Routeburn Track
~2 days · 19.6 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Routeburn Track is known for
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's ten Great Walks, a roughly 32 km point-to-point alpine crossing linking Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island. It climbs over the Harris Saddle past Lake Harris and the Routeburn Falls, through beech forest and above the tree line with views toward the Southern Alps and the Hollyford Valley. It is commonly walked over two to three days between the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy and The Divide on the Milford Road.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,604 ft to 4,255 ft over 19.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 7.2 mi · 37%
- Downhill 7.2 mi · 37%
- Flat 5.0 mi · 26%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Routeburn Track?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Routeburn Track scores 35/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: The Great Walk season runs late October to April; outside those months the track becomes an alpine route with avalanche risk, unbridged rivers, and closed facilities.
Permits: During the Great Walk season, advance hut or campsite bookings through the Department of Conservation are required, and they sell out quickly for peak summer dates.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Routeburn Track take?
Most backpackers hike the Routeburn Track in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 19.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Routeburn Track?
The Routeburn Track climbs roughly 6,663 ft total — about 340 ft per mile, topping out near 4,285 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Routeburn Track?
The Great Walk season runs late October to April; outside those months the track becomes an alpine route with avalanche risk, unbridged rivers, and closed facilities.
Do you need a permit for the Routeburn Track?
During the Great Walk season, advance hut or campsite bookings through the Department of Conservation are required, and they sell out quickly for peak summer dates.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.