ROUTEBURN-CAPLES TRACK

Mountains, lush forests, alpine lakes and the gorgeous Caples valley

The Routeburn track is truly spectacular, however nearby the western end of the track lies another popular circuit, the Greenstone-Caples track. Combining the Routeburn and Caples removes the need for a long shuttle bus back to Queenstown and allows an extended trip venturing through spectacular and lesser travelled mountain valleys plus an additional mountain pass. An exceptional option for those looking for something more challenging or less complicated logistically.

Summary

Time to complete

3-5 Days

Accommodation style

Back-country hut OR Camping

Track type

One way (Shuttles required)

Distance

54km

Difficulty

Easy-Medium

Bookings required

Yes, except May-Oct

Highlights

Stunning beech tree forests
Cross over the Harris saddle, an alpine pass at almost 1300m elevation
Spend the night at some of Aotearoa’s best equipped huts and/or campsites
Cross a second saddle, the stunning McKeller saddle
Exceptional alpine valley walking alongside the Caples River
Some excellent sidetrips with options for all levels of expertise

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Track info

Trip Guide

Gallery

All about the trail

The Routeburn Track is the second most popular ‘Great Walk’ hiking trail in Aotearoa after the Milford track and it really deserves its popularity. The track is typically walked from east to west, beginning a short drive from the small town Glenorchy and finishing on the highway between Te Anau and Milford Sound. The Greenstone-Caples is another popular multi-day hiking option in the area offering similar terrain to the Routeburn, although I have to be honest the alpine crossing on the Greenstone-Caples isn’t quite as dramatic as that found on the Routeburn track.

As I mention in my guide for the Routeburn Track, the trails here are true crowd pleasers. Beautiful forests, extensive river flats, the famous Routeburn river with its stunning blue water, two alpine crossings, mossy cloud forest and a collection of stunning lakes along the way. All with an ever changing and impressive backdrop of the southern alps. There is also a decent amount of birdlife due to the extensive network of predator traps. The Caples track continues this theme, with it’s own unique charm. It was nice to see the crowds dissipate and have the trails almost to ourselves after leaving the Routeburn Track sections.

Track condition
-Very good condition with easy hiking most of the track.
-Between Harris saddle and Lake Mackenzie the path does get a little rocky but is generally easy to walk
-The trails of the Caples Track tend to be of similar quality to Routeburn

Optionals
-Walk up the Connical Hill side track for a great 360 degree view of the area
-Key Summit is another great side track to take for some excellent 360 degree views of the area

Getting there

The track is a one way track and so track transport needs to be arranged to and from the trail in advance. Rather than ending at the Divide Shelter as the standard Routeburn track does, this trail instead finishes about a half hour drive from the Routeburn Shelter.

Trail start location: Routeburn Shelter

Trail finiah location: Greenstone/Caples Carpark

Sleep

-Huts:

The huts are reasonably modern with great facilities. Flush toilets on the Routeburn Huts and cleaning equipment for dishes etc provided inside with wood burners for cold nights.

-Camping:

Only possible in the designated camping areas.

-Booking:

Bookings required for both huts and campsites.

-Back-country hut pass:

Cannot be used during the great walks season, however can be outside of the great walk season (May-Oct).

What To Take

As with the rest of the southern alps, the weather here is very unpredictable given its geographic location. Therefore even with a favourable forecast, plan for things to deteriorate just in case. Wet weather gear and warm layers are a.must all year round.

Summer | Example packing list

Spring + Autnum | Example packing list

Winter Hiking

Alpine gear required for the pass towards the end of may and onwards. Crampons and Ice axes need to be taken and check in at the visitor centre to determine any additional precautions.

Website And Other Links

Department of conservation website | Fiordland National Park Weather

Elevation Profile

Trip Guide

Day 1 | Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie Hut

21.1km | 7-10 Hour

1.5-2.5hr | Routeburn Flats
The first day takes you up alongside the Routeburn river as it climbs up the valley, crossing the river a coupletimes. It is fairly easy going until Routeburn flats is reached in around 1.5-2.5 hours.

1-1.5hr | Routeburn Falls
From here the steep climb towards the Routeburn falls hut

2-3hr | Harris Saddle Shelter
From Routeburn falls hut, you quickly get above the tree line and enter a large valley which feels like a set from the Lord of the Rings movie. Continue up a lot of stairs and moderate inclines until you reach the Harria saddle, the highest point on the track.

2.5-3hr | Lake Mackenzie hut
After the saddle, the track flattens out and the mountain range above the Hollyford Valley is traversed towards Lake Mackenzie. There is a steep descent through a marvellous cloud forest right before reaching Lake Mackenzie.

Optional
-If you want to break this day up to make it shorter, you will need to stop at Routeburn Falls Hut or Routeburn Flats Hut.
-The side trip up Conical Hill adds a bit of elevation but is well worth it if you have the energy!

Day 2 | Lake Mackenzie Hut to

21.5km | 7.5-9.5 Hours

2.5-3hr | Picnic spot at Lake Howden
The track continues with a gentle gradient downhill for the first part of the day. You’ll come across the impressive Earland Falls about 2/3 of the way to the picnic spot. The picnic is a nice clearing next to a lake with tables and toilets. A former hut (Howden Hut) once stood here but was destroyed in a recent storm by a landslide.

2.5-3.5hr | McKellar Saddle
After the picnic spot the track is generally flat with small undulations until the turn off to McKellar is met. Cross the bridge over the stream and make your way up the well formed track towards McKellar Saddle. It’s a relatively steep but straightforward climb to the saddle, with boardwalks over the swampy areas.

2.5-3hr | Upper Caples Hut (Bookings required)
After the saddle, the track follows gentle to moderate gradients downhill as it descends into the Caples Valley. You will eventually be walking fairly close to the river. The turn off to Upper Caples hut is not marked officially, however the path was quite obvious. It’s very close to the Steele Creek turnoff.

Optional
-To make this day smaller, consider spending an extra night at Greenstone Saddle Campsite (very basic with drop toilet, ~4-5.45 hours, on route) or Mckellar Hut (Fairly modern serviced hut, no bookings needed, 5.5-6 hours, however this is a 1 hour detour each way from the main route)
-Mid-Caples hut is another potential place to spend the night, which could be ideal if you spend the previous night at McKellar Hut.

Day 3 | Upper Caples Hut to Greenstone Carpark

16.5km | 4-5 Hours

2-2.5hr | Mid Caples Hut
The track continues through the forest and eventually progressing into open clearings in the Caples Valley. It’s a welcome sight after being in the forest so long. Soon you will see the modern Mid Caples Hut in the distance which is a great spot for a break.

2-2.5hr | Greenstone Carpark
From here it’s a relatively flat walk out of the valley with a short uphill section towards the end to get to the carpark.