path follows the "Burn" or glacier river, within the forest and along the slopes of the ridge, before breaking into a Tussock valley with an incredible view of the Earnslaw Burn-Glacier.
Earnslaw Burn Return to the Tussock Valley and 30 km back to the Gletscher
>
> Total height meter: 1350 m (back and forth)
- Alt = "New Zealand Wildlife Birds">
- Alt = "Earnslaw glacier hike">
- Alt = "Mount Earnslaw-summit">
Would you like to hike the Kepler?: Read the full Kepler Track Guide
First section: Buchenwald
The route begins with a gradual climb through the beech forest on private country before it jumps over another fence.
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn hike”>
From here it is a long, rocky and muddy path through the forest for 11 km. The majority of this hike runs in the forest, which is beautiful, but can repeat itself a little. There are also many fall fruit and mud / stone slide along the route. Be sure to check the DOC for updates and follow the orange markings that mark the route.
This section lasted about 4 hours, with many burglaries and climbs on the way.
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn Route Track Windfall”> to remove some rockfall.
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn hiking Glenorchy”>
Alt = "Windfall trees in New Zealand"> Rücung trees on the route.
Do not miss: Guide to the 8 best hikes in Queenstown
Tussock Valley, waterfalls and glacier views
After finally broken trees, we were immediately rewarded with an incredible view of Mt. Earnslaw and the glacier from a distance. Soon afterwards we had to jump over rocks and cross the river, which in my opinion would be quite dangerous after heavy downpours.
Alt = “Earnslaw glacier hike”>
From here the marked path ends. However, you can follow the traces all the way along the river to the foot of the glacier. We decided to cross a shallow section of the ice -cold river, which this time gently flowed.
Alt = “Glenorchy Glazial hiking trails”>
From here we climbed a small bushy hill for incredible views of the glaciers. This part is not exactly a track, but you can see where we went below for the viewpoint in the GPX file.
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn New Zealand, Glenorchy hiking trail”>
Maybe you will notice some helicopters who fly over the valley and to the glacier. This is the alternative and much easier way to reach the Earnslaw Burn. I could imagine that the view from up there would be absolutely unbelievable if you have a clever $ 900 for a helicopter flight over Earnslaw Burn.
Earnslaw Burn GPX file
The following GPX file follows our back route and the height data that were recorded on my Garmin. You can also download this GPX card to upload it to your phone or GPS watch by clicking on the link below.
gpx file: download
Mein Strava: Visit
Read more: Complete list of the best conversations in Queenstown
Camping for overnight stays
It is possible to camp in the Tussock Valley next to the fire for free. The best campsite in my opinion is shortly after breaking out of the forest, right next to the route.
Alt = “Camping at Earnslaw Burn Rocky Bivvy”>
This is the flatest floor you will find completely with a large stone for a table and a campfire. However, this place is quite far from the glacier, so it could be a good idea to build up your tent, invite your bags and make your way to the glacier for the afternoon before returning.
If you prefer it, there are several levels along the route to the glacier in which you can open your tent, even in the immediate vicinity of the glacier. At these points you have a great view, and the floor is flat enough to sleep properly.
Alt = “Camping am Earnslaw Burn Hike”> Morning view of Mt. Earnslaw.
The Earnslaw Burn Bivvy
If you have not brought a tent with you, you can submit to the Earnslaw Burn Bivvy. This is a large rock bivouac that is formed by the overhanging rocks. This is on the right, right behind the first campsite I mentioned.
Earnslaw Burn falls
The Earnslaw Burn hike was in my opinion one of the most scenic hikes in New Zealand. Along the way to the glacier there are a number of endless waterfalls on both sides. The most remarkable were the large, multi -storey pistons in the west of the valley.
If you make it to the Earnslaw Burn glacier, you will also see dozens of epic waterfalls that plunge down the cliff from the melting glacier.
Alt = “Earnslaw burn waterfalls”>
View of the Earnslaw Burn-Gletscher
The further you go up the fire, the better the prospects on the glacier seem to be. Here are some photos that I took on the go and from the above viewpoint.
Alt = “earnslaw glacier”>
Alt = “earnslaw glacier”>
Alt = “earnslaw glacier”>
Alt = “earnslaw glacier”>
Alt = “earnslaw glacier”>
My camera and photo equipment
- Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
- drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
- landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
- all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
- Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
- landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
- Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip
A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.
If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
More photos of Earnslaw Burn New Zealand
I hope that you found this guide for the Earnslaw Burn New Zealand hike useful. When you take the trip, remember to assess the conditions and prepare for a long walk with the possibility of cold river crossings. Further hikes and adventures on the South Island of New Zealand can be found in the corresponding articles below.
especially enjoy!
alt = “Earnslaw glacier hike New Zealand”>
Alt = "Mt Earnslaw and Glacier">
Alt = “Earnslaw glacier hike New Zealand”>
Alt = “Earnslaw Burn New Zealand - Epic hike with Glacier View near Glenorchy”>
.