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. 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. 3-3.5hrs/3.4km return-easy hike of Key Summit Track is well-maintained and itâs constant uphill walk thus itâs suitable for of all ages. 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. Can recommend this tramping route if you have just one day! 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. We did this hike on the way out to Milford Sound and it took about 2.5 hours round-trip from the car-park. In the Fiordland National Park, the Key Summit sits at the beginning of one of New Zealand's Great Walks, The Routeburn Track. What was tough for me was on how to dress for trek in 10-11. Key Summit is an outstanding easy excursion from the Milford Road or a quick side-trip from the Routeburn Track. Located in Fiordland National Park and Milford Road/Milford Sound area in the Fiordland region They mistook Lake McKerrow for the coast. A self guided alpine nature walk passes a range of native vegetation: beech forest, sub-alpine shrublands, alpine tarns and bogs. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following todayâs track. The Key Summit track via the Routeburn Track was my favorite of the ones we did on the South Island. This walk begins at The Divide, about 85 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau. Find key summit track stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. If youâre looking for the ultimate hike close to Milford Sound you should head straight for Key Summit. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. In 1863, Government employed prospector Patrick Quirk Caples, travelled up from the Dart Valley along a route roughly following todayâs track. Key Summit is located at the southern end of the Routeburn Track in the heart of the Fiordland mountains. Perfect day trek. 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 ⦠From here it is a 20 minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. Track is well signed and there is no way to get lost there. One thing we noticed was even quite late in the day people were just starting up (after 4PM) for what is a good 3-4 hour return walk, so, perhaps a later visit gives better chances of a view? The first half of the walk is on the famed Routeburn Track, beginning at âThe Divideâ carpark. While most of the great walks of New Zealand are multi-day affairs, the Key Summit hike can be easily accomplished during part or all of a day, and is located on the first section of the Routeburn Track. The first part of the walk follows the Routeburn Track, and a sign marks the. If the mountains are clouded in, you wll be walking through a cloud and see nothing. Key Summit provides panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. The smooth track heads uphill via a series of moderate switchbacks.
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. 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. 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. From here, the track climbs steadily to the Key Summit Track turnoff. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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. The path itself is well-maintained and has a definite but manageable and steady uphill rise. There are signs during your drive to Milford Sound so you shouldnât be ⦠Key Summit Track: 5/5 really - See 44 traveller reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. turn off to Key Summit. Moderate switchbacks lead uphill, first through forest and then through open country with views that extend down the Hollyford Valley. Key Summit Track: Great hike, fantastic views - See 44 traveler reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Key Summit Track: Stunning views from the top - See 44 traveler reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Hotels near (AKL) Auckland Intl Airport; Hotels near (ZQN) Frankton Airport; All things to do in Milford; Things to do near Key Summit Track. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets ⦠Hotels near Key Summit Track; Hotels near Milford Foreshore Walk; Hotels near Milford Beach Reserve; Near Airports. At the top there there is flat ground to sit and eat, but no tables and chairs. 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. The route meanders on the high summit ridge, past beautiful tarns and with many outstanding viewpoints. These interesting short and overnight walks are great options for getting outdoors with children. 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. 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. 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 ©. Help us improve the DOC website on mobile in less than 5 min. It’s definitely worth doing the nature trail loop as well. This last section to the summit is a half hour slog of switchbacks which will be not ,much of a test if you're fit, but a hard slog to the casual walker.
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