MILFORD TRACK

NZ’s most popular walk through ‘The land of the perpendicular’

The Milford track is marketed as the quintessential New Zealand hiking experience and the popularity of the walk really proves how incredible it is. The mountains tower up out of the ground appearing perpendicular, the waterfalls are fed with pristine water turning opal blue in the ponds formed and the forest is a spectacle of lush green hues due to the incredible amount of rainfall that this area experiences each year.

Summary

Time to complete

4 Days

Accommodation style

Back-country huts

Track type

One-way

Distance

53.5km

Difficulty

Easy-Medium

Bookings required

Oct - Apr

Highlights

Some of most incredible waterfalls to be found in Aotearoa
Epic views over the 1154m elevation McKinnon Pass
Incredibly lush river valleys both sides of the pass
Some of the best equipped backcountry huts in the country
Walk in the dramatic valleys with some of the peaks rising almost perpendicular from the valley floor
Take a side trip to the 580m tall Sutherland falls, the tallest waterfall in Aotearoa

Page Navigation

Track info

Trip Guide

Gallery

All about the trail

The Milford Track has a history extending all the way back to when the Maori settled New Zealand and would travel in these parts to reach deposits of Greenstone in the area. The trail has since been transformed into New Zealand’s most popular trail, often selling out within hours or days of the Hut booking system being active. It’s unique due to the fact that you have to catch a ferry to both ends of the track and it’s isolation from the mainland makes it feel that extra bit special. The main draw here however are the towering mountains on each side of the valley. It’s something that really needs to be seen to appreciate properly. You’ll be walking through incredible forests, climbing up and over the McKinnon Pass and seeing some truely awe inspiring waterfalls along the way. It’s a special track and offers it’s own unique take on the New Zealand backcountry.

Track condition
-Well taken care of great walk quality trails the entire hike with easy to moderate gradients throughout

Optionals
-Various side tracks along the trail to see points of interest
-Sutherland Falls, the highest waterfall in New Zealand

Getting there

The track is a one way track and both ends of the track require ferry transport meaning a few different companies will need to be engaged. I recommend starting in Te Anau and getting a shuttle bus to the ferry wharf which is a short drive away.

The Department of conservation website page for the Milford Track allows you to book all of these separate services in one place making the process easier.

Trail start location: Glade Wharf

Trail finish location: Sandfly Point

Sleep

-Huts:

The Milford Track has a combination of Department of Conservation Huts and the more luxury accomodations which are for the guided walkers who take the trail.

All DOC huts are serviced and well equipped to a ‘Great walk’ standard.

-Camping:

There is no camping on the Milford Track

-Booking:

Bookings required at all locations October-April. Outside of this, only the track transport needs to be booked in advance and the huts are on a first come first serve basis.

-Backcountry hut pass:

Can be used.

What To Take

Wet weather gear is essential as is a plastic pack liner to hold all your items and keep them dry. It’s not uncommon for parts of the track to become flooded once or twice a year and unfortunately some people have to wade through the flooded sections. Besides this, definitely bring insect repellant with you as sandfly’s are an issue at lower elevations.

Summer | Example packing list

Spring + Autumn | Example packing list

Winter Hiking

Hiking here outside of great walk season can bring challenges. They days are shorter, the huts aren’t equipped in the same way and some of the smaller bridges are removed. There are over 57 Avalanche paths to be aware of.

Despite this, hiking in May through to early June is generally okay so long as there aren’t any severe weather systems over the area.

Website And Other Links

Department of conservation website | Fiordland National Park Weather

Elevation Profile

Trip Guide

Day 1 | Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut

5km | 1 Hour

1hr
After catching the ferry to the start of the trail -which is a journey in itself, day one consists of a short and relatively flat stroll to the first hut. You’ll be passing the guided walk huts along the way and a swing bridge that crosses over the emerald green Clinton River.

Optional
-Leave your pack at the hut and take a stroll in the surrounding area
-There is a glow worm grotto near the hut

Day 2 | Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut

16.5km | 5-6 Hours

2.53hr | Prairie Shelter
Day 2 is when it becomes apparant just how vast the valley you are walking in is. with a fairly easy grade most of the way the walk between Clinton Hut and the shelter is filled with fantastic forest floors and wonderfully coloured streams and rivers. There are a few side tracks to see small lakes which are worth the effort.

2.5-3hr | Mintaro Hut
From the shelter, the track undulates a bit before it turns into a moderate ascent where Mintaro Hut will eventually be met.

Day 3 | Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut

14km+ | 6-7 Hours

2.5-3hr | Mackinnon Pass Shelter
An early start is recommended. Heading towards Mackinnon Pass, the moderate sloped paths increase a bit switchbacking up the mountainside. It’s a long a arduous climb but eventually the track flattens out and soon after the Mackinnon Pass shelter is met.

3.5-4hr | Dumpling Hut
You’ll be happy to know the rest of the track is mostly downhill to Dumpling Hut, save for small undulations here and there. The scenery here seems to change every half an hour as you descend your way into the valley beyond. Cascading waterfalls with opal blue ponds and gigantic cliff faces that extend almost 2000m high and almost vertical are some of the highlights along the way. Take the side trip to Sutherland Falls if you have the time!

Optionals - 60min return
-Sutherland Falls is officially the tallest waterfall in New Zealand and the base of it can be reached from a side trail off the main track. Visit the falls before you get to the hut as there is less backtracking this way. Most people leave their packs at the trail junction and take a day pack there.

Day 4 | Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point

18km | 5-6 Hours

5-6hr | Sandfly Point
The track on the final day follows the Arthur River most of the way to Sandfly point. It’s an easy day of walking as the track is predominantly flat. Along the way budget some time to stop at the various waterfalls along the way which are truly magnificent. I think there is about 4-4.5 hours of actual walking so just keep this in mind if you have a certain ferry time slot at the end.