Routeburn Track: Lake Howden Track
A forested Routeburn Track day walk from The Divide to Lake Howden, with mountain and valley views along the approach.
Route overview
Routeburn Track: Lake Howden Track in Fiordland, South Island / Te Waipounamu.
From The Divide, the track climbs through silver beech forest to the Key Summit junction and then descends toward Lake Howden. The objective provides a quieter taste of the Routeburn corridor without an overnight stay. The former hut was permanently closed after severe storm damage, so the lake must be treated strictly as a day-walk turnaround rather than a shelter destination.
Trail facts
- Country
- New Zealand / Aotearoa
- Region
- Fiordland, South Island / Te Waipounamu
- Distance
- 3.4 km return
- Typical duration
- about 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation gain
- not officially quantified
- Best season
- Great Walks season for normal track expectations; winter only for parties with relevant alpine skills
- Trail type
- out-and-back
Safety context
Do not plan around access to Lake Howden Hut. Carry all emergency equipment needed for the return to The Divide. Snow, ice and avalanche conditions can affect the Routeburn outside the Great Walks season, and poor weather can make an apparently straightforward forest route much more serious. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Do not plan around access to Lake Howden Hut. Carry all emergency equipment needed for the return to The Divide. Snow, ice and avalanche conditions can affect the Routeburn outside the Great Walks season, and poor weather can make an apparently straightforward forest route much more serious.
Highlights
`new-zealand`, `fiordland`, `lake-howden`, `routeburn-track`, `intermediate`, `beech-forest`, `day-walk`, `the-divide
Why find a buddy
Useful for partners building intermediate tramping endurance. Agree that Lake Howden is the turnaround and do not extend onto the multi-day Routeburn without a separate plan, equipment and accommodation logic.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.