Milford Track

The Milford Track is one of the most famous walks in the world; a unique experience and one that has delighted visitors since its inception over one hundred years ago. Despite its immense popularity, a maximum of 40 walkers being allowed to start the single direction trail per day ensures that you find it a more personal and intimate experience than the figure of 1,400 annual travellers might have you think. 

The trail winds its way through the spectacular terrain of the South Island's Fiordland National Park, finally ending at the magnificent and world famous Milford Sound. To experience this sensational trek, through dense forests and incredible gorges, you must first and rather unconventionally make your way via bus and then boat, to the secluded trail head at Glade Wharf, at the head of Lake Te Anau, before making your way to the nearby first hut. Such huts are maintained by the park, and populate the trackside along its length, providing some wonderful settings for relaxing evenings spent reflecting on the perfect vistas gawped at during the day's exertions. 

From Day 2, the trail becomes that much more demanding; after a beautiful stretch along the side of the glacial Lake Mintaro, and having emerged into that gorgeous shoreline from a cascade filled canyon, you are faced with the somewhat more daunting task of contending with a series of switchbacks to attain the altitude of the Mackinnon Pass. Should the weather favour you, your exertions will be rewarded with extensive views over Mt Eliot and the Jervois Glacier and massive tracts of alpine landscape will unfold behind you. 

En route you will pass countless waterfalls and careering cascades, notable among them the Sutherland Falls, with a quite sensational three-tiered 1,904ft drop to its distant plug pool. At 3,519ft, the Mackinnon Pass marks the highest point on the trail, offering sweeping vistas over the rugged alpine landscape of Arthur Valley below. There are hanging valleys and glacial troughs, rock faces scored with striations, a whole multitude of the features that abound in any area heavily affected by glaciation, all of which contribute to the walk's character. Ultimately though, it is the majesty of Milford Sound, with Mitre Peak rearing up at its head, that encapsulates the essence of this fabulous trek; sheer grand brilliance. An experience impossible to forget.  

If you do not have time to walk the entire Milford Track:

It is possible to get a coach and catamaran transfer from the town of Te Anau to the head of Lake Te Anau and do a guided day walk along the start of the Milford Track. The outing takes 9 hours and includes a picnic lunch at Clinton Hikers Hut. Contact Real Journeys Visitor Centre in Te Anau for further information and prices.

Paul Hadaway reports: "we went to Milford Sound and got the boat over.  You can only walk the 4-day track one way – to the sea.  However they let day walkers start from the sea end v early in the morning so long as you turn round and come back before that day’s 4-dayers are finishing.  So you don’t get in their way.  A 6.30am start."