The path itself is well-maintained and has a definite but manageable and steady uphill rise. Thousands of new, … 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. It said 3hr for return but we took <2hr for return. Key Summit is part of the Routeburn Track, which is one of the nine “great walks” of New Zealand. After completing the summit nature loop, head back down the way you came. 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 ©. The views from the top are stunning, and at only 3 hours return, this walk isn’t overly demanding. Moderate 2.5-mile roundtrip hike along the Routeburn Track (one of NZ’s “Great Walks”) - splits near the summit to take the side trail 20 minutes up to Key Summit (sign post at trail fork). The track is well, graded and passes through pleasant forest with limited views. 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? Park your car at Divide car park to start part of the Routeburn Track about 1-1.5hr first then to Key Summit Track. Moderate switchbacks lead uphill, first through forest and then through open country with views that extend down the Hollyford Valley. It is an amazing day walk, combining stunning … 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. If you’re looking for the ultimate hike close to Milford Sound you should head straight for Key Summit. What was tough for me was on how to dress for trek in 10-11. Detailed maps and GPS navigation for the hike: "Key Summit – Lake Marian Lookout Loop from Routeburn Track" 02:38 h 8.02 km. Key Summit – Lake Marian Lookout Loop from Routeburn Track is an intermediate Hiking Tour. 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. At the top, you get sweeping views in almost every direction. Book your tickets online for Key Summit Track, Milford: See 44 reviews, articles, and 54 photos of Key Summit Track, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 7 attractions in Milford. 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. 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. 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. A self guided alpine nature walk passes a range of native vegetation: beech forest, sub-alpine shrublands, alpine tarns and bogs. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as part of a worthwhile nature loop. 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 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. From here it is a 20 minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. We walked up to Key Summit as part of an organised day out to Milford Sound with 'Trips and Tramps'. Until this diversion, and for a short time after, the trail is a gently sloping uphill walk under a canopy of trees. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We are making our way far South on the South Island to Milford Sound. During the last ice age, which ended about 14,000 years ago, a huge glacier flowed down the Hollyford Valley and overtopped Key Summit by 500 m, with ice branches splitting off into the Eglinton and Greenstone Valleys. 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. turn off to Key Summit. 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. As you drive down Highway 94 after entering Fiorland National Park, you will eventually come to a stop called The Divide. However there is a pit toilet. 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. Near the top of the climb, the trail splits as … The first part of the walk is on the Routeburn Track. Moderate switchbacks lead uphill, first through forest and then through open country with views that extend down the Hollyford Valley. The route meanders on the high summit ridge, past beautiful tarns and with many outstanding viewpoints.

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. After about 30 minutes (2.5km) on the Routeburn you’ll branch off for a switchbacked ascent up to Key Summit’s head-swiveling viewpoint. 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 walk offers spectacular views of Fiordland National Park. Key Summit Track: Great hike, fantastic views - See 44 traveler reviews, 54 candid photos, and great deals for Milford, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. 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. 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