Key Summit Track : One Of The Fiordland’s Best Day Walks

Key Summit Track, which offers breathtaking views of Fiordland National Park’s dramatic peaks, brilliant lakes, and lush valleys is a short, but challenging day trek. One that should not be missed if you’re visiting Milford Sound or hiking the Routeburn Track, which Key Summit is an optional trek on. Taking only 2-3 hours, it’s the perfect addition to a variety of options in this stunning area. This post covers Key Summit Track, how to get here, and what to expect.

Key Summit Track

Key Summit Track is located at the Divide Shelter and car park, which is one of many stunning treasures on the drive between Te Anau and Milford Sound. You can do this as a side trip when visiting Milford Sound (I hiked it after my cruise), or hike it as an optional part of the Routeburn Track.

The trail is 4.8 miles (7.7 km) round trip with 1,384’ (421 m) of elevation gain. The expected time to hike is 3 hours, but if you’re in good shape, you can do it in less and still have time to enjoy the panorama of the dramatic Humboldt and Darren mountain ranges of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

Start Of Key Summit Track

The trail starts at the western end of the Routeburn Track, which is one of New Zealand’s 10 “Great Walks”. It’s located about a 40-minute drive from Milford Sound and about an hour drive from Te Anau.

The sign at the start of the trail states that the trail is 3 hours with return for the Key Summit Alpine Walk and 4 hours to the Lake Mackenzie Hut on the Routeburn Track (one way).

Key Summit Track Beech Forest

The trail starts along a gravel path through a fern-filled beech forest. As the trail starts to ascend, you’ll see many tree limbs covered with moss crossing above the trail. Some places look like they’re right out of a fairy tale.

The track is in good condition, with some wet and muddy areas if there had been a lot of rain. After about 45 minutes to an hour, you come to the point where Key Summit Track turns off the Routeburn Track and heads up and out of the forest to the summit.

Switchbacks Of Key Summit Track

Not long after the trail separates from the Routeburn Track, the trail becomes much steeper with many switchbacks up.

As you head up and out of the forest, make sure to stop and look behind you as the view of the Hollyford Valley, which was carved by ancient glaciers, becomes more and more breathtaking with each switchback. Especially if you’re blessed with a clear day.

Key Summit Track Summit

When you reach the summit, you’ll see the sign for the Alpine Summit Trail that loops around the top of the summit to a lookout over the dramatic peaks of Mount Christine, Mount Crosscut, and Marian Lake.

There are several boarded walkways to protect the fragile fauna on the summit (so remember to please stay on them). As you walk, you’ll pass several small lakes or bogs.

Near the lake above, look for the large, embossed metal plate in the rocks nearby. It provides the details of the sounding mountain peaks and valleys. It includes details of the Humboldt, Darran Mountains, Earl Mountains, and Aisla Mountains, along with various peaks, ranges, valleys, lakes and creeks.

The trail ends at the lookout point for Lake Marian. Honestly though, I could not see the lake. I think maybe the greenery of the trees in the area have grown to cover the view. The view of Mount Christina and the surrounding peaks, however, was still spectacular.

There’s a sign here at the lookout here that says provides some history of this area:

“Step back in time between ten and fifteen thousand years and you would have been standing under 500 m of ice!
A giant glacier, whose birthplace was high in the Darran Mountains (above Homer Tunnel) split into three at The Divide. The main river of ice continued down the Hollyford Valley to the sea, but glacial tributaries flowed over Key Summit and down the Eglington and Greenstone Valleys.”

I suspect that the division of this glacier is how The Divide got its name.

The Descent

As you head back down the trail, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in more of the panoramic views of the Hollyford Valley.

You also have more time to marvel at all the moss in the forest. I even noticed this little waterfall in the forest that I did not see on the way up.

When the trail merges with the Routeburn Track again, you can decide if you want to go back to The Divide car park, or continue along the Routeburn Track, which ends at the Routeburn car park.

Some highlights on the Routeburn that are not too far include Lake Howden, Earland Falls, and Lake Mackenzie, in that order (also in that order in photos below).

I would need to make a guess on timing, but I think if you go all the way to Lake Mackenzie from where Key Summit Track meets the Routeburn Track it’s about 2-3 hours, then another 3-4 back to the Divide car park.

Of course there much more on the Routeburn Track beyind this. For a full overview, see my post on the Hiking The Routeburn Track. The full trail spans 20 miles (32 km) through lush forests and pristine alpine meadows of the Southern Alps. Most people hike this trail in 3 to 4 days, staying at huts or campsites which are managed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

If you’re starting from The Divide, Key Summit Track will be the first optional track here and if you’re hiking from the Routeburn Shelter on the east side of the track, Key Summit will be the last optional trail before the car park.

What To Wear/Bring

It’s best to wear good quality hiking shoes, but the trail terrain is well groomed. It’s also good to bring a good rain jacket in case the weather changes, which happens here frequently. Trekking poles are also helpful for the downward hike.

Of course, make sure you have enough water and any snacks you want for the trail. There are benches at the lookout point at the end of the track if you want to sit and enjoy the view. If the day is sunny, make sure you have sunscreen and a hat.

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Where To Stay

The best places to stay when visiting this area are Te Anau and Milford Sound. You can also stay in Queenstown, but it’s a 3-4 hour drive away, depending on traffic.

Te Anau

Te Anau is an ideal place to stay while visiting Milford Sound. Key Summit Track is about 51 miles (83 km), about an hour drive, from Te Anau.

Budget

• I stayed at Te Anau LakeView Holiday Park & Motels. This is a great place for solo travelers, families, and those looking for a place to camp of park their camper. There’s a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. The staff is also very friendly and helpful.
• Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers sits across from the lake and is a 5-minute walk to town. They offer dorms and private rooms, some with lake views. They also have a movie room, a BBQ, and laundry facilities.

Affordable

• Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments sits on the lake a short walk from town. They offer studies and apartments with lake and Mountain View’s, as well as disability access rooms.
• Lakefront Lodge sits right on the lake, a 5-minute walk to town. They offer Studios and Apartments with kitchenettes, a shared BBQ, laundry facilities and rooms with partial lake views.

Moderate

• Radfords On The Lake also sits on the lake and offers studios and suites with mountain and lake views a 3-minute walk to town. They also offer disability access rooms.

Milford Sound

There is minimal lodging in Milford Sound so book very early if you want to stay here! Key Summit is about 21 miles (34 km) from Milford Sound, which is about a 40-minute drive. Because of its magnificent location, accommodation here is definitely a splurge.

• Milford Sound Lodge offers rooms, suites, and chalets with Mountain View’s. It’s a 3-minute drive or 30-minute walk to Milford Sound.
• Another option is Milford Sound Overnight Cruise – Fiordland Discovery, a scenic overnight boat cruise around Milford Sound. You can enjoy a soak in the on-board hot tub, or relax in your private heated cabin. Continental or cooked breakfasts and a 3-course dinner are provided. They also offer additional activities, like kayaking and tender-boat excursions.

Want More Of New Zealand?

For other great hikes in New Zealand, see my posts on Routeburn Track, Tongariro Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Cape Brett Walkway, and a Day Hike On Kepler Track. Routeburn, Tongariro, Kepler, and Abel Tasman are 4 of New Zealand’s 10 “Great Walks”.

If you’re on the South Island, you can’t miss stunning Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. It also has some great hikes with Ben Lomond Track and Queenstown Hill Walkway.

You also can’t miss mesmerizing Milford Sound. It’s best to self drive here an explore all the side detours along the way from Queenstown to Te Anau and Te Anau To Milford Sound, then stay in Te Anau a few days to see all it has to offer.

Further north, there Josef Glacier, where you can do a heli-hike on a glacier and Wānaka, which is a less touristic version of Queenstown.

For wine lovers, stop in Marlborough to taste some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. There are many great wineries to stop at and enjoy great food and wine. Many also now offer beer as well.

To help plan your trip, see my New Zealand Travel Guide. It covers the top destinations above, how to get around, when to visit, safety tips, and more.

Safe Travels!

Julie