Tracks
Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area
Five Passes
Track
• 6 – 7 days. Medium/hard. Loop track.
A classic trip starting and finishing at the Routeburn road.
The five passes are; Sugarloaf pass, Park pass, Cow saddle, Fiery col, Fohn saddle. There are tracks in parts of the Rock Burn and B...
Milford Track
Track
• 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.
The Milford Track is an alpine journey through Fiordland National Park, and New Zealand's most renowned walking track, visited by approximately 6 500 walkers during the Summer Season each year. Alm...
Rockburn - Lake Nerine - North Routeburn
Track
• 3 – 5 days. Medium. Loop track.
A slightly shorter option to the 5 passes trip but of similar if not more difficulty. Can be done in 3 days but I would recommend longer to allow for possible bad weather or just to make it a bit m...
Routeburn Track
Track
• 2 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.
An internationally renowned and popular alpine crossing between Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu.
Hollyford Track
Track
• 4 days. Medium. One way.
The Hollyford Track is a classic lowland Fiordland route from the Hollyford Road out to the coast at Martins Bay.
Rees-Dart Track
Track
• 3 – 4 days. Medium/hard. Loop track.
Alpine circuit along two river valleys at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Welcome Flat
Track
• 2 days. Easy/medium. Return by the same track.
A frosty West Coast valley leading to good hot pools and magnificent mountain scenery on part of the Copland Track.
French Ridge
Track
• 2 – 4 days. Medium. Return via same track.
A steep climb to the snowline in the West Matukituki.
Ball Pass
Track
• 2 – 3 days. Hard. One way.
A challenging crossing of the Kirikirikatata / Mount Cook Range between the Hooker and Tasman Glaciers just 5km south of Aoraki.
Greenstone / Caples Tracks
Track
• 4 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.
The Greenstone and Caples Tracks are often linked together to form a circuit from the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Long valleys and good huts.
Greenstone Track
Track
• 2 – 3 days. Easy. One way.
A famous, easy track along red tussock river flats.
Ball Shelter
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Easy/medium. Return via same track.
Follow the old Ball Hut Road from the Blue Lakes car park along the moraine wall of the Tasman Glacier near Aoraki / Mount Cook. Although this track approaches Mount Cook, the peak is never visible.
Copland Track
Track
• 3 days. Hard. One way.
Classic mountaineering route between Mount Cook and the West Coast. See Welcome Flat.
Key Summit
Track
• Easy. Return via same track.
Short, easy walk at the start of the Routeburn Track to a low summit. Panoramic views of the Greenstone, Hollyford, and Eglinton Valleys, and the snowy Darran, Ailsa, and Livingstone Ranges.
Falls Creek
Track
• 1 – 2 days. Medium. Return by the same track.
Day or overnight trip to a choice of two rock bivvies off the Milford Road.
Roberts Point Track
Track
• 1 day. Medium. Return by the same track.
Crossing the Waiho River at Douglas Bridge, this tracks leads up the valley true right to a viewpoint overlooking the Franz Josef Glacier.
Pakihi Walk
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
A short climb to a viewpoint overlooking Ōkārito Lagoon, with mountainous views inland.
Lake Wombat
Track
• Easy. Return by the same track.
Short walk to a kettle lake near Franz Josef Glacier.
Track grades
- Easy
- Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
- Easy-medium
- Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
- Medium
- Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
- Medium-hard
- Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
- Hard
- Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.