| Section 5: Truth Routeburn Flats - Routeburn Shelter Key Points: Routeburn Flats (Junction). 25.0km. 700m Sappers Pass. 28.0km. 650m Bridal Veil Falls Track (Junction) 29.5km. 580m Sugarloaf Track (Junction). 30.5km. 500m Routeburn Shelter. 31.5km. 480m |  |
Mark Watson would likely describe the Routeburn Classic as 25km of hope, 7km of truth. This is the home stretch, and if you manage your intensity for the first 25km, this section will be a breeze.
The track is soft under foot, slightly downhill and follows the Route Burn through beech forest that in places appears to be growing in nothing more than a thin layer of moss.
The track is soft under foot, slightly downhill and follows the Route Burn through beech forest that in places appears to be growing in nothing more than a thin layer of moss.
Piwakawaka (fantail) and toutouwai (South Island Robin) abound along the length of the Route Burn (river). In maori mythology the piwakawaka is seen as the harbinger of death and bad news, so if you find yourself being accompanied by a fantail, then let it serve as encouragement to look within.
The countdown is really on once you get to the toilet at Sappers Pass. It is a shade under four kilometres from here to the finish line at Routeburn Shelter. Two kilometres from Bridal Veil Falls Track and one kilometre from Sugarloaf Track.
As you emerge from the bush, there is one final rise, that will feel like a mountain, to get to the finish line for a sweaty hug and your well deserved Routeburn Classic medal.
The countdown is really on once you get to the toilet at Sappers Pass. It is a shade under four kilometres from here to the finish line at Routeburn Shelter. Two kilometres from Bridal Veil Falls Track and one kilometre from Sugarloaf Track.
As you emerge from the bush, there is one final rise, that will feel like a mountain, to get to the finish line for a sweaty hug and your well deserved Routeburn Classic medal.
