Milford Track facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milford Track
Trampers on part of Milford Track
Length	53.5 km (33.2 mi)
Location	Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand
Designation	New Zealand Great Walk
Trailheads	Glade Wharf in Lake Te Anau, Sandfly Point in Milford Sound
Use	Hiking
Highest point	Mackinnon Pass, 1,140 m (3,740 ft)
Lowest point	Sandfly Point, 0 m (0 ft)
Difficulty	Medium
Season	Summer to Autumn
Months	Late October to late April
Sights	See below
Hazards	Hypothermia, sunburn, high winds, flooding, sandflies, avalanches

The Milford Track is an amazing hiking trail in New Zealand. It's found in the beautiful Fiordland National Park, surrounded by tall mountains and lush rainforest. This famous track is 53.5 kilometers (about 33 miles) long. It starts at Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau and ends at Sandfly Point in Milford Sound. Along the way, you'll walk through dense rainforests, across wetlands, and over a high mountain pass.

Some sections carry over wetlands.

The New Zealand Department of Conservation calls the Milford Track a "Great Walk." They look after three main huts along the way: Clinton Hut, Mintaro Hut, and Dumpling Hut. There are also three private lodges and four day shelters. Most people take about three days to hike the trail, walking 15 to 20 hours in total. This doesn't include the boat ride to the first hut. Some super-fast hikers can even run the whole track in one day! The quickest known time was by Brian Culmo, who finished in just 6 hours and 55 minutes.

History of the Milford Track

Early Māori Explorers

Long ago, the native Māori people knew this area well. They used it to find and carry valuable greenstone, called pounamu. The Māori have many old stories and legends about the land and the special plants and animals found here.

European Discoveries

In 1880, two European explorers, Donald Sutherland and John Mackay, explored the Milford end of the track. They were the first Europeans to see the beautiful Mackay Falls and Sutherland Falls. Later, in 1888, Quintin McKinnon and a friend set out from Lake Te Anau. They wanted to find a way to reach Milford Sound by land. They discovered what is now known as Mackinnon Pass, a high mountain pass. This discovery helped them connect with Sutherland on the other side.

The First Guides

Quintin McKinnon became the very first guide to lead walkers from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. He started by guiding tours himself and then helped make the track famous. Many places on the Milford Track are named after him, like Mackinnon Pass, which is the highest point on the trail. He also cooked a type of scone called "pompolona," which gave its name to one of the guided trip huts.

For a long time, only guided tours were allowed on the Milford Track. But in 1965, a group of 46 hikers from the Otago Tramping Club did a "freedom walk." This helped change the rules. In 1966, the track opened up for both guided and independent walkers. New huts and facilities were built for people who wanted to walk on their own. Today, about half the spots on the track are for guided tours, and the other half are for independent walkers. Each group uses different huts.

How to Access the Track

The Milford Track is a bit special because you can't just drive to the start. You need to take a boat! To begin your hike, you'll take a boat from Te Anau Downs to Glade House, which is the southern start of the track. At the very end of the track, at Sandfly Point, you'll need another boat to take you back to Milford Sound. There is a very difficult hiking route called the Dore Pass Route that leads to the start, but it's not recommended for most walkers.

Hiking in Summer

Peak Season Rules

The best time to hike the Milford Track is during the summer peak season, from late October to late April. During this time, access to the trail is very controlled. Hikers must finish the track in four days and can only walk in one direction (northward). You are not allowed to camp on the trail.

Each day, a maximum of 90 walkers can start the trail. 40 spots are for independent hikers, and 50 are for guided tours. These spots are usually booked many months in advance because the track is so popular!

Independent Hiking

If you choose to hike independently, you'll stay in huts owned by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. These huts are basic but have bunk beds, restrooms, and cooking areas. You'll need to carry all your own gear and food.

Guided Hiking

If you go on a guided walk, you'll stay in special lodges. These lodges offer more comforts like hot showers and meals. Guided hikers only need to carry their clothes, toiletries, sheets, and lunch for the day. The main company that runs guided multi-day walks on the Milford Track is Ultimate Hikes.

Hiking in the Off-Season

From May to mid-October, it's the off-season. During this time, the track is much less regulated. You can hike in either direction and take as many days as you like. However, hiking in the off-season is much harder and more dangerous. Some hut facilities are removed, and up to 10 bridges are taken down to prevent damage from avalanches.

Huts and Lodges on the Track

There are different places to stay along the Milford Track, depending on whether you are hiking independently or with a guided tour.

Amazing Sights on the Track

The Milford Track is famous for its incredible natural beauty. Here are some of the amazing sights you can see:

Images for kids

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  The shelter hut on Mackinnon Pass.

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  Sheerdown Peak near the end of the Milford Track.

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  Abandoned hiking boots at the sign announcing the finish of the track.