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Milford Track

New Zealand🇳🇿 | hikesMilford TrackMackinnon Pass, Sutherland Falls, one-way permits, rainforest valleys | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Milford Track
🏆 Top pickhike ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Mackinnon Pass holds a stone memorial cairn to Quintin Mackinnon, the track’s discoverer, at the summit of the climb, and the wind there hums through the shelter’s roof. The Milford Track runs through Fiordland National Park in the south-west of New Zealand, from the head of Lake Te Anau to Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. It is 53.5 km of glacier valleys, waterfalls and rainforest, though it rains most days and the huts are the only roof. I still hear the sound of the Clinton River at dusk, a steady rushing that drowned out every other noise in the hut. Bookings catch people out: huts and permits sell out months ahead through the Department of Conservation, so book the moment the season opens, and the track only runs one direction, so you cannot swap days. Public transport is limited to the Te Anau boat and Milford return buses, so pre-book both. A first day is a short boat ride, then a flat 5 km walk to Clinton Hut.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 New Zealand Travel Guide.
Best time to go: October - April
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 53.5 kilometers
Total ascent: 1000 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 hike in New ZealandWhat makes this hike worth hiking

Backpackers chase the Milford Track because it packs Sutherland Falls, the highest in the country at 580 m, and Mackinnon Pass into four days of one-way walking. The route is well graded and benched, so a reasonably fit first-timer can finish it, while experienced hikers still get a real alpine crossing with big views over the Clinton and Arthur valleys.
The other pull is the logistics, which are tidy once booked. Boats and buses take you in and out, and the track ends at Milford Sound, so it joins naturally with a Fiordland itinerary. Pair it with a sound cruise or a few days around Te Anau.
There is also the scarcity. Only about 40 independent walkers start each day in the season, which keeps the huts from feeling like a conveyor belt and gives the valleys a quiet that busier tracks lose. … read more 👉
Backpackers chase the Milford Track because it packs Sutherland Falls, the highest in the country at 580 m, and Mackinnon Pass into four days of one-way walking. The route is well graded and benched, so a reasonably fit first-timer can finish it, while experienced hikers still get a real alpine crossing with big views over the Clinton and Arthur valleys.
The other pull is the logistics, which are tidy once booked. Boats and buses take you in and out, and the track ends at Milford Sound, so it joins naturally with a Fiordland itinerary. Pair it with a sound cruise or a few days around Te Anau.
There is also the scarcity. Only about 40 independent walkers start each day in the season, which keeps the huts from feeling like a conveyor belt and gives the valleys a quiet that busier tracks lose. Book early, pack for rain, and you get a trail that rarely disappoints.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Sutherland Falls: Dropping 580 m in three leaps, it is the track’s signature sight. A side trail of about 1.5 hours return leads to the base, where spray soaks you well before you arrive.
  2. Mackinnon Pass: At 1,154 m, this is the high point of the track. On a clear day you look down both valleys and across rock walls; in cloud you still get the memorial cairn and the shelter.
  3. Clinton Valley: A glaciated U-shaped valley with waterfalls streaming down cliffs after rain. The flat path through beech forest makes the walking easy and the views long.
  4. Mitre Peak and Sandfly Point: The finish at Milford Sound puts Mitre Peak in front of you as the boat or bus awaits. It is a gentle, satisfying end after the forest.
  5. Giant Gate Falls: Near the end of the track, a short detour leads to a thundering fall beside
… read more 👉
  1. Sutherland Falls: Dropping 580 m in three leaps, it is the track’s signature sight. A side trail of about 1.5 hours return leads to the base, where spray soaks you well before you arrive.
  2. Mackinnon Pass: At 1,154 m, this is the high point of the track. On a clear day you look down both valleys and across rock walls; in cloud you still get the memorial cairn and the shelter.
  3. Clinton Valley: A glaciated U-shaped valley with waterfalls streaming down cliffs after rain. The flat path through beech forest makes the walking easy and the views long.
  4. Mitre Peak and Sandfly Point: The finish at Milford Sound puts Mitre Peak in front of you as the boat or bus awaits. It is a gentle, satisfying end after the forest.
  5. Giant Gate Falls: Near the end of the track, a short detour leads to a thundering fall beside the path. It is a good place for a snack and a rest before the last stretch to Sandfly Point.
Leave your pack at Quintin Shelter on the third afternoon and walk the 1.5 hour side trail to Sutherland Falls before the last hour to Dumpling Hut.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Milford Track

Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Self-Guided Scenic Track Walk

Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Self-Guided Scenic Track Walk

4.7(6) 7h 15m
From €131
per personViator
Helicopter Transfer from Milford Sound Airport to Te Anau

Helicopter Transfer from Milford Sound Airport to Te Anau

0.0(0) 40m
From €592
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Great Walk season (late October to late April): Guided and independent walkers can both book this stretch, and the huts are staffed by DOC rangers. Booking opens months ahead and the season’s places sell out within hours.
  • Midsummer (December to February): Days of 15 to 16 hours of light, highs of 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), lows near 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). It’s also the busiest and most expensive stretch, and rain still falls on roughly half the days. Sandflies are at their peak.
  • March and April: Highs of 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F), steadier weather, fewer walkers and daylight down to about 11 to 12 hours. Easier to get a bunk, and the sandflies ease off.
  • Late October and November: Highs of 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), snowmelt waterfalls at full roar, and some avalanche risk lingering high on the pass.
… read more 👉
  • Great Walk season (late October to late April): Guided and independent walkers can both book this stretch, and the huts are staffed by DOC rangers. Booking opens months ahead and the season’s places sell out within hours.
  • Midsummer (December to February): Days of 15 to 16 hours of light, highs of 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), lows near 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F). It’s also the busiest and most expensive stretch, and rain still falls on roughly half the days. Sandflies are at their peak.
  • March and April: Highs of 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F), steadier weather, fewer walkers and daylight down to about 11 to 12 hours. Easier to get a bunk, and the sandflies ease off.
  • Late October and November: Highs of 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F), snowmelt waterfalls at full roar, and some avalanche risk lingering high on the pass.
  • Winter (May to September): Only for experienced alpine walkers. Snow, avalanche danger and flooded sections of trail are common, and bridges can be closed. Hut services are reduced and bookings are not required.
Book as soon as the season’s dates are released, and pick a midweek start if the calendar allows it.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
New Zealand - the Milford Track

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🥾 Hike detailsEverything you need to know before hiking Milford Track

Total Distance: 53.5 km one way.
Estimated Duration: 4 days and 3 nights, usually 5 to 6 hours of walking per day.
Difficulty: Moderate. The track is well graded, but the Mackinnon Pass climb and the long final day are tiring in rain.
Starting Point: Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau, reached by a boat from Te Anau Downs. Te Anau is the nearest town and the usual base for transfers.
Major Landmarks:
  • Clinton Hut: First night, after a flat valley walk.
  • Mintaro Hut: Second night, beneath Mackinnon Pass.
  • Mackinnon Pass: The 1,154 m high point with the memorial cairn.
  • Dumpling Hut: Third night and the
… read more 👉
Total Distance: 53.5 km one way.
Estimated Duration: 4 days and 3 nights, usually 5 to 6 hours of walking per day.
Difficulty: Moderate. The track is well graded, but the Mackinnon Pass climb and the long final day are tiring in rain.
Starting Point: Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau, reached by a boat from Te Anau Downs. Te Anau is the nearest town and the usual base for transfers.
Major Landmarks:
  • Clinton Hut: First night, after a flat valley walk.
  • Mintaro Hut: Second night, beneath Mackinnon Pass.
  • Mackinnon Pass: The 1,154 m high point with the memorial cairn.
  • Dumpling Hut: Third night and the base for Sutherland Falls.
  • Sandfly Point: The end at Milford Sound.
Terrain and Scenery: Boardwalks and gravel through glacial valleys, a steep zigzag to the pass, then a descent along the Arthur River past waterfalls and rock walls.
Vegetation: Beech forest, ferns and moss in the valleys, with alpine tussock and scrub near the pass.
Wildlife: Keas around the pass, plus fantail, tomtit, bellbird and robin. Sandflies swarm at the huts and the finish, so carry repellent.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Milford Track

The Milford Track is well-managed, but its weather is the main hazard: Fiordland gets 6 to 7 meters of rain a year, and rivers can rise within an hour. Most days you’ll be on boardwalks, benched track and swing bridges, so footing is rarely technical. The real work is the climb to Mackinnon Pass (1,154 m), which is exposed to wind and cold even in summer. Pack a proper waterproof jacket, a warm layer and a pack liner, and start early on pass day so you cross in the best light. If streams flood, wait at the hut. Rangers post the forecast daily and will advise on closures. Avalanche paths can close sections in spring and winter, so check conditions with DOC beforehand. Sandflies are relentless at rest stops, so bring repellent and long sleeves. Keas, the cheeky alpine parrots, will shred boots … read more 👉
The Milford Track is well-managed, but its weather is the main hazard: Fiordland gets 6 to 7 meters of rain a year, and rivers can rise within an hour. Most days you’ll be on boardwalks, benched track and swing bridges, so footing is rarely technical. The real work is the climb to Mackinnon Pass (1,154 m), which is exposed to wind and cold even in summer. Pack a proper waterproof jacket, a warm layer and a pack liner, and start early on pass day so you cross in the best light. If streams flood, wait at the hut. Rangers post the forecast daily and will advise on closures. Avalanche paths can close sections in spring and winter, so check conditions with DOC beforehand. Sandflies are relentless at rest stops, so bring repellent and long sleeves. Keas, the cheeky alpine parrots, will shred boots and packs left outside, so keep gear inside. Walk one direction only, from Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point, and carry out all rubbish.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Milford Track

Most people walk it in 4 days and 3 nights, covering about 53 km from Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau to Sandfly Point at Milford Sound. The days run roughly 5 km, 16 km, 14 km and 18 km, usually with 5 to 8 hours of walking on the longer days. The boat transfer at the start is about 1.25 hours from Te Anau Downs, and Sandfly Point has a short boat trip to Milford Sound village at the end.
Moderate, in the sense that anyone with reasonable fitness and a few day hikes behind them can do it. The 1,154 m Mackinnon Pass day is the toughest, with a climb of about 500 m and a steep descent over rough steps and stone, and the final day is long and flat. Heavy rain is the factor that turns a straightforward walk into a wet, slow one, so good rain gear matters more than expertise.
Yes, you need a booking in either case, since the track runs a strict quota system. Independent walkers book DOC huts (camping is not allowed) for the Great Walk season (late October to late April), which cost NZ$152 a night for international adults (NZ$106 for New Zealanders) and sell out within hours of release. Guided walks with Ultimate Hikes cost around NZ$2,500 to 3,500 or more and include lodges and meals. Outside the season, no booking is required but no hut services are provided and alpine experience is needed.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other New Zealander hikes near Milford Track

Explore more nearby:

  • Routeburn Track—Harris Saddle, Key Summit, glacial lakes, Routeburn Falls| 31 km away
  • Kepler Track—60 km loop, limestone caves, alpine ridge, lakeshore finish| 73 km away
  • Hooker Valley Track—Village trailheads, swing bridges, iceberg lake, glacier views| 220 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

The sandflies at Sandfly Point are as persistent as the name promises, and most first-timers pack repellent for the huts but not for the final wait. I would keep a full bottle in my hip pocket, because the boat can leave you standing there for a while.

✈️ When did I visit New Zealand?
All the way back in high school I have been visiting the North Island of New Zealand (1993).

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in New Zealand, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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