Conical Hill

Overview

About Conical Hill

A sharp, rocky knob just north of Harris Saddle, Conical Hill (~1,515 m) is the Routeburn Track’s go‑to side trip if you’re chasing a true alpine summit feel without technical climbing. It’s a quick but punchy climb that rewards you with sweeping Fiordland and Southern Alps views.

Why stop

Huge 360° alpine panorama over Lake Harris and the Darrans
Signed spur from Harris Saddle; classic Routeburn side trip
Often quieter than the main Routeburn ridge

Heads up

Short but very steep and rocky; tough on knees
Fully exposed to fast‑changing alpine weather; no facilities on the summit

If you’ve got the legs and the weather cooperates, absolutely. Conical Hill turns a great traverse into a grandstand view—one of the most rewarding add‑ons on the Routeburn.

Parkwolf’s verdictIs It Worth It?

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightConical Hill-44.72608, 168.17010

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Conical Hill

Leave your main pack at Harris Saddle Shelter before the climb.
Start early—afternoon cloud and wind often spoil the views.
Bring layers and a waterproof; weather flips fast on the ridge.
Use trekking poles for the steep, rocky descent.
Skip it if cloud socks in—save energy for the main traverse.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Season: Late October–April (Great Walks season) offers the best chance of clear, snow‑free access.
Time of day: Mornings typically have more stable weather and cleaner views; afternoons are more prone to cloud build‑up.
Crowds: The Routeburn can be busy, but this spur is usually quieter than the main ridge.

Getting There

From Harris Saddle Shelter on the Routeburn Track, follow the marked Conical Hill spur. Most trampers drop their big pack at the shelter before tackling the hill. Expect a steep, rocky path with some loose footing and exposure near the top.

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Fiordland Tour Guide

Your drive to Conical Hill, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Fiordland audio tour

Recorded for this area

Davey Gunn’s Run: Bush Pilots and the Hollyford Airstrip

Listen

“If you see a grass airstrip nearby, you’re looking at a piece of Fiordland history tied to a legendary bushman named Davey Gunn. He opened this valley to trampers back in the 1930s.”

Plays on the road 3.1 km from Conical Hill in the Parkwolf Fiordland Tour Guide.

More about Conical Hill

What You’ll SeeVast 360° views taking in the Darran Mountains, Humboldt Mountains, Lake Harris below, and on a…

Vast 360° views taking in the Darran Mountains, Humboldt Mountains, Lake Harris below, and on a crystal day, distant glints toward Milford Sound and the Tasman Sea.
Classic alpine scenery: jagged peaks, glacially carved valleys, tussock and hardy alpine plants clinging to rock.

Difficulty & SafetyIt’s short but strenuous: steep grades, uneven rock steps, and slippery surfaces in wet, icy,…

It’s short but strenuous: steep grades, uneven rock steps, and slippery surfaces in wet, icy, or snowy conditions. Weather can flip from bluebird to sleet quickly. Start early, watch the clouds, and don’t force it if visibility tanks. Trekking poles help on the descent.

Wildlife & FloraThis high, rocky habitat occasionally turns up alpine specialists like kea and rock wren, and…

This high, rocky habitat occasionally turns up alpine specialists like kea and rock wren, and raptors such as the New Zealand falcon. Around your boots: tussock grasses and mountain daisies in summer pockets.

LogisticsFacilities: None on the spur or summit.

Facilities: None on the spur or summit. The nearest shelter and drop toilets are at Harris Saddle.
Distance/time: Roughly a short, steep there‑and‑back from Harris Saddle (about 2 km return).
Fees: The side trip is free, but Routeburn Track bookings/fees apply in season.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Fiordland

All Fiordland wildlife maps

1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map

199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.