Routeburn Track day hike from Glenorchy - hiking guide
Routeburn Track day hike from Glenorchy - hiking guide
Did you know that it was possible to complete a day hike on the Routeburn Track from Glenorchy? Read this guide on how you can take a large part of one of the best hikes of New Zealand in one day.
The Routeburn Track is one of the Great Walks New Zealand and one of the most popular on the South Island. If you don't have time to complete the entire 32 km hike, it is possible to cope with a good part of it with a full day and back hike.
If you follow this guide, it is also possible to climb the summit of the Conical Hill and visit one of the most picturesque mountain huts of New Zealand before descending back to Glenorchy.
How to come to the Routeburn Track
Depending on which side you want to start the route, you can either go to Glenorchy, which is about an hour's drive from Queenstown, or to the divide shelter on the Milford Road, 85 km from TE Anau.
In this short guide, I describe my experiences with the hiking of a large section of the Routeburn track on one day of Glenorchy. If you are interested in reading a detailed guide for the entire trip, you can find more information on the Doc website or on Bucketlistly.Blog.
Routeburn Track Day Hike Starting point: Glenorchy
The starting point is the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy, a small farmers' city 65 km from Queenstown, which is worth a visit.
As soon as you have reached the city, you must follow the Glenorchy Paradise Road before turning left onto the Glenorchy Routeburn Road and finally on the right to the Routeburn Road, a well-developed and accessible gravel road.
For the sake of simplicity, I have marked the exact location of the starting point of the Routeburn-Tag hike on the map below.
As soon as you have reached the refuge, you can park your car, fill your water bottle and start the hike.
Routeburn route card and resources
Current information on route closures, hut prices and more can be found on the Doc website. I also recommend downloading this brochure to get more information.
Below I added a map of the entire Routeburn route.
Alt = “> Image Source: https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreaation/tracks-and-walks/southland/routeburn-track-brochure.pdf
Routeburn Day Wanderroute
Long with steep cuts. Easy to persecute track.
entire height difference: 750 m
highest point: conical hill -1515m
For this day trip hike, I suggested that starting at the Routeburn Shelter, past the Routeburn Flats Hut and the Routeburn Falls Hut, Lake Harris and the summit of the Conical Hill before going back to the Routeburn Shelter.
This is a fairly long day hike that cost me for a total of about 8 hours for the return trip, including some short stops.
Routeburn Shelter> ROBRIS HARRIS SADDLE HUT> Conical hut Summit> return
connected: Kepler Track Day Hike and Mount Luxmore Summit
What can be expected
Like all Great Walks in New Zealand, the Routeburn Track is very well maintained and absolutely breathtaking. I would recommend everyone who visits New Zealand to at least try one if they have time.
Routeburn Shelter to the Routeburn Flats Hütte
Total time: 1.5 hours
The first section of the path leads through dense rainforest and crosses several picturesque suspension bridges. This route meanders through some spectacular landscapes along the crystal -clear Routeburn River.
After a few kilometers, we broke out next to a wide grass bush valley, which is known as Routeburn Flats. There is both a hut and a campsite with running water and a toilet if you need it.
Alt = "suspension bridges on the Routeburn Track in New Zealand">
Do not miss: Guide to the 8 best hikes in Queenstown
From the Routeburn Flats Hütte to Routeburn Falls Hütte
Total time: 1 hour
Soon afterwards the path branches back into the tree line, where the long 1-hour promotion to the Routeburn Falls hut begins. From here we were blessed with an incredible view of the Routeburn River and the Tussock Flats.
When we were at the Routeburn Falls, we were also lucky enough to see a helicopter who landed next to the huts and on a rocky right next to the waterfall.
Alt = “Bergseen on the Routeburn track with a view of the valley.”>
Read more: Complete list of the best conversations in Queenstown
From the Routeburn Falls Hütte to Harris Saddle Hütte
Total time: 1 hour
After a quick cereal bar we were back on the trail and the ascent to the highest point on the Routeburn Track; Harris saddle.
This section of the route was my favorite. The path rises gently on a rocky grass tuft and sections of wetlands with surrounding rugged peaks before reaching the incredible Lake Harris.
From here you also have a great view of the Conical Hill.
Alt = “Lake Harris Routeburn day hike“>
After enjoying the view of the turquoise Alpine lake, we continued to go up the cliff to Harris Saddle. Here we found the most picturesque Alphütte New Zealand. This was also the end point of our day hike on the Routeburn Track. But first a quick ascent of the Conical Hill was announced.
Alt = “Harris Saddle Hut Routeburn Daily hike“>
Summit of the conical hill
Total time: 1 hour
The last push of the day hike Routeburn Track - Conical Hill. The summit storm lasted about an hour. This included a little rock climbing and the sloping sections were very icy and slippery. If you try this like us outside of the high season, I would recommend crampons and alpine experience.
The summit offered an excellent view of the hut over the clouds, the Lake Harris, the Fjordlands and the Darran Mountains.
Return to Glenorchy
Total time: 3.5 - 4 hours
In the meantime we were pretty tired. Nevertheless, we still had to go back to Glenorchy. To come back, we followed the same path, which was much easier for the legs because it was mainly downhill.
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Looking for a day hike near Queenstown? Take a look at the full contribution for Ben Lomond.
Great Walks Hiking season
The main hiking season for Great Walks takes from November to April. In these months the weather is warmer and the avalanche risk is lower.
Although the day hike on the Routeburn Track is technically possible all year round, it is important to check the weather conditions and the avalanche risk, especially from May to September.
If you try the summit of the Conical Hill, you have to assess the conditions and do not try snow.
Alt = “Bergseen on the Routeburn track with a view of the valley.”>
Would you like to go to Milford Sound? Read the full travel guide
I hope you have found this guide. For hiking on the Routeburn Track on a day trip. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can leave a comment below. Why don't you see some other epic New Zealand day hikes in the following list.
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