The torrential rains and exceptional flooding that hit Westland last week also made their mark on popular tramping routes in Northern Fiordland.

If you're planning to go on a multi-day hike in Northern Fiordland anytime soon, take extra precautions and talk with DOC staff ahead of time. 

That's the message that DOC Te Anau principal ranger historic and recreation Grant Tremain wants to get out there following the wild weather that hit the South Island's west coast last week.

The most significant damage happened at the start of the Routeburn Track near the Divide car park along the Milford Road, where a slip at a creek damaged a 5m bridge with a handrail, Mr Tremain said. The track wasn't evacuated, but was closed to newcomers.

Mr Tremain said an interim detour route using a backcountry trail was implemented last week. Trampers who began their journey in Glenorchy would finish at the Lake Marian car park instead of the Divide. 

For that reason, it was important that hikers checked DOC's website and talked with visitor centre staff either in Te Anau or Queenstown ahead of their trek. 

Mr Tremain said it would take a couple of weeks to repair the damage.

The Milford Track was closed last Monday and Tuesday, and re-opened on Wednesday. Mr Tremain said DOC was lucky the torrential rains made for relatively light damage on the track, with staff needing to re-route less than 100m of track.

As of last week, the Hollyford Track remained open, but Mr Tremain re-iterated the need to assess weather and track conditions before heading out.