After completing the summit nature loop, head back down the way you came. If the mountains are clouded in, you wll be walking through a cloud and see nothing. 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. Please take care and stay on the path -- the native vegetation grows in a unique soil environment and must be protected and preserved. If you’re looking for the ultimate hike close to Milford Sound you should head straight for Key Summit. Starts with steady elevation gained walking under lush tree canopy and includes a … 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. 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. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen. It is a steady incline, but never too steep. the Key Summit branch, often surrounded by the packs dumped by those doing the 3 day walk, who add this diversion to the trail before returning to the main trek. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. They mistook Lake McKerrow for the coast. The Key Summit Track heads uphill from a signed intersection on the Routeburn Track. We also did the Routeburn trail from the other side of the mountain, but it takes a lot longer to get up to alpine views. When we first arrived it was a total whiteout, and we headed back down, only to see the clouds start to break up under a strong wind, so we turned around and headed back up and finally got decent views.

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. It is an amazing day walk, combining stunning … 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. On the way here you will pass Mirror Lakes and Cascade Creek, which are lovely easy stops right next to the highway, or, do as we did, and head a bit further down the road to Milford then take the Hollyford Track turn off for the short walk across the swing bridge to the falls, 10 along the Marian Lake Track. 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. If you're into mountain tops and long valleys, this is a pretty good view, but if not, there are many better walks, so, check the weather and pick your day carefully. Wow, this is bang for your buck in terms of the ratio of views to climb. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following today’s track. The half day trek within Fiordland National Park was challenging enough for us that we used our hiking sticks, and we were rewarded with spectacular views. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as … This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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