Day Hike the Routeburn North Branch

Kinloch, New Zealand

Details

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Maggie Evans

If you don't have time to hike the entire Routeburn Track or if you failed to book it in time but are still keen to see what it's about, then explore the less used track up the pristine Routeburn North Branch as a day trip from Queenstown. And if time permits, head a bit further towards Routeburn Falls Hut for the iconic valley view.

To access the Routeburn North Branch, you start out from the Routeburn Shelter and head along the Routeburn Track towards Routeburn Flats Hut (6.5km). At the hut, cross the wide but shallow North Branch to pick up the poled route on the other side that leads through the last of the Routeburn flats. The track then enters forest and climbs upwards before emerging in the open space of an old slip. You come to a small tarn and then the track wanders onto a long grassy plain that slopes gently to the river on the right. Cairns mark the way from there and it starts to feel like more of a scramble. Eventually the valley floor turns into a mound of boulders and you're left standing with a view of Mount Somnus.

If you have time on your way out, rather than heading back to the carpark from Routeburn Flats Hut, continue along the track towards Routeburn Falls Hut (about 1.5-2km further) until you get the impressive view of the Routeburn Flats that is arguably one of the prettiest views seen along the Routeburn Great Walk.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking
Picnic Area
River
Wildlife

Day Hike the Routeburn North Branch Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Day Hike the Routeburn Track

Day Hike to Harris Saddle (Routeburn Track)

Backpack the Routeburn Track

Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

Valley of the Trolls

Climb Mount Earnslaw, Mount Aspiring National Park