Routeburn part-closed by slips

Hikers will have to take long diversions on the Routeburn Track as slips close the southern section of the Great Walk until at least mid-April.

The Department of Conservation released an alert earlier this week saying a section of the track between Howden Hut and the Divide was closed because of a washed-away bridge and a new, active landslip.

The headwall of the slip was heavily loaded, and could collapse at any time.

It can be bypassed by the Greenstone Valley, which adds two days, or experienced trampers can take the Pass Creek track, which adds three to four hours.