Route: Gertrude Saddle

Described as the "True Gem of Fiordland National Park," Gertrude Saddle is a very popular route for good reason. It offers a diverse medley of terrain, encompassing technical stretches requiring agility through grass-hidden rocks and puddles, transitioning into steep scree slopes and boulder-strewn fields, with a few clear-water stream crossings. Finally, the route ascends several huge, steep, clean slabs of rock with some section chain one can hold onto to avoid a tumble. Set all this with a backdrop of cascading waterfalls and the Milford Sound, and one can't help but feel transported into Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings.