The Routeburn Great Walk is partially re opening today - but not as we know it

The February storms which took out roads, huts and walking tracks has still closed many parts of the walk.

But DOC operations manager, Geoff Owen says they've come up with The Routeburn Return - a longer and more difficult walk to fill the gap.

He says while every little opening is celebrated, they know there'll be disappointed people who wanted to do the Great Walk and will have to change their expectations.

Owen says they wanted to open the track as everyone knew it, but it just wasn't possible.