Milford Track Walking - Walking Access NZ
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9/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa
Milford Track
Walking
Dif culties
Medium , Hard
Length
54.2 km
Journey Time
4 days
Region
Southland
Sub-Region
Southland District
Part of the Collection
Department of Conservation Great Walks
Track maintained by
Department of Conservation
https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 1/8
9/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa
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Experience 'the nest walk in the world' as you retrace the steps of early explorers on the world-
renowned Milford Track. Take a journey along valleys carved by glaciers, wander through ancient
rainforests and admire cascading waterfalls.
Take your camera and capture the stunning panoramas from Mackinnon Pass across ancient
valleys carved by glaciers.
Take a side trip to Sutherland Falls, which drop 580 m.
Enjoy the emerald waters of the Clinton River.
What to expect
Great Walk tracks are of a higher standard than most other tracks so are well formed and easy to
follow. The tracks are usually quite wide, depending on the terrain – some t two people walking
side by side in at areas.
The surface is usually gravel, rock or dirt, and like any track can get slippery in wet weather.
Most rivers and waterways on these tracks have sturdy bridges. Occasionally there are also small
streams that cross the track but are usually easy enough to step across safely. Be aware that in
wet weather rivers can rise very quickly and ood the tracks – especially on the Milford Track.
There are hill climbs where the track becomes steeper, which is all the better for views.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2018 - 22 October 2018):
Facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazards to consider.
Walking the track during this time should only be attempted by t, experienced and well-
equipped people. For more information see Walking the Milford Track outside the Great Walks
season .
https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 2/89/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa
Conditions:
Track partially closed
The northern end of the Milford Track is closed due to severe damage from ooding in
February 2020, however the southern section can be walked as a 3-day, 2-night hike.
Seasonal restrictions
In the Great Walks season (23 October 2018 - 30 April 2019):
Bookings are required for huts
Huts have gas cooking stoves and resident wardens
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2018 - 22 October 2018):
Facilities, including bridges, are greatly reduced
Flood and avalanche risks exist
Experience is required
Bookings are not required - huts are rst come, rst served
Be prepared – take the right gear
As with any outdoor experience, the decisions you make and your safety are your
responsibility.
Take the right gear for your Great Walk tramp.
Take the right gear for your Great Walk tramp
Check conditions – check with the DOC Visitor Centre for track conditions and weather
before your trip.
Take the right gear for all conditions and enough food. All walkers should take a rst aid
kit. Get a list of what to take .
If walking outside the Great Walks season we recommend you also take a mountain radio
and/or personal locator beacon. Also see Walking the Milford Track outside the Great
Walks season .
Your mobile is not useful as there is no coverage for the Milford and Routeburn Tracks
and very little on the Kepler Track (limited to high areas).
https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 3/89/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa
Watch a timelapse video of the Milford Track showing how quickly weather conditions can
change.
Tell someone your plans
We recommend you tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you
haven't returned. For how to do this, see the Outdoors Intentions process (external site) –
AdventureSmart website.
Tracks are sometimes closed for safety reasons
Sometimes the Great Walk tracks need to be closed for safety reasons (eg avalanche danger,
ooding or high winds). If walkers are not able to proceed, options are available. These may
include a refund (if walk not started yet), changing direction on the track or transfer across
hazard areas. DOC staff will keep you informed of all issues and options.
Hazards to look out for on Great Walks
Being lost
The tracks are very well marked but if you become lost you should stop, nd shelter and stay
calm. Put on extra clothing and assist rescuers should you hear them searching for you.
Being injured or ill
If you are injured or become ill, use your rst aid kit immediately and contact DOC staff if
needed. In case of emergency an evacuation may be possible.
Hypothermia (too cold)
During cold, wet and windy conditions, hypothermia (drop in core body temperature) can
become a serious problem. From initial stages to unconsciousness can take as little as 30
minutes.
Wear warm and weatherproof gear and eat regularly during your walk.
These symptoms may indicate initial stages of hypothermia: shivering, clumsy, confused,
have slurred speech, may deny they have a problem.
To treat: immediately make or nd shelter, get the person into dry, warm clothing, put
into sleeping bag, give warm, sweet drinks, monitor and seek immediate medical help.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is usually caused by warm temperatures and not drinking enough water.
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Carry and drink water regularly throughout your walk.
A person in the early stages of heat exhaustion may show weakness, dizziness, nausea or
vomiting, loss of appetite and sweating.
To help, give them water and nd a cool place to rest.
Fires
Take care to put ashes from hut re places in the metal drums to avoid huts burning down. At
campsites please only use the designated areas. No open res are permitted in Fiordland
National Park.
Flooding on tracks
During and after heavy rain, ooding of tracks is common on all Great Walks. Stream and river
levels will drop rapidly once rain stops. If you are caught between ooded streams seek
higher ground and wait for water levels to drop.
Risk areas may include:
Kepler Track – Iris Burn Valley.
Milford Track –- between Hirere and Bus Stop in the Clinton Valley; and between Boat
Shed and Poseidon Creek in the Arthur Valley.
Routeburn Track – Routeburn Valley.
Strong winds
Whenever you are walking in alpine areas or exposed areas on any of the tracks, such as over
passes, saddles and along mountain ridges, you could be caught in strong and/or gusty winds
(eg over 80km/hour winds). Take care to dress warmly as wind-chill danger is worse at these
times.
Avalanches
Snow avalanches are common on all tracks, especially between late August and early
November. Danger is higher during or directly after snow and rain. Avalanche and snow
hazard can change rapidly from low to high within a 24 hour period.
Follow all advice given by staff.
Start zones of avalanche paths often cannot be seen from the track.
In danger areas, do not walk below other walkers.
Risk areas may include:
Kepler Track – 9 avalanche paths cross the track between Luxmore Hut and Hanging
Valley shelter.
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Milford Track – over 57 avalanche paths cross the track between 6 Mile in the Clinton
Valley and Quintin Hut in the Arthur Valley.
Routeburn Track – over 32 avalanche paths cross the track between Routeburn Falls hut
and the Earland Falls.
Slips
Routeburn Track – the area halfway between Routeburn Flats and Routeburn Falls Huts is
prone to slips after heavy rain. Care is required when traversing this area. If in doubt, do not
proceed.
Walking the Milford Track outside the Great Walks season
Outside the Great Walks season (early May to late October) facilities are greatly reduced (no
gas for cooking, limited water supply, no rangers or emergency radio facilities) and there are
additional safety hazards to consider:
The winter environment in Fiordland is very cold and wet, with ice, snow and short
daylight hours. Avalanche-prone bridges across some major watercourses are removed.
DOC does not manage hazards such as ooding or avalanche.
Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by t, experienced and well
equipped people. For more information see Walking the Milford Track outside of the Great
Walks season
Follow the Outdoor safety code - Mountain Safety Council (external site)
https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 6/89/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa
How to get here
Travel to and from the Milford Track usually requires road transport and boat access at both
ends of the track.
You can only walk the Milford Track in one direction, and the below transport options are for the
summer Great Walks season only.
The track starts at Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau. There are three scheduled daily
boat services (10.30 am, 1 pm and 2 pm) and on-demand water taxi services from Te Anau
Downs. Boat transport takes one hour from Te Anau Downs to the start of the track.
Te Anau Downs is 27 km from Te Anau on the road to Milford Sound. It has a car parking area if
you wish to leave your vehicle. Bus services run daily scheduled services from Te Anau to meet
the boat at Te Anau Downs.
For experienced trampers, there is tramping access to the start of the track from the Eglinton
Valley via the Dore Pass Route .
The Milford Track nishes at Sand y Point (a 15min boat trip from Milford Sound village).
At the end of your adventure, there are daily bus services from Milford Sound to:
The Divide - start of Routeburn Track (38 km - 45 min)
Te Anau Downs (93 km - 2 hr)
Te Anau (120 km - 2.5 hr)
Queenstown - (297 km - 5 hr)
You'll be given options to book the above connecting transport online, at the same time as you
book your hut tickets. You can also organise transport directly with the operators below.
Transport services
Fiordland Outdoors Co (external site)
Tracknet (external site)
Real Journeys (external site)
Go Orange (external site)
https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 7/89/17/2021 Milford Track — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Track Elevation and Map Page last updated: Sep 8, 2020, 3:42 PM https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/milford-track/pdfPreview 8/8
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