Whisky Trail and RouteburnExperienced
Submitted by James Harcombe
Back country - remote
Point to Point (one way)
Very hilly
Native bushRiversideLakesideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Experienced
15:00 (Slow)
11:00 (Moderate)
9:00 (Fast)
-10.7%
+11.9%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
From the Divide, follow the Routeburn Track as far as Howden Hut. Take a right turn at the hut down the Greenstone. About 10k into the run, and just before McKellar Hut, you will cross a bridge, after which the Hut is signposted to the left. At this point, turn right and follow the orange markers up the spur on the fairly obvious track. One of the markers is marked 'to point 1543'. Once above the treeline, continue up the spur, until you reach a flatter boggy area. From here, head to the peak off to the right (marked as pt1543 on the topo map). There is an obvious line between two rock outcrops - be prepared, it is steep!
Once at the top, you will want to stop and take in the awesome views! From here, scramble down the scree on the Northern Slopes, and continue North on the obvious ridge. Eventually, you'll reach the Key Summit Track, and descend onto the Routeburn Track. from here, you can turn left and go back to the Divide if you're doing it as a loop (about 25km's), or turn right, and head along the track to the Routeburn Shelter.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 20%
Technical Single Track: 30%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each
Photos:
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Access
Car park at the Divide off of SH94 - Milford Road
If you want to just do the Whisky Trail, then there's plenty of car parking at the Divide. To add in the Routeburn, you will need to arrange transport with one of the many bus companies, or get Trackhopper to re-locate your car (www.trackhopper.co.nz).
84 km
66 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Hard.
At the flat boggy area on the way to pt1543, navigation would be difficult without line of sight. The route's not recommended in bad weather.
Non-existent.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions).
Plenty of water on the lower sections and the Routeburn Track, however, once on the spur towards pt1543 there is very little water. Along the tops between pt1543 and Key Summit, there are a few alpine tarns if you're desperate!
The Whisky Trail is a fine weather, summer only run. During the Winter, there is significant avalanche hazard and ice. The trail should also be avoided in poor visibility - there have been deaths on the peak in summer.
Avalanche prone, snow and ice after storms. Steep bluffs and cliffs on the side of pt1543
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Post run indulgence
Kinloch Lodge
Kinloch
http://www.kinlochlodge.co.nz
Best selection of beer near Glenorchy! Great coffee and accommodation as well (with a spa for post run indulgence!) -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Kepler Track
Lake Marian Meander
The Routeburn
Milford Track
Caples Track - The Divide Version
South Mavora Lake Trail
Waiau River Loop
Deepest Darkest George
Gobsmacking Gertrude
Henry the Hooligan!
Tour de Milford Haven
Te Anau Foreshore Trail
The Hollyford: Out and Back to Alabaster
Hollyford Road - Routeburn Loop via Deadmans and Pass Creek
Luxmore Hut Return
Routeburn: Divide to Conical Hill
Kiwi Burn Circuit
Boyd Creek Tops & Nature Walk
