A well-known hiking track in New Zealand, the Routeburn Track spans over 32Km. The route offers excellent views of nature including mountain sceneries, valleys, waterfalls and beautiful lakes. If you wish to explore the track leisurely, it can take about 2-3 days but many athletes prefer covering the entire stretch in a single day.
The Routeburn Track crosses two national parks Fiordland and Mount Aspiring and is also a part of the Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The Routeburn Track starts from the Divide or at the Routeburn Shelter.
Day 1
Drive from Queenstown to the Divide. Start the trek with climbing the Key Summit and then descend to the Lake Howden Hut to enjoy lunch. Head to walk around the silver beech forest to reach the Earland Falls. Get views of the Hollyford valley and snow-capped Darran mountains before descending to the Lake Mackenzie lodge.
Day 2
Cross the Hollyford Valley enjoying exclusive views of the Darren mountains and the Tasman sea. After lunch, climb the Conical hill. Walk around Lake Harris and follow the track around the upper basin of the Routeburn valley. Spend the night at the Routeburn Falls lodge.
Day 3
The last day involves a 10Km hike from the Routeburn Falls to the Routeburn road. The trail is scenic and takes visitors through meadows, beautiful lakes and pools. Once you reach the Routeburn road, you can get a coach back to Queenstown.
Good accommodation and dining facilities are available along the Routeburn track. But there are no halal facilities available along the track. You can find some good vegetarian options at the halts along the track.
