Routeburn: Divide to Conical Hill

The yin to Conical Hill and Return's yang - a great way to see the other half of the Routeburn Track, without the logistical faff of running it point-to-point.

From the Divide Carpark, there's only 500m of relatively flat to warm up before kicking into the first climb of the day. At 2.5km you'll reach a junction with the option to take a short side trip up to Key Summit (918m) with a nature loop and views of Lake Marian, but otherwise stay left and crack on. You could also save Key Summit for the return leg, assuming there is anything left in yours.

Being a Great Walk, the Routeburn track is obvious and easy to follow, but still packs a reasonable amount of technical rocky and rooty trail, mixed in with stretches of nice, easy running. Any junctions are clearly marked with the classic DOC signboards, and orange triangles or poles are dotted along the way.

Much of the early route is bush-clad as you pass Lake Howden, Earland Falls and the 'Orchard,' before descending to Lake MacKenzie (and the hut, should you need facilities).

From Lake MacKenzie the track climbs steadily to clear the bushline, with stunning views back over the lake and the range behind it. It then turns to the north to sidle along the Hollyford Face with dramatic views across the Hollyford Valley and Darran Mountains, before a small climb up to Harris Saddle.

Once at the saddle, the track to Conical Hill is tucked behind the shelter - a steep 1km push that features some stairs and some scrappy technical track.

This is the high point of the route, and a perfect chance to refuel while you soak in the 360-degree views!

Once you've had enough, retrace your steps down Conical Hill and back on to the main Routeburn track. Now it's back to the Divide as fast or as slow as you like - there are still plenty of great views to enjoy, or you can open up a little on the net downhill (noting that there are a still a few small climbs to keep you honest).

If you've been fortunate to enjoy good weather, a quick dunk under the Earland Falls on your way past will do wonders to revive the legs for the last 6.5 km back to the car