The Routeburn Track is found in Fiordland, New Zealand. This world-renowned tramping track usually starts on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, and finishes on the Te Anau, at the Divide, several kilometres from the Homer Tunnel The Routeburn Track was named one of the top eleven trails in the world by the National Geographic Adventure Magazine in May 2005. Fiordland is a region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island. ... Many beautiful natural scenes are only accessible if one is willing to hike to get to them. ... Panorama of the view from the Remarkables back toward Frankton airport (Queenstown airport) with Queenstown beyond. ... The Southern Alps is a mountain range which runs along the western side of the South Island of New Zealand. ... Northern end. ... The Homer Tunnel is a road tunnel in Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand linking Milford Sound to Te Anau and Queenstown. ... The National Geographic Society was founded in the USA on January 27, 1888, by 33 men interested in organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. ...

The track is on the border between the Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, and crosses Harris Saddle. This area gets much less rain than the Milford Sound, and the forests are very different, especially on the eastern side of the saddle, where there are a lot of large pines and other trees, and relatively few ferns. The track spends a long time on the high ridges around Harris Saddle, with great long distance views in many directions. Panorama of Milford Sound showing Bowen Falls in full flow on the far right. ...

Access to the Routeburn Track is not as tightly controlled as the Milford. Camping is allowed, though both huts and camping spaces must be booked in advance. There is a surcharge for non-ticket holders. There is a choice of which direction you go, and which huts to stay in. On the western side, everyone stays at the MacKenzie Hut, which is enormous, but on the eastern side, you can stay at the Falls Hut or Flats Hut. The Falls Hut is more popular, since staying there breaks up the climb to the saddle better, especially coming from the east. Camping is not allowed at Falls Hut, however.

Much of the Routeburn Track is also accessible to day hikers, especially Key Summit on the western end, the site of a popular viewpoint and nature walk not far from the roadway.

External Links

• New Zealand Department of Conservation information on the Routeburn Track