Home»Nous Sommes New Zealand 2015»Remarkable Routeburn

Day #1 featured a scenic bus ride from Te Anau to The Divide, past a rainbow that just wouldn't quit. We then hiked up and past Key Summit, lunching in the hut at Lake Howden. Then a climb leading past the foot of Earland Falls, in a downpour, water spewing from everywhere. Then a smooth descent through The Orchard, and on into Lake Mackenzie Lodge. Day #2 afforded wonderful views of glacial Lake Mackenzie as we climbed above the far side, and then walked a long track on the wind-and-rain-beaten Hollyford Face of the range. Lunch in the Harris Saddle hut, then over the pass, past Lake Harris, and a treacherous descent through cascading streams and slippery rocks, toward picturesque Routeburn Falls Lodge. Day #3 descends through dense red beech to the Alpine valley floor, then picks up the raging Routeburn River. It's all beech forest and white water, strewn with boulders from the cliffs above. Finally, a Nature Walk that leads to the last bridge, and beyond it the bus to civilization -- Glenorchy, for a beer.