The Routeburn Track is a 3-day scenic hiking trail that will take you through one of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see in your life. It is one of the 10 Great Walks in New Zealand, and if you have the time to do only one great walk in New Zealand, make it be this one.
This 33 km long hiking trail crosses both Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park, passing through beautiful mountains, alpine valleys, and pristine lakes on a 3-day adventure. In order to do that, you will need to plan ahead with the transfers, reserve your mountain huts, and prepare your gear carefully.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to hike the Routeburn Track in 3 days, with detailed instructions on how to pack for the Routeburn Track, when to reserve the mountain huts, and a detailed day-by-day itinerary, along with photos of the Routeburn Track in its entirety.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the Routeburn Track itinerary maps below:
Routeburn Track Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| 🌤️ Best time: | November to April |
| 🚘 Get around: | Hiking |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 3 days |
| 🚶♂️ Difficulty: | Moderate |
| 💰 Cost: | From around 324 NZD + transfers for international visitors |
How Long Does It Take to Hike the Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn Track is 33 km long, and it can take from 2 - 4 days to complete. I recommend spending 3 days (2 nights) hiking the Routeburn Track, with one night at Lake MacKenzie and another at the Routeburn Falls Hut.
This way, you will be able to enjoy the stunning view of Lake MacKenzie and Routeburn Falls Hut during the golden hours and capture some truly stunning pictures.
Each mountain hut and camping ground isn't very far from each other, at around 10 km apart, and the trail isn't too difficult, so expect to hike around 4-5 hours a day.
Which Direction To Hike The Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn Track is a one-way hike starting at the Divide in Te Anau and ending at the Routeburn Shelter near Queenstown, and vice versa. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter which direction you hike, since the elevation gain and the distance between campsites are equally distributed throughout the trail.
Personally, I chose to do it from the Divide (Te Anau) to the Routeburn Shelter (Queenstown) as I was planning to head back from Te Anau to Queenstown anyway after visiting the Milford Sound, and this direction makes sense for my itinerary.
So, which direction should you hike the Routeburn Track? Take a look at your itinerary: where will you be before and after the Routeburn Track? Choose the direction that makes the most sense.
What to know before hiking the Routeburn Track?
- Book Mountain Huts in Advance: Mountain huts are always in high demand during the Great Walk season, so you should book the mountain huts as soon as you can. During the Great Walk season, bookings are required, and if you arrive without a valid booking you may be charged a penalty or turned away if the hut or campsite is full.
- Book your Transfers in Advance: You will also have to book your transfer from Te Anau to the Divide and, more importantly, from Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown in advance in order to ensure that you have a way to and from both ends of the Routeburn Track.
- Transfer Your Other Luggage Ahead: If you are doing the Routeburn Track as part of a bigger trip to New Zealand, you will be happy to know that Tracknet also provides a backpack transfer service where you can transport things you do not need for the hike ahead from Te Anau to Queenstown, and you can then pick them up at the Info & Track Office in town 3 days later.
- Check the Weather Forecast: The weather changes rapidly around Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. You could experience rain, snow, strong winds, and sun within a span of 3 days. Check the latest DOC track alerts and weather forecast before setting out, and always listen to the ranger's advice at the huts.
- Study the Route: Before you hike, make sure you study the route carefully so that you will know what to expect. Here is the official Routeburn Track brochure with all the information you need for the hike.
The Routeburn Track 3-days Itinerary
Day 1: Te Anau to the Key Summit to Lake MacKenzie
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Given that you have organized your mountain huts and transfers in advance, make your way to the Tracknet departure point in Te Anau. When I hiked the Routeburn Track, my shuttle left at 7:15 AM. For the 2026/27 Great Walk season, Tracknet Office currently lists Te Anau to The Divide departures at 7:45 AM, 10:15 AM, and 1:25 PM, so check your booking carefully before setting out. If you are transferring luggage ahead to Queenstown, arrange that with the operator in advance as well.
The shuttle bus should take you to The Divide, where the Routeburn Track begins. But before that, it will stop at the Mirror Lakes for you to take some photos before dropping you off at the Divide parking lot.
Right off the bat, the Routeburn Track will begin to climb up on the side of a mountain for around an hour, where you will reach our first attraction of the Routeburn Track, the Key Summit.
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri (7 hours)
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau (9 hours)
The Key Summit is a beautiful alpine wetland where you can walk along the wooden walkway to appreciate the beauty of Key Summit and the panoramic view over Fiordland mountains and alpine lakes.
You can spend around 30 minutes and rest at Key Summit to immerse yourself in the beautiful Mother Nature before you make your way down the same way. The next section of the trail will take you through some stunning mossy forest straight out of a fairy tale.
As you navigate through the beech forest, you will arrive at Lake Howden. When I hiked the Routeburn Track, Lake Howden Hut was still standing here and I stopped for lunch before continuing toward Lake MacKenzie. The hut was destroyed by a landslide during the February 2020 storms and has since been removed, but the track still passes Lake Howden.
On your way to Lake MacKenzie, you will stumble upon the impressive 174 m high Earland Falls, marking the halfway point between the Divide and Lake MacKenzie, our next stop.
The trail will gradually ascend into the Orchard, an open grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, and up to the beautiful Lake MacKenzie and the first mountain hut where you will spend your first night.
The sunset is especially beautiful at Lake MacKenzie, so be sure to come out during the golden hours and snap some photos. Unfortunately, it was rather cloudy when I was there, so I was unable to see anything. Nevertheless, the lake is pretty at any time of the day and under any type of weather.
Your first night sleeping in a mountain hut will take some time to get used to, as everyone gathers around in the dining area for warmth. And when it's time for bed, you will be sleeping with all the hikers there in the same room. Earplugs are essential for a good night's sleep in mountain huts like these.
Day 2: Lake MacKenzie to Harris Saddle to Routeburn Falls Hut
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Duration: 5 hours
Start your second day as early as you can. Have breakfast and check the latest trail conditions and weather information from the ranger. If DOC closes a section because of snow, avalanche risk, flooding, or other hazards, follow the closure and be prepared to turn back or change your plans. Even during the Great Walk season, snow and severe weather can occur, and avalanche risk can extend into December.
Your second day on the Routeburn Track begins with a walk out of the mossy forest and a steep ascent up to the saddle before the trail hugs along the side of a mountain.
The first part was rather difficult, especially when you have to do it first thing in the morning. But once you reach the saddle, the trail becomes much easier as it continues along the side of the mountain.
For this section, you will be able to see the exposed Hollyford Face with the expansive views of the Darran Mountains. Unfortunately, I was unable to see any of that as you can see, we were hit by a snowstorm that day.
The morning began rather nicely with a little snowfall, and as the ranger told us it was okay to hike, we went for it. However, the weather got worse and worse from then on. By the time we reached the Darran Mountain's trail section, I was completely soaked, and my backpack was covered in snow.
We were later told that the freak weather would have closed down the trail if they had known it would be this heavy. The visibility was pretty bad for us, but thankfully, the trail is pretty wide and the signs are quite clear, so we had no trouble navigating the Routeburn Track that day.
After hiking the Routeburn Track on your second day for about 3 hours, you will arrive at the Harris Saddle, the highest point of the Routeburn Track at 1,255 meters above sea level. There, you will find a bare mountain hut where you can shelter from the wind.
As we arrived on the saddle, we were completely soaked to our bones, and the wind did not let up. So, we spent a few minutes sheltering in the hut before we continued on.
From Harris Saddle, the track descends toward the Routeburn Falls Hut. During the Great Walk season, the hut has heating with fuel available, along with bunks, mattresses, toilets, cold running water, solar lighting, and basic cooking facilities.
The Routeburn Falls Hut is pretty much the same as the one at Lake MacKenzie, but a little larger. Here, you will be ushered into a shared room where you can sleep on bunk beds with your own sleep bag. The second and last night sleeping in a mountain hut should be a little easier for you now that you are used to it.
Day 3: Routeburn Falls Hut to Routeburn Shelter
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Duration: 3 hours
The third day on the Routeburn Track is a simple stroll down a 3-hour trail that descends through another beech forest. Keep your eyes open and try to spot all the waterfalls around the area. There are quite a few that are worth seeing.
Since it had been snowing heavily on me the day before, I decided to backtrack my way through thick snow, and boy, was it worth it. The snowfall from the previous day made the mountains around the Routeburn Track even more stunning than they were the day before.
As you continue down the trail through the beech forest, it should open up, and you will be able to see the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Humboldt Mountains and the golden grassland with a river running through it.
It should take you around 1 hour of descending down the mountain before you arrive at the Routeburn Flats Hut, where you can take a break and enjoy the stunning view of the golden plain of grass that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Since the Tracknet bus wouldn't arrive until 2 PM at the Routeburn Shelter, you can take it slow from here on and truly appreciate where you are at the moment.
Surrounded by beautiful snowy mountains, raging rivers, and golden grass flats, it is hard not to think about just how lucky you are to be able to see such beautiful nature up close.
Continue down the mountain and you will arrive at the Routeburn Shelter in about 1.5 hours. Congratulations, you have completed the 3-day hike along the Routeburn Track, one of the best Great Walks in New Zealand.
The shuttle should pick you up around 2 PM, and you will be chartered to Queenstown in about an hour, where your belongings are waiting for you at the Info & Track Office in town.
Where to Stay in Te Anau?
Where to Stay in Queenstown?
Where to Stay on the Routeburn Track?
As mentioned earlier, if you want to hike the Routeburn Track, you will need to book the mountain huts or campsites in advance. Otherwise, you won't be allowed inside the hut if you have not paid for it.
Since we will be spending 2 nights at the Routeburn Track, you will have to book the Lake MacKenzie Hut and the Routeburn Falls Hut. Alternatively, if you have your own camping gear, you can book a campsite instead, which is way cheaper.
For the 2026/27 Great Walk season, Lake Mackenzie Hut and Routeburn Falls Hut cost 132 NZD per night for international adults and 88 NZD per night for New Zealand adults. Lake Mackenzie Campsite costs 42 NZD per night for international adults and 28 NZD for New Zealand adults. There is no campsite at Routeburn Falls, so if you want to camp both nights you will need to plan a different overnight pattern using Lake Mackenzie and Routeburn Flats campsites.
If you book a mountain hut, you will still need to bring your own sleeping bag. The huts provide bunks and mattresses in communal sleeping areas, as well as heating, toilets, cold running water, solar-powered lighting, and basic cooking facilities during the Great Walk season. They do not provide food, cooking utensils, showers, or bedding.
During the Great Walk season, the huts provide basic cooking facilities with fuel, but you still need to carry your own food, pots, utensils, and everything else you need for cooking. Outside the Great Walk season, gas is not provided, so you will need to bring your own stove and fuel.
To book the mountain huts and campsites along the Routeburn Track, click the link below:
Book Routeburn Track Mountain Huts
When to Hike the Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn Track operates as a Great Walk from 1 November to 30 April, when huts and campsites have their full seasonal facilities and DOC manages hazards such as avalanche risk. This is the best period for most hikers to complete the full track.
In my opinion, the earlier you hike the trail during the Great Walk season, the better, as you will have more options on dates to choose from when the mountain huts and campsites are still available. They get booked out extremely fast, so make sure you plan ahead.
You can hike outside of the Great Walk season (May to October), but you will have to be fit, experienced, and well-equipped as the trail can be covered in snowfall, and the facilities' capabilities along the trail are greatly reduced.
Outside the Great Walk season, the huts remain available on a first-come basis at reduced rates, but facilities are greatly reduced and there are no resident rangers. Gas is not provided, some bridges are removed, and snow, ice, flooding, sub-zero temperatures, and avalanche terrain make the full track a serious alpine undertaking. DOC recommends attempting it only if you have the appropriate alpine skills, equipment, and experience.
How to Get to the Routeburn Track?
If you decide to start at The Divide, the Routeburn Track will begin in Te Anau, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand. In order to get there, you will have to get yourself to Auckland, Christchurch, or Queenstown, the main travel hubs in New Zealand.
From the US, there are no direct flights to Queenstown, Auckland, or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines. From there, you will have to transit through their headquarters to reach Auckland or Christchurch before continuing on to Queenstown. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.
From Asia, there are several airlines offering various routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you to Auckland and Christchurch, where you can then catch a flight to Queenstown. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are great options to travel this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Te Anau
By Air: Queenstown is the closest city to Te Anau and it has an airport that you can fly into. Jetstar and Air New Zealand often fly from Auckland to Queenstown around 7 times a day. The journey should take around 2 hours and cost around 67 USD. You can book your flight here.
Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.
Getting from Christchurch to Te Anau
By Air: From Christchurch, you can also fly to Queenstown, which is recommended over taking the bus as it will be cheaper and much faster.
Air New Zealand flies this route directly three times a day. It will take about 1 hour 15 minutes and cost $95. You can book your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.
Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take a bus to Te Anau following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau" section.
Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau
By Bus: Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can travel to Te Anau by buses operated by Tracknet. They have three buses leaving from The Station Bus Stop at 6:55 AM, 10:35 AM, and 4:35 PM every day.
The bus journey from Queenstown to Te Anau will take around 2.5 hours and cost 49 NZD per person. You can book the bus to Te Anau here.
By Car: If you are looking for a more flexible way to travel to Te Anau, you can also rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drive there in about 2 hours. Rental prices vary significantly by season and vehicle type. To compare current rates, use the link below:
Getting from Te Anau to the Routeburn Track to Queenstown
By Tracknet Bus: Tracknet runs between Te Anau and The Divide, where this version of the Routeburn Track begins. For the 2026/27 Great Walk season, buses currently leave Te Anau at 7:45 AM, 10:15 AM, and 1:25 PM.
When I hiked the track, the Te Anau to The Divide transfer cost me around 47 NZD and took about 1.5 hours. Fares can change, so check the current price when booking. I recommend taking the earliest practical departure so you have plenty of daylight on the trail.
Tracknet also runs from Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown at 9:45 AM and 2:15 PM during the 2026/27 Great Walk season. You will need to arrange this transfer in advance because the two trailheads are separated by roughly 325 km of road.
When I did this hike, I paid around 45 NZD for the Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown transfer and planned my final day around the 2:15 PM pickup. Check the current fare and timetable for your dates before finalizing your hut bookings, and avoid choosing a pickup that would require hiking before there is enough daylight to walk safely.
By Hitchhiking: You could also hitchhike, as you will find many cars traveling the road between Te Anau and the Milford Sound. However, from the Routeburn Shelter, there won't be any cars to hitchhike, so you will still need shuttle service.
Shuttle operators and schedules can change between seasons, so confirm your Routeburn Shelter pickup before beginning the track. Tracknet currently publishes Routeburn Track connections for the Great Walk season at the link below.
Book Routeburn Track Shuttle Buses
How Much Does It Cost To Hike the Routeburn Track?
With all the transfers and mountain huts to book for three days, we can calculate roughly how much you will be spending hiking the Routeburn Track as follows:
Accommodation: For an international adult hiking during the 2026/27 Great Walk season, two nights at Lake Mackenzie Hut and Routeburn Falls Hut cost 264 NZD in total. New Zealand adults pay 176 NZD for the same two nights.
Food: You need to carry all of your food for the 3-day hike. I would budget roughly 50 - 70 NZD for simple supermarket meals and snacks, depending on what you buy.
Transportation: When I hiked the Routeburn Track, my Te Anau to The Divide and Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown transfers cost around 93 NZD in total. Shuttle fares may have changed since then, so check the current price when booking both ends of the track.
Activities: There is no separate fee to hike the Routeburn Track itself, so 0 NZD for activities beyond your accommodation and transport.
Total Budget for 3 days hiking the Routeburn Track: 410 - 430 NZD.
Is the Routeburn Track Safe?
The weather around the Fjordland National Park can be quite hazardous, so it is always a good idea to check the weather forecast before you embark on a hike.
During the Great Walk season, DOC rangers at the huts can provide information about track conditions and the weather. Listen to their advice and obey any track closures, but remember that conditions can still change rapidly after you leave the hut.
I experienced three completely different conditions on the Routeburn Track: overcast skies, a snowstorm, and sunshine, all within three days. The track is well marked, but that does not remove the risks from severe weather, flooding, snow, ice, steep drop-offs, or avalanche terrain. There is no cellphone coverage on the track, and DOC recommends carrying a distress beacon.
Like with most hikes in New Zealand, you will need to exercise caution before you embark on your hikes, such as preparing your gear for every type of weather you can imagine, and always be willing to turn back if things get hairy.
What to Pack for the Routeburn Track?
- Sturdy Shoes: The trail can get very rocky at times and can be slippery if it rained the day before, so be sure your shoes can handle that. This Timberland Shoe is my go-to hiking boot in most situations.
- Sleeping Bags: The mountain huts do not provide anything else except shelters, so you will have to prepare your own sleeping bag and pillow for the hike. Get ones that can handle subzero temperatures, such as this sleeping bag, as it can get very cold at night.
- Water bottles: You will be walking 4-5 hours a day, so I recommend getting at least 2-3 liters of water for the hike. You can use the bottle to refill it with tap water at the mountain huts. I always carry my 2-liter hydration pack which I recommend so you can stay hydrated without stopping.
- Layers: The weather changes alarmingly fast up there, so having layers where you can switch in and out very quickly is important. Here are the jackets I recommend you get for the trip: fleece jacket, the beautiful orange Columbia outer-shell jacket, wool gloves, and wool beanie.
- Waterproof Pants: The weather changes a lot along the trail, and there will likely be some snow when you hike. Therefore, it is recommended to have good waterproof/snowproof pants to wear over your hiking pants.
- Food and snacks: You cannot buy any food anywhere along the trail, so be sure you prepare enough food for 3 days before you embark on the journey. Also, buy a lot of energy bars just in case you get hungry along the way. If you wish to heat your food, bring a gas stove as well.
- Foldable Knife: If you want to cook your own food at the mountain huts, you will need a foldable knife to do so.
- Foldable Knife: If you want to cook your own food at the mountain huts, you will need a foldable knife to do so.
- Power Bank: Pack a power bank with a capacity of at least 20,000 mAh to last you for 3 days, so you do not have to compete with others for power outlets. I recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for the hike.
- Headlamps: There are no lights at the campground and at the mountain huts at night, so be sure to bring a headlamp with spare batteries.
- A Backpack: You will need a backpack to carry all your gear with you, as well as the food, pillows, and sleeping bag. I often use the Osprey Atmos AG 65 Backpack to carry everything with me on most hikes I do, and I have nothing but praise for this backpack.
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14 Comments
Well done Ash, thanks for the write-up.
What time of year did you do this?
Early November :)
Such an amazing trip. But I just wonder how could you guys won't lost without any guides in that 3 days ? Was trail always available ?
Thank you! If i remember correctly, the ways are clearly marked and the path are very straight forward. No intersection or anything. :)
Thank you, that's great :D. Hope to get there asap :D.
awesome
Thank you!
What a great track and wonderful photos! I'm just wondering how did you guys manage to do this track on your own? I hear that, unless you go on a guided walk, you have to carry your luggage, food, sleep bag and every thing (+15 kg) with you, which is a burden. You'll also have to book the huts! As far as I know, these are usually get fully booked some months in advance due to limited availability, while you seem to have booked them only some days earlier!!
Definitely worth the effort. Stunning trail all around. Yes, you have to carry food, sleep bag but it's only 2 nights 3 days trip. We simply bring everything we needed for those days and shipped everything to the destination (Queenstown). There's a service in Te Anau that allows you to that.
My bag is definitely less than 10kg. For, food if you don't want to carry a stove and other cooking gears, you can just buy something that's cooked and pack them in your bag.
hahahaha oh this is so great and beautiful! :) I am so glad we were able to tramp together! thank you for creating this <3 much love xoxox