Stunning Routeburn!
Contrasting beautiful blue colour of Route Burn River on Routeburn Track with beech forest, Mt. Aspiring NP, Central Otago, New Zealand
Routeburn Track is one of the most beautiful hikes in New Zealand and I reckon also in the World. It is also one of 9 Great Walks in New Zealand, spanning across 2 national parks – Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland.
The scenery of this hike is just jaw dropping. Usually walked from Queenstown side to Milford Road, it takes between 2-4 days to complete this 32km long and well formed track.
Crystal clear waters of the Route Burn running through beautiful beech forest shortly after the start near the head of Lake Wakatipu makes for brilliant photo opportunities. The track continues climbing gently toward the Routeburn Flat and further to Routeburn Falls Hut. From here the track is completely in the stunning alpine environment and continues to climb to Harris Saddle before leaving Mt. Aspiring NP and entering Fiordland.
But we’ll go there next week…
In the meantime, enjoy this photograph of the Route Burn which I took when in awe over the clarity of its cold, blue waters. The shiny “silvery”rocks contrasting with juicy green mosses and beech forest just took my breath away and I was lucky enough to have a bit of an overcast day helping me to maintain enough detail in the forest shadows as well as in the Route Burn.
…still on the Hollyford!
Looking into Hollyford Valley with sunset at Martins Bay on Hollyford Track - Fiordland NP, Southland, New Zealand
Back on track through the glacial U-shaped Hollyford Valley… After 4 days of hiking through the ancient rainforest of northern parts of Fiordland NP, Martins Bay is reached.
This place is just magic…it’s all yours here as you share the place only with NZ Fur Seals and rare Fiordland Crested Penguins, to whom this is their home.
I spend on the Holyford Track 12 days and I have met only 1 other person during this time (after 4 days of hiking) – its absolute “soul washing” and healing experience in solitude!
But Martins Bay also has an exciting past – Due to its location and over 100 years back, Martins Bay seemed very compelling and suitable to establish one of the gateways into the Southland. There was an attempt to colonize this area where ships and boats would be able to enter deeper into the Hollyford Valley following Hollyford river and Lake McKerrow. The harsh conditions of this rough environment however proved the vision not so great as thought and the plans for development were abandoned.
And I reckon it was a great decision so this area can continue to be one of the jewels of Fiordland where one can only be privileged to watch the sunset do its magic!
Hiking the Hollyford!
Sunset over Lake Alabaster on Hollyford Track - Fiordland NP, Southland, New Zealand
One of my favourite tramps is Hollyford Track. It’s quite a while since I walked it (2002) but the memories are just as fresh as if I was there yesterday. This multiple days trip through the rainforest into total wilderness can be made into sort of a loop but it would be very hard and demanding adventure coming back through the Pyke River. It’s around 4 days to hike to Martins Bay from the road end therefore for most people this trip ends after reaching the Tasman Sea. However, there are several options how to get there. One can hitch the ride on a jet boat and follow rivers and lakes most of the way up to the Martins Bay and walk back or vise versa. The plane flight can also be arranged and doing the same, walking in or out. But for some, it can be just an adventure for 10-12 days (depending on how many days you want to spend at Martins Bay) of walking in and out using just your legs. And this was my case.
One of the many nights is spend at Lake Alabaster. This is absolutely beautiful, remote place with plenty of solitude on offer. Lake lies in the northern part of Fiordland National Park and is around 6km long. Camping just beside the hut with lake views similar to the one I’m posting here is something not to be forgotten, ever.
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