Milford Track Day Hikes
Renowned for its Jurassic rain-forests and high granite mountain passes, the Milford Track has etched its way to the top of any keen hiker’s bucket-list. Read on to learn what makes the Milford Track such a unique hiking trail, and discover a way to immerse yourself in its natural beauty on board the full 3 night/4 day guided hiking tour, or just take a day hike on the most stunning section!
The Milford Track at a glance:
- Starts at Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau.
- Ends at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound.
- 53.5 kilometres long (33.5 miles).
- Typically takes three nights, four days to complete.
What we’ll do:
A stunning day hike to the Giant Gate Falls – starting from Sandfly Point, walking inland to the Giant Gate Falls. This stunning hike will give you a first hand taste of the Milford Track’s beauty, while giving you enough time to take a cruise of Milford Sound too. It’s an incredible way to get those Milford Track bragging rights, even when you don’t have time or the fitness to complete the trail in its entirety.
Milford Track day hike map:
Want to hike the entire Milford Track from start to finish?
You can take a fully guided hiking tour of the Milford Track by joining a trip like the ‘Milford Hiking Adventure’ with Active Adventures New Zealand.
Which New Zealand Walking Tours trips include the Milford Track day walk?
Beautiful South– 10 days, Queenstown to Queenstown.
Pristine New Zealand – 13 days, Auckland to Queenstown.
Elegant South – 11 days, Nelson to Queenstown.
Where is the Milford Track?
The world famous Milford Track begins at Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau. In order to access the Milford Track walkers need to take a boat journey across the lake, from Te Anau Downs, a short drive from the town of Te Anau on state highway 94 (the Milford Road). The track meanders through silver and mountain beech forest, skirting glacially carved valleys, and beautifully clear rivers and past stunning waterfalls, up to Mackinnon Pass, the high point of the hike, and then back down to sea level to finish at Sandlfy Point in Milford Sound itself.
What’s so special about the Milford Track?
We’ve included a section of the Milford Track on our trips not simply because it is New Zealand’s most famous walking track. The Milford Track was once described by poet Blanche Baughan as ‘the finest walk in the world’ and you know what? We agree!
The section we’ve chosen to include, from Sandfly Point to Giant Gate Falls is a great opportunity to get a taste for the absolutely breath taking natural beauty of Fiordland National Park, and the Milford Track.
From Sandfly Point we’ll follow the Arthur River upstream, initially on its true left, amongst thick forest, and surrounded by a multitude of different fern species. The track is punctuated by wooden bridges and walkways; we’ll cross the river and subsequent side streams as we continue towards the falls.
After strong winds or heavy rainfall, downed trees lay across the track, or by its sides. The Department of Conservation rangers regularly walk the track to maintain it and keep it safe for hikers, but it’s not uncommon to find an obstacle to step over, or duck under, in an environment that is always changing.
After an hour or so of gentle walking we’ll reach Lake Ada, and shortly afterwards, step out of the forest onto a swing bridge, the perfect vantage point to appreciate the Giant Gate Falls. The cobalt blue colour of the plunge pool, and outflow is a stark contrast to the green of the forest you’ve been walking through. The power and noise of the water is a something to behold, and it’s a rite of passage to have your photo taken on the bridge above the water.
The Giant Gate Falls walk takes you into true Fiordland wilderness, amongst vast areas of virgin forest. To be able to access such pure nature with only a short walk makes this a special trip, and one you won’t soon forget.
For more information about the Milford Track, and to see how we explore it on our New Zealand Walking Tours simply request a free travel brochure below – or scroll down to see our trips.
Reviews
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Simon Potter
4 years ago
This was fantastic getting out in the outbacks. Our guide Ellie was amazing she knew so much about the Trees, Birds, Tracks etc. We were so lucky to have her as our guide.
This was fantastic getting out in the outbacks. Our guide Ellie was amazing she knew so much about the Trees, Birds, Tracks etc.<br />
We were so lucky to have her as our guide. Because I was the oldest there (79) she made sure I was ok for the steep part of the tracks.<br />
Not only was she great as a guide but also great driver and cook. She knew all the restaurants to go to for great meals. To have her come along on most walks and boat trip was a great help .read more -
Erina Potter
4 years ago
We were so looked after by Ellie: she treated us like her own family. The best thing of this holiday was that I didn't need to do any organisation, it was all managed so well.
We were so looked after by Ellie: she treated us like her own family.<br />
The best thing of this holiday was that I didn't need to do any organisation, it was all managed so well. We seemed to get the best places to stay, the best restaurants to go to, even the best 'home cooked' meals.read more -
Tina Alberg
5 years ago
This was our 2nd visit to New Zealand. The first, in 2001, was a month long self driven tour of both islands with emphasis on the South and included taking the full escorted Milford Track adventure. It was the lifetime trip, at that time.
This Active Adventure trip outdid it. And the reason is the tour guides and the truly magnificent job they did in following the Active Adventure plan and in making seamless changes to it as required by weather and other problems along the way. Clare and Emma were there every day in every way necessary to the success of the trip. Wonderful.......read more
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Lori Pickens
5 years ago
Ms. Holly and Ms. Claire were the guides of a lifetime. They made all the difference between an okay trip and very eventful.
Ms. Holly and Ms. Claire were the guides of a lifetime. They made all the difference between an okay trip and very eventful.read more
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Jan Seals
5 years ago
This was a bucket list trip for us, and it was wonderful! A great overview of both islands. Well planned, great food, good accommodations & wonderful guides.
This was a bucket list trip for us, and it was wonderful! A great overview of both islands. Well planned, great food, good accommodations & wonderful guides.read more
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Cheryl Langford
5 years ago
This trip was above and beyond anything we imagined. The personal contact that continued from the first moment of booking to each day of our trip was very helpful. Our questions were answered before we could think of them in the kindest possible way.
This trip was above and beyond anything we imagined. The personal contact that continued from the first moment of booking to each day of our trip was very helpful. Our questions were answered before we could think of them in the kindest possible way. We were treated like honored family by our guides (hosts), Holly and Claire. They completely tailored the trip to our needs and desires on a day to day basis, as necessary. As amazing as the natural beauty of NZ is, the people we met through Active Adventures were even more so!read more
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Don Gordon
5 years ago
I have long wanted to visit the Fiordland/Southland area. My AA trip gave me a great overview of it. A great mix of food, wine, fun, and fitness. Thanks.
read more
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Eric Nodiff
5 years ago
New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country and we experienced many of the highlights of the south island. The tour guides, Clare and Emma, were fantastic in every way and ensured a terrific experience.
New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country and we experienced many of the highlights of the south island. The tour guides, Clare and Emma, were fantastic in every way and ensured a terrific experience. The views of Kaikoura Peninsula and Lake Wakatipu and Milford Sound will be engrained in my head forever. The hiking was great and the food was delish throughout the trip. I highly recommend this trip!read more
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Karen Nodiff
5 years ago
A trip to expand your mind meeting challenges and wonderful new people
in a gorgeous country while eating great food! A trip to expand your mind meeting challenges and wonderful new people<br />
in a gorgeous country while eating great food!read more -
Claudia Jurowski
5 years ago
This was a lovely tour with many especially high quality amenities such as the superior guides, Ellie and Lauren, the extraordinary meals, great wine and quality adventures.
Because of an extreme weather event we were unable to follow our original itinerary but great efforts were made to include equal quality activities. The luxury of this tour is not in the hotels or transportation but in the personal attention from the guides and quality food and drink.read more
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