Routeburn Flats and Harris Saddle

The Routeburn Track is arguably one of New Zealand's most thrilling and rewarding great walks. It encounters stunning alpine lakes, diverse birdlife and challenging terrain including swing bridges and exposed subalpine sections. Most people choose to do the tramp over three days, staying at the Routeburn Falls Hut and Lake Mackenzie Hut. However, depending on fitness levels, there are different day hikes that can be done to explore the Routeburn track without committing to the whole 32 kilometers. Starting from The Routeburn Shelter carpark, near Glenorchy, around 45 minutes from Queenstown, is ideal but there is also the option of starting from The Divide which is around the Te Anau side of Otago. 

Route Description:

Starting from The Routeburn Shelter (there is no signal here), you follow a beautiful forest for around seven kilometers. There are multiple swing bridges that cross over  boulder fields with glacial streams winding down. To the left of the track, a river flows down the valley and you will find a beach area, proving a spot to safely take a swim in the deep turquoise pools. The forest around thickens as the track continues with a slight incline. Eventually you will reach a junction and there is the option to continue five minutes along the valley to the Routeburn Flats hut. Here, there are excellent views of the famous tussock-covered meadow, benches making it a great lunch spot and a intensions book inside the hut.

The other option is to start the big climb up to Routeburn Falls hut and eventually Harris Saddle. The track gets a bit more exciting and technical with steep drop off to the right. The tree line opens a few times which gives amazing views onto the hazy green Routeburn Flats area. After passing the Falls hut, you are finally out of the forest and there is more of a subalpine feel with snow capped peaks coming into view. After another hour or two of climbing you will reach Lake Harris - a small mountain lake near the saddle. The route traverses around the left of the lake before flattening out to meet the Haris Shelter on the saddle. This is the highest point of the whole routeburn at nearly 1300m. From here you can turn around back the way you have come with a nice big downhill. Some people decide to hike/run the route in a single day and carry along the track down to Lake Mackenzie, finishing at The Divide.

This February, I ran the route and car swapped with a friend - an epic day fuelled by pam's pick and mix! A top tip would be to bring a portable charger to listen to music in the car on the long drive back to Queenstown or to book a table in Te Anau for dinner!