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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -44.80223, 168.14705. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 7.5 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 6 hr
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Milford Road/Milford Sound area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This is a fabulous, easy day walk on the Routeburn Track (a Great Walk), leading to the beautiful Earland Falls with plenty of mountain and valley views along the way.
This DOC directory entry covers **Routeburn Track: Earland Falls Track ** in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Milford Road/Milford Sound area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 7.5 km return via same track
- Walking time: 6 hr
- DOC grade: Intermediate
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Slip on Key Summit Track; First published on 11 January 2026. Last reviewed on 24 July 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This is part of the Routeburn Track (a Great Walk). For information about all sections of the track, see Routeburn Track description.
From The Divide carpark follow the Routeburn Track to Lake Howden (1.5 hours).
From here take the track to Mackenzie Hut – the falls are halfway between Howden and Mackenzie Huts. Clearings give excellent views of the Hollyford Valley.
The Earland Falls are 174 m high and originate from Lake Roberts.
Return the same way back to The Divide.
Getting there
This walk begins at The Divide, about 85 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau (1.5 hours drive).
The walk follows and returns along the Routeburn Track.
Know before you go
Note that to stay on the Routeburn Track, hut bookings are required.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
