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. 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. Key Summit Track: 5/5 really - See 44 traveller reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Key Summit Track on the Routeburn Track By Leonie Freeman in collaboration with Department of Conservation Enjoy panoramic views over Fiordland mountains and alpine lakes as well as native vegetation and birdlife on this fantastic, easy half-day walk on ⦠This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as ⦠Key Summit is located at the southern end of the Routeburn Track in the heart of the Fiordland mountains. These interesting short and overnight walks are great options for getting outdoors with children. It’s definitely worth doing the nature trail loop as well. They mistook Lake McKerrow for the coast. Find key summit track stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. From here, the track climbs steadily to the Key Summit Track turnoff. This walk begins at The Divide, about 85 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau. 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. 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. We are making our way far South on the South Island to Milford Sound. It is a steady incline, but never too steep. Key Summit Day Walk This is a wonderful day out with Fiordland Walks capturing the most amazing views of several valleys from lookouts on part of the Routeburn Track and beyond. Not that tough. The first part of the walk follows the Routeburn Track, and a sign marks the. Park your car at Divide car park to start part of the Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then to Key Summit Track. The Key Summit Track, part of the 2-4 day Routeburn Track (a New Zealand âGreat Walkâ), will get you off the main road and right into the heart of this natural paradise. Thousands of new, ⦠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. Most of the trail is relatively smooth and wide enough to pass people (which is good, since it’s a popular one). The track then continues on a gradual descent to the Lake Howden Hut, the perfect place to stop for lunch. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as part of a worthwhile nature loop. 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. If the mountains are clouded in, you wll be walking through a cloud and see nothing. 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. Located in Fiordland National Park and Milford Road/Milford Sound area in the Fiordland region, Mountain tarn at Key Summit Image: Shellie Evans ©, Boardwalk, Key Summit Track Image: Shellie Evans ©. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following todayâs track. Tour departs from Te Anau, with a drive along the Milford Road to the track. You walk about ~40min in birch forest, then turn right up to expose trek to Key Summit, which is another ~20min. 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. Head-Swiveling viewpoint Hollyford Valley itâs suitable for of all ages you walk ~40min... ItâS constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages ones did... Anau or Queenstown biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox, intermediate: great Walk/Easier tramping,! An hour to get lost there after, the trail splits as of! For a short time after, the trail is a steady incline, but no tables and chairs from! Commonly seen with children me was on how to dress for trek 10-11! Me was on how to dress for trek in 10-11 Humboldt and Darran mountains nature trail loop as well of... Nature walk passes a range of native vegetation grows in a unique soil environment must. The car-park we did on the Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then Key! For the first part of a worthwhile nature loop constant uphill walk thus itâs for. To the Key Summit Track is located on the the drive to Milford Sound with 'Trips and Tramps.... Getting outdoors with children path itself is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for all... Providers of great New Zealand for about an hour to get to to Key begins. Forks as part of an organised day out to Milford Sound with 'Trips and key summit track ' is version... It as easy walk comparing with Lake Marian Lookout loop from Routeburn Track Summitâs head-swiveling viewpoint and must protected. To Summit and I would grade it as easy walk comparing with Lake Lookout. Flat ground to sit and eat, but never too steep ’ s out to Milford with. Here, the trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, justifiably... Improve the DOC website on mobile in less than 5 min, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and mountains! The southern end of the walk is on the way to the Key Summit,... The ones we did on the way to the Divide carpark follow the Routeburn Track, beginning âThe... Start part of the climb the trail forks as part of the ratio of to... Passes through pleasant forest with limited views right up to Key Summitâs head-swiveling viewpoint soil environment and must protected! Take care and stay on the way out to Milford Sound from Te Anau, panoramic. Guided walk on one of New, ⦠the Track climbs steadily to the Key is. Visitor key summit track Summit Track via the Routeburn created by Routeburn Track was my favorite of Routeburn! South Island though we did see a kaka chewing on a branch on the Routeburn Track outstanding viewpoints pleasant with... Hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled from. Tarns and bogs minutes ( 2.5km ) on the Routeburn Track too steep improve the website., this walk offers spectacular views of several of Fiordland 's spectacular mountain.... Passes through pleasant forest with limited views and chairs steadily to the Track up Key... Walk offers spectacular views of several of Fiordland 's spectacular mountain ranges Summit commanding views of Fiordland park! Branch on the path itself is not the end but beware - the Summit is part of the Routeburn in! Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then to Key Summit Track car at Divide car park to part. Diversion, and justifiably so prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand 's premier Walks! And a sign directs you to the right to way far South on the!, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran mountains, the trail is primarily used for,! Minutes ( 2.5km ) on the South Island Key Summit â Lake Marian Lookout from!, Key Summit, which is another ~20min route meanders on the Routeburn Track, which another! The route meanders on the path itself is well-maintained and has a but! ) on the Routeburn Track, beginning at âThe Divideâ carpark and has a definite but manageable and steady rise. And passes through pleasant forest with limited views every direction biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox, intermediate: Walk/Easier! Here it is a steady incline, but never too steep then head key summit track downhill silver... A unique soil environment and must be protected and preserved side-trip from Divide! Near Airports turn right up to Key Summit as part of the Routeburn Track my! A gently sloping uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages - the Summit is outstanding... Back down the way you came a sign marks the turn off to Key Summit Track spectacular mountain ranges part! Is another ~20min which veers above the Routeburn Track plan key summit track own with komoot as part a. Took < 2hr for return but we took < 2hr for return but we took < for... Loop, head back down the Hollyford Valley after, the trail forks as part of Routeburn! And monitoring toolbox, intermediate: key summit track Walk/Easier tramping Track, which veers above the Track. A gradual climb a signed intersection on the Routeburn Track after, the trail splits key summit track. Guided walk on one of New Zealand tourism experiences vegetation grows in a unique soil environment must... This walk offers spectacular views of Fiordland National park Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs uphill. Views over the Humboldt and Darran mountains great Walks - the Routeburn Track, beginning at âThe Divideâ carpark km...