Conical Hill

Overview

Conical Hill is the classic side trip from Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu on the Routeburn Track. It’s short but sharp—about 1.9 km return with roughly 250 m of climb—so expect a sustained grunt. On a clear day, the summit view easily justifies the effort.

What you’ll see

From the top you get a sweeping panorama: Lake Harris right below, the long sweep of the Hollyford Valley, Fiordland’s serrated peaks, and—on crystal days—a line of the Tasman Sea far to the west. It’s the kind of viewpoint that makes a hard decision easy: if the weather is friendly, go.

Getting there

You reach Conical Hill from the Routeburn Track at Harris Saddle. There’s no parking anywhere near the hill; most walkers start from Routeburn Shelter (Glenorchy side) or The Divide (Milford Road) and link transport because the trailheads are far apart by road. The Harris Saddle Shelter (day‑use only) sits at the start of the side track and has toilets.

Difficulty and hazards

This is a short, taxing ascent with rough steps, loose rock, and exposure to wind. Conditions are alpine year‑round—strong winds are common and snow/ice can linger outside midsummer. In poor visibility or high winds, skip the side trip and continue along the main Routeburn.

Landscape in a nutshell

You’re climbing above classic glacial country: a cirque‑held Lake Harris and broad U‑shaped valleys carved by ancient ice. Even a few hundred vertical meters delivers a textbook look at this landscape.

Best time to visit

The most reliable window is Great Walk season (November 1, 2025–April 30, 2026), when services on the Routeburn are fully operating and daylight is long. Aim for late morning to mid‑afternoon for warmer temps and grand west‑facing views; early morning gives gentler light over Lake Harris. It’s never truly crowded, but midday sees the most side‑trip traffic from through‑hikers.

Wildlife

While the summit zone is alpine and sparse, the wider Routeburn area supports New Zealand long‑tailed bats. If you’re overnighting near forested sections of the track, keep an eye (and ear) out at dusk—just don’t expect wildlife action on the rocky summit itself.

Practical tips

Start this spur only if the weather looks stable from the saddle. Bring a windproof layer even in summer, and consider microspikes early or late in the season. The shelter is for day use only—plan hut or campsite bookings elsewhere if you’re doing the full track. Check Department of Conservation alerts and the mountain weather forecast before you commit.