The Milford Track: New Zealand's Greatest Walk Step by Step
The four-day Milford Track is the oldest and most celebrated of New Zealand's nine Great Walks. The 53.5 km trail from the head of Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound passes through alpine meadows, rainforest, MacKinnon Pass and the dramatic Sutherland Falls.
- 1
Glenorchy Wharf to Clinton Forks
The track begins with a boat trip across Lake Te Anau to the trail head. The first day through beech forest beside the Clinton River is gentle and beautiful, easing hikers into the experience.
- 2
Clinton Huts to Mintaro Huts
The second day climbs steadily through increasingly dramatic alpine terrain. The valley narrows and the walls steepen, with waterfalls appearing on every cliff. Mintaro Hut sits below the MacKinnon Pass.
- 3
MacKinnon Pass
The high point of the track at 1154 meters, MacKinnon Pass offers 360-degree mountain views on clear days. A memorial to the track's discoverer Quintin MacKinnon stands at the summit. Weather permitting, this is the defining moment.
- 4
Sutherland Falls Side Trip
From Quintin Lodge, a 90-minute return detour reaches Sutherland Falls, at 580 meters one of the world's tallest waterfalls. The scale and the roar of the water in this remote valley are unforgettable.
- 5
Sandfly Point to Milford Sound
The final half-day descends through rainforest to Sandfly Point on the shore of Milford Sound. A boat picks up walkers and delivers them to the Milford Sound visitor center, completing the journey.
- 6
Booking and Permits
The Milford Track requires advance DOC booking for guided or freedom (independent) walking. All hut bookings open in late May for the following season and popular dates sell out within hours of opening.