Do you know that it’s attainable to finish a Routeburn Monitor day hike from Glenorchy? Learn this information on learn how to a big part of one in all New Zealand’s finest hikes in a day.
The Routeburn Monitor is one in all New Zealand’s Nice walks and one of the crucial common on the South Island. In the event you don’t have time to finish your complete 32 KM hike, then it’s attainable to nonetheless get via part of it on a full-day in-and-out hike.
Following this information, it’s additionally attainable to summit Conical Hill and take a look at one of the crucial scenic alpine huts in New Zealand earlier than descending again all the way down to Glenorchy.
The right way to get to the Routeburn Monitor
Relying on which facet you wish to begin the observe, you can both head to Glenorchy, which is about an hour’s drive from Queenstown, or head to the Divide Shelter, on Milford Street, 85KM from Te Anau.
On this fast information, I’ll element my expertise climbing a big part of the Routeburn observe in someday from Glenorchy. In the event you’re all in favour of studying an in depth information for your complete journey, you could find out extra data on the DOC web site or at Bucketlistly.weblog.
Routeburn Monitor Day Hike Begin Level: Glenorchy
The start line is the Routeburn Shelter, positioned close to Glenorchy, a small farming city 65KM from Queenstown that deserves a go to in itself.
When you attain the city, you’ll have to comply with Glenorchy-Paradise Street, earlier than turning left onto Glenorchy-Routeburn Street and eventually turning proper onto Routeburn Street, a well-maintained and accessible gravel street.
For comfort, I’ve pinned the precise location of the Routeburn day hike begin level on the map beneath.
When you attain the shelter, you’ll be able to park your automobile, refill your water bottle and start the hike.
Routeburn Monitor Map and Sources
For up-to-date data on observe closures, hut costs and extra, you’ll be able to go to the DOC web site. I’d additionally advocate downloading this brochure to assist with extra data.
Under I’ve included a map of your complete Routeburn observe.
Routeburn Day Hike Route
For this day-trip hike, I’ve instructed beginning at Routeburn Shelter, passing Routeburn Flats Hut and the Routeburn Falls Hut, Lake Harris and summiting Conical Hill earlier than turning again to Routeburn Shelter.
It is a pretty lengthy day hike that took me about 8 hours in complete for the return journey together with some transient stops.
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What to Anticipate
As with all of New Zealand’s Nice Walks, the Routeburn Monitor may be very well-maintained and completely beautiful. I’d advocate anyone visiting New Zealand to at the very least try one if they’ve the time.
Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut
Complete time: 1.5 hours
The primary stretch of the path enters thick rainforest and crosses a number of picturesque suspension bridges. This observe winds via some spectacular landscapes alongside the crystal-clear Routeburn river.
After a number of kilometer’s, we broke out beside a large tussock valley often known as Routeburn Flats. There’s each a hut and a campsite right here, with operating water and a rest room in case you want it.
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Routeburn Flats Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut
Complete time: 1 hour
Quickly after, the trail diverts again into the treeline the place the lengthy 1-hour ascent begins as much as the Routeburn Falls hut. From right here, we had been blessed with unimaginable views over the Routeburn river and the tussock flats beneath.
When at Routeburn Falls, we had been additionally fortunate sufficient to witness a helicopter touchdown beside the hutments and onto a rocky outcrop simply by the waterfall.
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Routeburn Falls Hut to Harris Saddle Hut
Complete time: 1 hour
After a fast Muesli bar, we had been again on the path and the ascent as much as the best level on the Routeburn Monitor; Harris Saddle.
This part of the observe was my favorite. The path gently ascends a rocky tussock and sections of wetland with surrounding jagged peaks earlier than reaching the unimaginable Lake Harris.
From right here, you’ll even have nice views of Conical Hill.
After taking within the views of the turquoise alpine lake, we continued up the bluff to Harris Saddle. Right here, we discovered what I imagine to be probably the most picturesque alpine hut in New Zealand. This was additionally the end-point on our in-and-out day hike of the Routeburn Monitor. However first, a fast summit of Conical Hill was so as.
Conical Hill Summit
Complete time: 1 hour
The ultimate push of the Routeburn observe day hike – Conical Hill. The summit push took us about one hour. This concerned a little bit of rock scrambling and the slopey sections had been very icy and slippery. In the event you’re making an attempt this off peak-season like we did, I’d advocate crampons and alpine expertise.
The summit supplied glorious views of the hut above the clouds, Lake Harris, the Fjordlands and the Darran Mountains.
Returning to Glenorchy
Complete Time: 3.5- 4 hours
By now, we had been already fairly drained. However, we nonetheless needed to return again to Glenorchy. To get again, we adopted the identical path, which was a lot simpler on the legs because it was largely down hill.
Searching for a day hike nearer to Queenstown? Try the complete put up for Ben Lomond.
Nice Walks Climbing Season
The principle Nice walks Climbing season runs from November to April. Throughout these months, the climate is hotter and the danger of avalanche is decrease.
Though the Routeburn Monitor day hike is technically attainable year-round, it’s vital to test climate situations and avalanche threat, particularly type Could to September.
In the event you’re making an attempt the Conical HIll summit, you’ll have to assess situations and never try it in snowy situations.
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I hope you discovered this information. to climbing the Routeburn Monitor on a day journey. You probably have any questions or strategies, be at liberty to go away a remark beneath. For now, why not try some extra epic New Zealand day-hikes within the record beneath.
