The Routeburn is one of New Zealand’s most loved Great Walks — a 32 km alpine traverse linking Fiordland and Mt Aspiring national parks, between Glenorchy (near Queenstown) and the Milford Road. In 2–3 days it serves up mountain passes, hanging valleys, waterfalls and the spectacular Harris Saddle and Conical Hill side-trip.
The basics
- Distance: ~32 km, usually 2–3 days.
- Difficulty: Intermediate — well-formed but alpine; weather can be severe.
- Ends: It’s a one-way track between two trailheads far apart by road, so plan transport (shuttles run from Queenstown/Te Anau).
Booking & season
The Great Walks season runs roughly late October to April. You must book huts/campsites in advance through DOC — bookings for 2026/27 opened 15 May 2026 and popular dates go fast. Outside the main season it becomes a serious alpine undertaking (no services, avalanche risk).
Don’t have 3 days? Day-walk it
You can sample the best bits for free: Key Summit from the Milford Road end (3 hours return to alpine tarns and huge views), or Routeburn Flats from the Glenorchy end (a gorgeous valley walk).
What to bring
Proper boots, layers, rain gear, and food for the whole trip. Mountain weather changes fast — check the DOC alerts before you go.
Base a Campervanz van in Queenstown or Te Anau and tackle the Routeburn (or just day-walk the highlights).
