Milford Track

As the start of the Milford Track is relatively remote, your transport to and from the trail goes by boat. Your journey starts in Te Anau Downs, where you’ll make a 1-hour boat trip to the trailhead at Glade Wharf. As you walk along the Clinton River you get glimpses of its crystal clear water, but don’t stop and stare for too long!

The sandflies in the South Island are notorious, so bring some strong insect-repellant. The first day is a gentle stroll through a beautiful beach forest which will lead you to Clinton Hut, where all hikers will spend their first night. If you’re feeling adventurous after you’ve picked your bunk and cooked your dinner, there is an impressive glowworm cave nearby the hut that’s worth exploring! You have also set foot in kiwi-territory and although these local birds are quite shy during the day, you might hear them calling out after dark!

From Clinton Hut, you gradually climb along the Clinton River, following it all the way up to Lake Mintaro. Shortly after passing Hirere Falls, you’ll get the first views of McKinnon Pass, as well as the Pompolona ice field. As you move through the Clinton Valley you’ll pass through different landscapes and get to soak in the stunning views of the huge rock walls on either side. If it has been raining, there will be countless waterfalls flowing all around and it’ll be hard to choose your photo-angle! You’ll easily forget that you’re slowly gaining elevation and before you know it, you’ve made it to Mintaro Hut.

The elevation thus far has been gradual and slowly building up. After leaving Mintaro Hut the real climb starts. You’ll make your way over the MacKinnon Pass, named after explorer Quintin McKinnon. On a clear day, you will get exceptional views of Lake Mintaro and the Clinton Canyon, but more often than not, there is quite some cloud coverage. If you’re lucky, the memorial is a great place for a 360º view, before reaching the highest point of the track at MacKinnon Pass Shelter (1154m). If you’ve got time, the shelter is a great place for a cup of tea, a snack, or a lunch break. MacKinnon Pass, as well as the rest of Fiordland National Park, is Kea territory; New Zealand’s alpine parrot. It’s a cheeky, curious bird that’s probably got their eyes on your lunch or loose gear, so make sure you don’t leave your stuff unattended!

From the MacKinnon Pass Shelter, you’ll gradually start to descend. On the way down you’ll pass multiple waterfalls along the Roaring Burn River before it’s time for another snack break at Quintin Shelter. From Quintin Shelter, you can add a little side trip to Sutherland Falls, which drops a spectacular 580 meters from Lake Quill and is the tallest waterfall in New Zealand. Well worth the 1.5-hour return trip and for the true daredevils amongst us, another excuse to get wet! From here it’s a steady walk to the final hut on the track: Dumpling Hut.

Your last day on the Milford Track is packed with some more magic. From Dumpling Hut you will follow the Arthur River. You’ll cross some swing bridges with amazing views on either side before you reach yet another waterfall! Mackay Falls is tucked away in a beautiful little corner of the forest and cascades down mossy rocks into a clear turquoise rockpool. This is also where you can find Bell Rock, which got its name due to the hollow inside; you can even crawl in if you want.

The last three kilometers of the track, you’ll walk on a smooth easy path built by prisoners between 1890 and 1892. Make sure you time your arrival at Sandfly Point well, as it does justice to its name. Although you can admire the spectacular views of the world-famous Milford Sound, you’ll quickly become an all-you-can-eat buffet for the sandflies! From Sandfly Point, a short boat trip will take you across the water, from where you can look back on a beautiful 4-day hike in the midst of Fiordland National Park.

The best time of the year to hike the Milford Track is from late October until late April. This is within the New Zealand Great Walk Season and will be the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. Because transport needs to be arranged prior to your departure, it’s good to keep an eye on when the last boat of the season leaves.

Fiordland National Park is known to get a lot of rain all year around; an average of 200 days per year. In the colder months and outside of the Great Walk Season there’s the possibility of snow and ice. The track remains open between May and October, but with limited facilities and the weather, track and avalanche conditions need to be carefully considered. Always contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre before departure and take your own experience, safety, and abilities into consideration.

For New Zealand in particular, the Department of Conservation has multiple visitor centers. Most of the time, they are located in a town close to the national parks. Not only do the visitor centers have a wide array of brochures to read about the trails in the area, but the staff also gets an accurate weather update and will help answer all the questions you have. Don’t be afraid to stop by or give them a call! In addition to this, a lot of information can be found on the Department of Conservation website, which will be linked below.

Always share your hiking plans with friends and family and provide details like starting times, expected finish times, the route you’re walking, and emergency contact information.

Especially in the mountains of New Zealand, weather can be unpredictable and change unexpectedly. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions. Avoid hiking during severe weather like heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, or extreme heat. All these factors can be a risk to your safety. Other key factors for you to assess are trail difficulty, length, elevation gain, and terrain.

Make sure you carry at least two liters of water each day and make sure to know where your water sources are. Eating nutritious foods is essential for your energy levels. Make sure you bring enough snacks and include an emergency meal in case you get stuck for a day.

All huts have water tanks, but boiling or filtering water is advised. There are streams and waterfalls that can be used as resources, but again, to be safe, bring a waterfilter with you.

Carry navigational tools such as a compass or GPS device to stay oriented and avoid getting lost. A PLB —or personal locator beacon— can make a huge difference in case of an emergency. Make sure your maps or directions are accessible offline and don’t rely on just one app.

Invest in the right hiking gear, including comfortable, supportive footwear, good hiking clothes, such as warm base layers and a hardshell rain jacket, hiking poles, a well-fitted backpack, and essential equipment like maps, GPS devices (when needed), and a first-aid kit. Check out the comprehensive gear list for multi-day hikes like this.

Respect the principles of Leave No Trace by minimizing your impact on the environment. Stick to designated trails, pack out all rubbish, and respect the wildlife and their natural habitats.