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The first section of the amazing Routeburn Track.


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Map Key

4.3

Miles

7.0

KM

93%

Runnable

2,263' 690 m

High

1,566' 477 m

Low

804' 245 m

Up

118' 36 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Permit required - New Zealand has unique system of simple (mostly) back country huts that typically have wood/coal heating stoves, plastic-covered mattresses, clean water and bunkhouse communal living. Space can be limited and permits are required. Check in the LDOC offices of major towns for permits. Good information can be found here: doc.govt.nz/

Runner Notes

A great even, well-drained trail.

Description

Leaving the parking lot, you get to the first of many suspension bridges. This gives you your first look at the bleached rocks and emerald green waters of the Routeburn River. Immediately, you enter a forest of the large gnarled Southern Beech trees, and you remain in that forest for most of the trail.

On the lower sections of the trail, the forest ground is covered in thick layers of mosses fed by a myriad of small streams. Many of the streams can be heard but not seen because they are obscured by the moss and fallen decaying trees. You steadily gain altitude while skirting the edge of steep mountain sides. Suspension bridges along the way give you good looks at the rocky, water-carved streams that look like a powerful, natural luge track. If the sun is out, the spray from strong waterfalls create rainbows. After a couple of miles, the trail flattens out but stays high in the forest. Soon you get glimpses of the yellow fields of tussock grass, and the trail skirts the edge of a large flat plain. Look for the turn-off to the right for the Flats Hut.

Note:Typically along the way you are accompanied by the Fantail. This adorable bird gets it's name from the way it flashes it's tail like a Japanese fan. They float around like a hummingbird, constantly changing direction to nab the insects you are disturbing.

Flora & Fauna

Southern Beech forests, Kea and Kaka parrots, Bellbird, Grey warbler, South Island Robin, Fantail and Brown creeper, Lancewood plants, Kiwi (you'll hear them but probably not see them), invasive Australian possums.

Contacts

Shared By:

Russell Hobart

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 5 votes

#8554

Overall
  4.4 from 5 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#87

in New Zealand

#8,554

Overall
7 Views Last Month
587 Since Jan 10, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Dart River
Feb 16, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
Snow-covered ferns hug the trail to Flats Hut in winter.
Jan 15, 2017 near Queenstown, NZ
Sunlight peeks through a southern beech canopy on the trail to Flats Hut.
Jan 15, 2017 near Queenstown, NZ
The meandering river and dramatic landscape near Flats Hut makes it worth the trip.
Jan 11, 2017 near Queenstown, NZ
Routeburn Flats
Feb 16, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
Beech trees get pasted with snow in the winter.
Jan 15, 2017 near Queenstown, NZ

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