NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿 The Magical Routeburn Track - Hiked In A Storm!

We battled through relentless rain, heavy winds, and freezing mountain conditions… but just when we thought the entire hike would be a washout, the skies cleared. What followed were some of the most breathtaking alpine views I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t cheap, but it turned into an unforgettable adventure.

Just like on the Milford Track, I booked the full experience with Ultimate Hikes, who provide a guided version of the Routeburn complete with warm lodges, hot showers, and hearty meals at the end of each day. It’s a premium way to experience New Zealand’s Great Walks — and when the weather turns bad, it makes all the difference. Even with the stormy start, the trail’s beauty still managed to shine through.

If you're considering hiking the Routeburn Track — or just want to know what it's like to spend $2,000 on a wild adventure in the mountains — this video is for you. Drop a comment if you’d do this hike yourself, rain or shine, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check out my Milford Track video for more epic New Zealand hiking content.

Chapters:
00:00 - 00:50 - What is the Routeburn?
00:51 - 03:47 - Te Anau
03:48 - 14:36 - Easy Day 1
14:37 - 25:05 - The Stormy Pass (Day 2)
25:06 - 28:40 - Downhill Day 3
28:41 - Conclusions

🧳 Need an itinerary for your trip to Thailand?
🧳 These itineraries are perfect for a 2 - 4 week trip!

✅ -- HOW TO FILM video for YouTube
✅ -- HOW TO EDIT video for YouTube
✅ -- HOW TO UPLOAD & YouTube Masterclass

✈️ Cool TRAVEL products I recommend (with discounts) - -

👉 Ways To Support Paddy Doyle -

🤙🏻JOIN my Patron Production Team

✅ Get 1 on 1 Help on Your Own YouTube Channel (Production CEO Tier)

☝🏻 UNLOCK the next episode RIGHT NOW by becoming a channel member

💕 Contribute Directly

💪🏼 Support the Channel Here -

🙋🏻 Get Next Level Adventures MERCH

make sure to hit the 🔔 notifications bell 🔔 and never miss an adventure!

#PaddyDoyle #newzealand #travel #adventure

[PaddyDoyle.]

I hiked New Zealand’s famous Routeburn Track — and it was wild! - Head to to get 10% off your first website or domain with Squarespace!

[keithfry]

Whether the weather be fine,
Or whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!
You’ve nailed it again Paddy.
Cheers big ears. 🍺🇦🇺

[mattieclan]

Try Whittakers choc You will love that.

[stevemorrison]

You are even making Kiwis want to rediscover NZ ! Thank you Paddy for your kind words about Aotearoa New Zealand . We are stupidly grateful when travellers love it!

[digitalbegley]

Love seeing you explore my back yard. will be out and about in the Wilds over the next couple of weeks.

[ervinslens]

You nailed it here man! Cinematic masterpiece so nicely executed and narrated! Just wow!

[pieman]

Love the video, as someone who use to hike the weather and environment are part of the adventure. Yeah we all want a sunny hike but that part of the country is rugged and diverse because of the environment. Take care m8, New Zealand is a gem.

[karynconner]

As a kiwi. The best time to be in Fiordland is when it’s wet as the bush is spectacular ❤ enjoy our country

[andreacrashe]

*Kia ora (hello) Paddy, once again thanks for showcasing how beautiful my country, Aotearoa/New Zealand is to other folks who will watch your videos. 🙂 I am pleased that you also give a real honest review even when it rains and in the extreme winds as you hike. Your vids are awesome to watch, as you show off how beautiful NZ really is in parts of the rugged countryside as you hike up and down the tracks. Yep NZ is also known to have 4 seasons in a day in certain parts of NZ.🙂 now looking forward to your next vid🙂.*

[christheodorou]

Been waiting for this one! Looks amazing! Cheers Paddy! 🍻

[goldviper]

Awesome video Paddy. You Sir are so lucky to be able to travel the world, and WE are so lucky you take us along. God Bless you and safe travels.

[christine]

Love the addition of the no-background music/natural sounds segment, Paddy!
I also enjoy your choice of background music in other segments. I guess basically what I’m saying is keep doing what you’re doing 💪

[Kiwi-Macca]

Top points for combining a Duet with your fish and chips, classic!

[trudimclaren]

Yay Te Anau! One of my favourite places to stay, ever - you can just feel the spiritually from the lake and mountains - it's so special! Love it so much more than Queenstown, just because it's so peaceful compared. Getting married there later this year! ❤🤗

[StartLivingNow]

Thank You Paddy Doyle for Another Amazing Adventure Your Video looks Beautiful on the TV 🙂❤️👍

[travelwithbec]

Takes me back to when I did the Routeburn, as the bus was so expensive to get back to the start we walked the entire way back to the start on the 3rd day! Such a beautiful place

[diarmuidlong]

These videos are so enjoyable. Safe travels.

[sjonkelrolfsen]

Dear Paddy ❤ Thank you so much for taking us along on this amazing hike. Since you love these Incredible hut to hut hikes, I highly recommend you to come to Norway to do just that. You should check out the Trekanten hike in Trollheimen. Much love and respect from Espen in Trondheim 🥰

[kathyt]

Thank you Paddy as a Kiwi now old I have done the Routeburn three times, twice freedom walking and once with Ultimate Hikes. It brought back some lovely memories. Yes you lose yourself in the mountains and it is a magical way of being in nature. You have captured all this. Look forward to viewing your other walks cheers

[The-wanderlust-kids]

Great video mate. So glad you enjoyed your time in New Zealand. ❤