Day Walks Te Anau - Key Summit Day Walk

EXPERIENCE FIORDLAND

Key Summit Day Walk

Don’t have time to do the full Routeburn Track, or, just after a half-day walk when staying in Te Anau? Well then Key Summit may be just what you’re looking for!

History of Key Summit

Did you know that the Key Summit was carved out during the ice age some 14,000 years ago by a large glacier that flowed down Hollyford Valley?

However, it was only many, many years later that the Routeburn Track was even discovered and then subsequently used by the Māori looking for greenstone sources in Fiordland. They would then trade their jade, kiwi and kakapo feathers with coastal settlers in exchange for muttonbirds, weaponry and everyday tools needed for tasks like felling trees, hollowing out waka’s (canoes) and constructing houses.

The first Europeans to the Key Summit, however, were George Gunn and David Mckellar in 1861. Wealthy Southland land prospectors looking for pastures they could lease out for farming, but subsequently decided it was too wooded for this purpose.

Now today it’s an ever increasingly popular short walk for tourists, often staying in Te Anau, venturing to the Fiordland region.

Why is it called ‘Key Summit’?

Because it is key to 3 watersheds connecting to 3 oceans. What that means is a drop of rain could land up in any of those 3 oceans!

If the rain drop heads south, it would flow into Lake Fergus, Lake Gunn, Eglington river, passing through Lake Te Anau to Lake Manapouri through the Waiau River to Te Waewae Bay and finally the Southern Ocean.
If the raindrop heads north it would land up in the Hollyford River, venturing into the Lake McKerrow and finally landing up in the Tasman Sea on the West Coast and
Then if raindrop’s were to head east it would go into the Caples River then via Lake Wakatipu and the Clutha River system landing up in the Pacific Ocean at Balclutha.

What can I see on the Key Summit Walk?

Well for a start – spectacular views of Fiordland National Park! If you park at The Divide carpark, you walk for around an hour on the Routeburn Track and then you take a turn and climb for around 20 minutes to Key Summit where you get amazing views of both the Humboldt and Darran Mountains.

You will see typical native Fiordland bushland such as silver beech forest, alpine bogs and small high-country lakes which New Zealanders’ call ‘tarns’.

You will also be spoilt for birdlife, often spotting, tomtits, robins, bellbirds and New Zealand wood pigeons – which are huge!

How long does it take to hike the Key Summit?

The track is 3.4 km one way, and you return via the same track so in total 6.8 km. You can expect that it will take around 3 hours to do.

What is the elevation of the Key Summit?

The Department of Conservation grade the track as an ‘Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track’ suitable for people with limited backcountry experience where the track is predominantly well formed but can be rough, muddy or steep in patches.

Where to start Key Summit Track?

The walk begins at The Divide which is around 85km along the Milford Road from Te Anau so you will need a car or you can organise track transport

What walking kit would you recommend?

The Department of Conservation suggest light tramping/hiking boots and we also recommend hats, sunscreen, appropriate weather clothing (ie jumpers/jackets/raincoat) and water.

Cost?

It is free to walk Key Summit.

Need a place to stay in Te Anau near the Key Summit Track?

Why not stay at luxury High Leys Lodge which is based just outside of Te Anau enroute to Milford Sound, which is the direction you need to go in to get to The Divide to do your walk. If you have any further questions, your helpful hosts, Sarah and John will gladly assist.

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