From here, the track climbs steadily to the Key Summit Track turnoff. Starts with steady elevation gained walking under lush tree canopy and includes a … The first part of the walk is on the Routeburn Track. You walk about ~40min in birch forest, then turn right up to expose trek to Key Summit, which is another ~20min. They mistook Lake McKerrow for the coast. It passes a modest waterfall with some nice forest scenery, but it's when it breaks out of the trees that makes or breaks the walk. In the Fiordland National Park, the Key Summit sits at the beginning of one of New Zealand's Great Walks, The Routeburn Track. Near the top of the climb the trail forks as part of a worthwhile nature loop. 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. After completing the summit nature loop, head back down the way you came. We did this hike on the way out to Milford Sound and it took about 2.5 hours round-trip from the car-park. Track is well signed and there is no way to get lost there. 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 today’s track. This hiking trail, part of which is on the Routeburn Track, has it all, including panoramic mountain views, alpine ponds, pristine forest and small waterfalls. From here it is a 20 minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. Enjoy panoramic views over mountains and alpine lakes on this half-day walk off Milford Road on the Routeburn Track - it's suitable families with children. 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/. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen. This half-day walk to easily accessible off of the Milford Road from the Divide Carpark, one of the access points to the popular backpacking trip. The Key Summit Track heads uphill from a signed intersection on the Routeburn Track. The views from the top are stunning, and at only 3 hours return, this walk isn’t overly demanding. The smooth track heads uphill via a series of moderate switchbacks. Please take care and stay on the path -- the native vegetation grows in a unique soil environment and must be protected and preserved. The Key Summit Track is located on the the drive to Milford Sound from Te Anau or Queenstown. 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. 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. The first part of the walk follows the Routeburn Track, and a sign marks the. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets … more, Discover Milford Sound Information Centre & Cafe, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity. Tour departs from Te Anau, with a drive along the Milford Road to the track. A sign marks the turn off to Key Summit Track. However there is a pit toilet. 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. This walk begins at The Divide, about 85 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau. 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. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as part of a worthwhile nature loop. If you only have time for one walk on your drive to Milford Sound, and the weather is fine, this track is well worth the effort. 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. It is an amazing day walk, combining stunning … Most of the trail is relatively smooth and wide enough to pass people (which is good, since it’s a popular one). 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. 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 Zealand’s Southern Alps. 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. Hotels near Key Summit Track; Hotels near Milford Foreshore Walk; Hotels near Milford Beach Reserve; Near Airports. turn off to Key Summit. As the trail emerges from the forest, there are outstanding views down the Hollyford Valley as a taste of the more expansive views to come.

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. On a good day you will get spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and mountains, but on a day of low cloud, as ours started out, you get nothing. Experience a full-day guided walk on one of New Zealand's premier Great Walks - the Routeburn track, including Key Summit. 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. At the top there there is flat ground to sit and eat, but no tables and chairs. We are making our way far South on the South Island to Milford Sound. Perfect day trek. It was an excellent stop to break up our car trip and stretch our legs, and would probably be suitable for kids over the age of five or six if you were willing to take it slowly and could bring plenty of snacks. 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