_ This great walk in Mount Aspiring National Park is a gradual ascent through 130million year old magical world of ferns, mosses, lichens & beech forest.  Explore forgotten paths of the Maori, as we travel along their old greenstone trails, finding new enchantment around each corner, where native birds abound. This walk is often described as being “far better than the Milford Track”.

A journey to the head of Lake Wakatipu is the ideal preparation for the splendour of the world-famous Routeburn walk.  As you travel northwest on a road that clings to the very edge of the lake, your guide will introduce you to the history and landscape of the region.  From time to time the road rises to superb vantage points where you will enjoy unparalleled panoramas of jagged, snow-capped mountains, rolling alpine farmland and acre upon acre of glorious lake land tussock meadows.

Beyond the charming hamlet of Glenorchy the road crosses the blue ribbons of the Rees and Dart Rivers to reach the dense verdant belt of the Routeburn Valley.

Your walk begins among towering ancient beech, climbing gradually through blankets of forest moss and fern and skirting the thundering Routeburn through the gorge it has carved over the millennia.

Just 2.5 hours walk later the woodland parts to reveal the rich grassland of Routeburn Flats, overlooked on all sides by cloud-scraping mountains, some so high they have permafrost.

The Flats is a pristine site to stop for lunch.   After a delicious Kiwi style picnic lunch we turn and enjoy the valley in reverse, exploring the old paths of the Maori travellers as we travel along their old ‘Greenstone’ trails, finding new enjoyment around each corner.

Native and migratory birds welcome your return to the forest and a plentiful array of species will accompany your journey back to civilization.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Due to the nature of the terrain, altitude and alpine conditions, the duration of this walk is entirely flexible and dependent on fitness levels. You can enjoy anything from a 16km to 23km return journey.  Track condition is excellent and though sturdy footwear is always advised, in fine weather athletic shoes are adequate.  This is an excellent guided option for the winter months also.

MINIMUM NUMBERS: Two persons (adult) or equivalent price
Please see what you'll need for this walk here
and if you have any more questions please see our FAQs or contact us

PRIVATELY GUIDED option is available for a total wilderness experience
All of our Guided Nature Walks are selected for their natural beauty and their difference from each other.  The Routeburn Track is an excellent walk for people interested in variety, lake river valley forests, mountain views, native birds or photography.  There is an option of walking another 1.5hrs to view the entire magnificent valley from the Routeburn Falls.