Fiordland Day Walks and Hikes Transport and Information
Self-guided day walk options in Fiordland National Park provided by Tracknet.
Tracknet provides Transport from Te Anau to the walking track only (subject to weather and track conditions).
Important notice: While on the track you are responsible for your own safety and need to be self sufficient and prepared for the day and bring appropriate clothing, food and footwear for the conditions. You must manage your time to ensure you are in the correct location 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to meet the return bus transport.
Suggestions for what to bring on your self-guided day walk.
You are responsible for your own safety.
- Research the track you intend to walk and collect a map or other information about the section of Track you are walking (From Te Anau Department of Conservation) and current walking timings.
- Wrist watch or other timing device to ensure you do not miss your transport back to Te Anau.
- Waterproof jacket – never venture into Fiordland without it even if it appears to be a nice day.
- Warm clothing – this is a mountainous environment and weather can change quickly. Hat and gloves are the best items to keep those extremities toasty.
- Sunscreen and sunhat – the sun can be fierce and the air is so pure little UV is absorbed.
- Camera – make sure your memory card has plenty of space. You will take far too many photos.
- Lunch and snacks – there’s a great selection of cafes in Te Anau to purchase a tasty bite to eat and also two supermarkets to buy high energy snacks from.
- Water bottle – rivers and streams in Fiordland are good to drink, but you should always be stocked up before you leave.
- Bug spray – yep! You will meet the occasional sandfly or two…...
- Good walking shoes or boots – these should be comfortable and worn in. Parts of the track are uneven and trainers often don’t provide the ankle support needed.
- Day pack to carry your gear –this should be comfortable and waterproof or lined with plastic bags to keep everything dry.
Key Summit - Divide Routeburn Track
Availability information provided by Traveldrift
Tracknet provides the bus transport to and from the Divide (Routeburn Track).
TRANSPORT TIMINGS
9.45am sharp: Bus travels from Te Anau Department of Conservation to The Divide.
3:15pm: Return bus travels from The Divide to Te Anau Department of Conservation.
Travellers will arrive at the Divide approx. 1 hour after departure time, allowing up to 4 hours of self-guided walking time.
WALKING THE ROUTEBURN
The initial stages of the Routeburn Track has a 400 metre accent through beech forest and continues to rise above the tree-line, arriving on the tussock clad tops of Key Summit to an alpine world of unique vegetation, tarns and 360 degree views. The Key Summit section of the track is a popular Alpine Tarn high in the Fiordland Mountains.
At Key Summit, snowy peaks, the vast forested Valleys and perfect Alpine gardens are all rewards for your efforts. There is a self guided alpine nature walk which showcases a range of native vegetation: beech forest, sub-alpine shrublands, alpine tarns and bogs. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, wood pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen.
The name Key Summit is derived from the fact the mountain lies at the source of three watersheds leading to three oceans - The Southern Ocean via the Eglinton and Waiau Rivers, the Tasman Sea via the Hollyford River and the Pacific Ocean via the Greenstone and the Clutha Rivers.
Subject to walking timings, you may also have time to visit Howden Hut and Lake Howden on your journey.
WALKING INFORMATION
Medium level of fitness is recommended – the hike is up a mountain.
The Routeburn Track from the Divide to Key Summit is a well formed hiking track; however walkers should still be aware of roots, streams and other obstacles.
Divide to Key Summit: 3-4 hours return
Divide to Howden Hut and Lake Howden: 3-4 hours return
Please note: The Routeburn Track is a remote location. There are no shops and no cellphone coverage.
