Thousands of new, ⦠3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages. The Key Summit track via the Routeburn Track was my favorite of the ones we did on the South Island. Key Summit Track Description The first part of the walk was in the bush, under a beautiful canopy of trees, ferns, and with the small waterfalls tumbling along the sides of banks youâre walking alongside. From here, the track climbs steadily to the Key Summit Track turnoff. 3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages. The path itself is well-maintained and has a definite but manageable and steady uphill rise. Moderate switchbacks lead uphill, first through forest and then through open country with views that extend down the Hollyford Valley. One thing we noticed was even quite late in the day people were just starting up (after 4PM) for what is a good 3-4 hour return walk, so, perhaps a later visit gives better chances of a view? At the top there there is flat ground to sit and eat, but no tables and chairs. The Key Summit Track is located on the the drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau or Queenstown. After completing the summit nature loop, head back down the way you came. Key Summit â Lake Marian Lookout Loop from Routeburn Track is an intermediate Hiking Tour. The climb to Key Summit begins at The Divide trailhead, and starts on the Routeburn Track heading toward the Lake Howden and Lake Mackenzie Huts. It is a steady incline, but never too steep. Key Summit The most popular side trip in terms of numbers as this track to the left (or right if approaching from the carpark) is a day walk accessible from The Divide. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/routeburn-track-key-summit-track/. Also, as in most places in NZ, dress in layers, as the amount of exposure and wind changes considerably over the course of the trek. We did this hike on the way out to Milford Sound and it took about 2.5 hours round-trip from the car-park. We are making our way far South on the South Island to Milford Sound. Not that tough. You walk about ~40min in birch forest, then turn right up to expose trek to Key Summit, which is another ~20min. What was tough for me was on how to dress for trek in 10-11. Walkers then head gradually downhill through silver beech forest to the divide on Milford Road. Deg Cel, yet knowing we will sweat when sun’s out to play. turn off to Key Summit. Fairly easy walk with stunning views from the top, We did this hike on the way out to Milford Sound and it took about 2.5 hours round-trip from the car-park. Ascend through lush forest and into a unique alpine herb field offering panoramic views, this walk offers an incredible day out in the heart of New Zealandâs Southern Alps. The hike itself is not that interesting (though we did see a kaka chewing on a branch on the way. It takes about 40-60 minutes one way to get to summit and I would grade it as easy walk comparing with Lake Marian track. The track is well, graded and passes through pleasant forest with limited views. If the mountains are clouded in, you wll be walking through a cloud and see nothing. They mistook Lake McKerrow for the coast. I chose Routeburn x Key Summit Track as it seems to fit our needs in time for a relaxing day trek that is not too easy nor tough. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Key Summit Track heads uphill from a signed intersection on the Routeburn Track. the Key Summit branch, often surrounded by the packs dumped by those doing the 3 day walk, who add this diversion to the trail before returning to the main trek. Its position at the intersection of multiple major valley systems gives Key Summit commanding views of several of Fiordland's spectacular mountain ranges. While most of the great walks of New Zealand are multi-day affairs, the Key Summit hike can be easily accomplished during part or all of a day, and is located on the first section of the Routeburn Track. Key Summit Track: 5/5 really - See 44 traveller reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Key Summit is an outstanding easy excursion from the Milford Road or a quick side-trip from the Routeburn Track. Starts with steady elevation gained walking under lush tree canopy and includes a ⦠The track is well Key Summit Track: Stunning views from the top - See 44 traveler reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. 3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages. Some more photos from Fiordland in New Zealand The track continues and then ends to become an unmarked route along the Livingstone Mountains eventually leading down a spur to McKellar Hut on the Greenstone Track. After about 30 minutes (2.5km) on the Routeburn youâll branch off for a switchbacked ascent up to Key Summitâs head-swiveling viewpoint. These interesting short and overnight walks are great options for getting outdoors with children. A sign marks the turn off to Key Summit Track. A light fog in the valley below us and some residual clouds meant that we couldn't see the full and brilliant view, but what we were able to see was nonetheless gorgeous. 3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages. Please take care and stay on the path -- the native vegetation grows in a unique soil environment and must be protected and preserved. It's about 4-5 miles in total ~ 2 hours and while steep in some places not a hard hike and rewarding with magnificent views, Key Summit is a great introduction to walking in Fjordland - it's just over an hour's drive from Te Anau, there's plenty of parking, toilets, and the walk is well sign-posted. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following todayâs track. Track is well signed and there is no way to get lost there. The popularity of ⦠A self guided alpine nature walk passes a range of native vegetation: beech forest, sub-alpine shrublands, alpine tarns and bogs. The first part of the walk follows the Routeburn Track, and a sign marks the. Note: Near the summit, the park services have laid down a wooden walkway and path, but we could see spaces where visitors had walked off the path for pictures and left shoeprints in the mud or trodden on the local flora. Wow, this is bang for your buck in terms of the ratio of views to climb. The turnaround point is the Lake Marian Viewpoint, where you can just see Lake Marian perched in a high hanging valley in the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley. From here there's another 15 minutes to the lookout, for the classic instagram views though at least this section is mostly a circuit with some interesting pools.
Key Summit is the first major landmark on the famous Routeburn Track - a DoC Great Walk which traverses Harris Saddle on its way to Lake Wakatipu. Key Summit is located at the southern end of the Routeburn Track in the heart of the Fiordland mountains. It said 3hr for return but we took <2hr for return. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following todayâs track. The half day trek within Fiordland National Park was challenging enough for us that we used our hiking sticks, and we were rewarded with spectacular views. Key Summit Track: Great hike, fantastic views - See 44 traveler reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Tour departs from Te Anau, with a drive along the Milford Road to the track. The smooth track heads uphill via a series of moderate switchbacks. The first part of the walk is on the Routeburn Track. Until this diversion, and for a short time after, the trail is a gently sloping uphill walk under a canopy of trees. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. From The Divide carpark follow the Routeburn Track for about an hour to get to to Key Summit Track. It’s definitely worth doing the nature trail loop as well. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as ⦠The route meanders on the high summit ridge, past beautiful tarns and with many outstanding viewpoints. Near the top of the climb the trail forks as part of a worthwhile nature loop. The track ⦠Park your car at Divide car park to start part of the Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then to Key Summit Track. Park your car at Divide car park to start part of the Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then to Key Summit Track. Key Summit is an outstanding easy excursion from the Milford Road or a quick side-trip from the Routeburn Track. After a gradual climb a signed intersection points the way to the Key Summit Track, which veers above the Routeburn. The climb to Key Summit begins at The ⦠From here it is a 20 minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen. Key Summit and View of Lake Marian via Routeburn Track [CLOSED] is a 4.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Glenorchy, Otago, New Zealand that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The climb to Key Summit begins at The Divide trailhead, and starts on the Routeburn Track heading toward the Lake Howden and Lake Mackenzie Huts. Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox, Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track, Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. The content on this page was created by Routeburn Track, Key Summit Guided Walk - Trips & Tramps. On the way here you will pass Mirror Lakes and Cascade Creek, which are lovely easy stops right next to the highway, or, do as we did, and head a bit further down the road to Milford then take the Hollyford Track turn off for the short walk across the swing bridge to the falls, 10 along the Marian Lake Track. They dropped us off and picked us up again but as it is a linear walk - there and back - you can pa, 3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and it’s constant uphill walk thus it’s suitable for of all ages. This walk offers spectacular views of Fiordland National Park. The rain had mostly stopped and the storm clouds were lifting, and we watched the shadows of the cloud clusters fall on the trees and mountains as they were blown away by the brisk wind. Park your car at Divide car park to start part of the Routeburn, Milford Road The Divide, State Highway 94 , Fiordland National Park, Milford, Auckland New Zealand, Key Summit is an outstanding easy excursion from the Milford Road or a quick side-trip from the Routeburn Track. Hotels near (AKL) Auckland Intl Airport; Hotels near (ZQN) Frankton Airport; All things to do in Milford; Things to do near Key Summit Track. During the last ice age, which ended about 14,000 years ago, a huge glacier flowed down the Hollyford Valley and overtopped Key Summit by 500 m, with ice branches splitting off into the Eglinton and Greenstone Valleys. The path itself is well-maintained and has a definite but manageable and steady uphill rise. However there is a pit toilet. It is an amazing day walk, combining stunning ⦠Can recommend this tramping route if you have just one day! 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