Located in Fiordland National Park in the Fiordland region
53.5 km one way
In the Great Walks season (29 October 2024 – 30 April 2025, last departure 28 April 2025)
Best time to walk the track - there are more facilities and fewer hazards. Bookings are required for huts and transport. Intermediate track category.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2025 – 27 October 2025)
Walking the track should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people - facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional hazards. Advanced and expert track categories.
The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction over 3 nights and 4 days.
Consider guided walks on the Milford Track (Visit Fiordland website)
Explore with Google Street View | Watch videos
There are three huts on the Milford Track, which must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season. Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track.
Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. A DOC ranger is in residence. The huts do not provide cooking utensils or showers.
Time: 1–1 hr 30 min
Distance: 5 km
After a boat cruise from Te Anau Downs (1 hour 15 minutes), take a leisurely walk through beautiful beech forest along the banks of the Clinton River to Clinton Hut, where all walkers spend the first night. Once you arrive, take some time to checkout the great swimming holes near the hut, or take a short walk around the wetland boardwalk.
Time: 15 min return
A short side track is signposted 10 min before Clinton Hut. Guided walks with the DOC ranger maybe available during the late afternoon.
Time: 6 hr
Distance: 17.5 km
A gradual climb follows the Clinton River to its source, Lake Mintaro, at the base of the renowned Omanui/McKinnon Pass. Past Hirere Falls you will get your first view of Omanui/McKinnon Pass and the impressive Pompolona icefield. You’ll be dwarfed by the sheer scale of the rock walls towering above on either side as you walk up the Clinton Valley, and will pass through changing vegetation as you climb higher towards Mintaro Hut.
Time: 6–7 hr
Distance: 13 km
Climb to Omanui/McKinnon Pass and the memorial to explorer Quintin McKinnon, with exceptional views of Lake Mintaro and the Clinton Canyon along the way. The memorial is a great place to take in the awe-inspiring panoramas, before reaching the highest point of the track and Omanui/McKinnon Pass Shelter (1154 m).
From here, you’ll drop steadily through an attractive alpine garden to the valley floor, passing several waterfalls along the Roaring Burn River before arriving at Quintin Shelter. On the way to Dumpling Hut take a moment to admire Sutherland Falls in the distance.
Time: 1 hr 30 min return
The side trip to Sutherland Falls is a definite highlight that is highly recommended and well worth the effort. The impressive falls drop 580 m in 3 leaps from Lake Quill.
Sutherland Falls on Google Street View
Time: 5 hr 30 min – 6 hr
Distance: 18 km
From Dumpling Hut, follow Arthur River to the historic Boatshed. Further along the track, you will reach the dramatic Mackay Falls and intriguing Bell Rock. Admire the man-made rock cuttings alongside the Arthur River and Lake Ada, before spending the last 3 km on a smooth, wide track constructed by a prison labour gang between 1890 and 1892.
A short boat ride from Sandfly Point will take you to your journey’s end, with world-famous views of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi along the way.
Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video which takes you through how to prepare for this track. Including facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area.
You need to pay fees to stay at the huts on this track. Fees vary depending on when you go.
Prices are per person, per night. NZ rates are for New Zealand visitors and INT rates are for international visitors.
Date range | Adult NZ | Adult INT | Child NZ | Child INT | Infant NZ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 October 2024 – 30 April 2025 | $92 | $130 | $46 | $65 | Free |
1 May – 27 October 2025 | $25 | $25 | $12.50 | $12.50 | Free |
Proof of eligibility is required for the New Zealand rate.
In the Great Walks season (29 October 2024 – 30 April 2025, last departure 28 April 2025)
Book Milford Track huts online.
If you don’t have a valid booking for your stay, you may be charged a penalty, or turned away if the hut is full.
Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2025 – 27 October 2025)
Bookings are not required.
Bunks are first come, first served.
Payment is with Backcountry Hut Tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass – buy these from a DOC visitor centre before you go.
The Milford Track starts on Lake Te Anau. From Te Anau, take a bus or private transport to Te Anau Downs (30 minutes), then a boat trip to Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau (1 hour 15 minutes).
The track finishes at Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. Take a boat trip (20 minutes) to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where there are bus services back to Te Anau and on to Queenstown.
Transport must be booked in advance. There is no vehicle or private access to the start/end of the track.
View map of transport to book (PDF, 1,339K)
Transport services in FiordlandDuring the Great Walks season, full and partial transport packages are available from one of these independent operators. Contact the operator for further information.
There is no cellphone coverage.
It is not recommended for children under the age of 10, due to the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. Parts of the Milford Track are exposed, steep, slippery, rough and muddy. On the third day you will climb over 500 m to Omanui/McKinnon Pass and then descend 1000 m to Dumpling Hut. On the fourth day you must walk 18 km, reaching Sandfly Point in time to meet the early afternoon boat.
Weather conditions can change quickly in any season. Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall (up to 9000 mm per year). Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Be prepared for all conditions. Track closures are possible and may affect your travel itinerary. Travel insurance is recommended.
The risk of avalanche can extend into December. During the Great Walks season DOC manages this risk to a low level and walkers may be flown (at their cost) over dangerous sections.
Milford Track weather forecast – NIWA website
View current conditions on the Omanui/McKinnon Pass webcam
Milford Track in November – cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur anytime.
If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.
Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.
Didymo is present in Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound, but currently not in the pristine Clinton and Arthur rivers.
All visitors should take precautions to avoid spreading didymo. Be extra mindful when moving from the lake to the rivers along the Milford Track, and from the Fresh Water Basin in Milford Sound to the Arthur River.
Use the Check, Clean Dry guidelines to ensure didymo is not spread further. Do not take water from these areas, avoid filling water bottles and swimming here (in the rivers after swimming the lakes).
More information about preventing the spread of freshwater pests in Fiordland National Park.
You cannot buy food on the track. Carry all the meals and snacks you will need, plus some spare, and a water bottle. We recommend food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value.
We do not provide emergency food in huts. You will need to carry emergency food supplies in case you are delayed by weather.
Store your food in a rodent-proof container or bag.
Outdoor gear supplies and hire in Fiordland
For safety reasons the Milford Track doesn't operate as a Great Walk/Easier tramping track from May to late October. If attempting the Milford Track at that time, you'll need additional equipment:
This is outside the Great Walks season.
Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people.
May to early June (King’s Birthday weekend) is outside the Great Walks season. The track is unmanaged, more difficult, and there is higher risk from hazards like flooding.
Read the information below carefully and decide whether you want to walk the Milford Track outside the Great Walk season.
The Milford Track is not an all-weather track. Both the Clinton and Arthur Valleys become impassable during heavy rain, due to flooding. Heavy rain also increases the risk of landslides.
If you choose to walk the track outside the Great Walk season,– you need to understand the risks and have a plan for what to do if there is flooding.
There is no monitoring of weather forecasts and river levels outside of the Great Walk season. Trampers should monitor the severe weather on MetService for heavy rain in the Fiordland area.
If there is a heavy rain warning for Fiordland during your scheduled tramp dates:
There is no cell phone reception on the Milford Track. Carry a distress beacon and consider carrying an InReach, so you can communicate with your transport provider if you are delayed by weather.
Fiordland National Park experiences very high rainfall (up to 9000 mm per year). Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year – and will be more common in May and June than in the Great Walks season. Be prepared for all conditions.
It is not recommended for children under the age of 10, due to the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. Parts of the Milford Track are exposed, steep, slippery, rough and muddy.
On the third day you will climb over 500 m to Omanui/McKinnon Pass and then descend 1000 m to Dumpling Hut. On the fourth day you must walk 18 km, reaching Sandfly Point in time to meet the early afternoon boat.
This is outside the Great Walks season.
Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people
Milford Track winter tramping safety information (PDF, 1,183K)
Outside of the Great Walks season, hut fees are reduced and bookings are not required. Full information can be found in the fees and booking section for this track.
Many of the bridges across side streams are removed over winter to avoid damage from avalanches. These side streams can rise very quickly, so you must be competent at crossing large, swift, icy rivers.
Omanui/McKinnon Pass weather forecast – NIWA website
The track over Omanui/McKinnon Pass is not marked and is often covered in deep snow. You will need to have navigation and alpine skills to traverse this section of the track. View current conditions on the Omanui/McKinnon Pass webcam.
Thick snow blankets Omanui/McKinnon Pass
During the winter months Fiordland can be very wet and cold. Daylight is limited and the high mountains let little sunlight into the valleys. Alpine areas are usually covered in snow. Dress for these conditions.
The Milford Track is not an all-weather track. Both the Clinton and Arthur Valleys become impassable due to flooding, during heavy rain.
Heavy rain increases the risk of landslides. In spring (September – November) the snowmelt makes the rivers and side streams come up even faster. Heavy rain also triggers avalanches, increasing avalanche risk.
There is no monitoring of weather forecasts and river levels outside of the Great Walk season. Trampers should monitor the severe weather on MetService for heavy rain in the Fiordland area.
If there is a heavy rain warning for Fiordland during your scheduled tramp dates, then you should make alternative plans, as the track will become flooded/impassable during heavy rain.
If the heavy rain warning is:
The Milford Track is mainly complex avalanche terrain. Avalanches are frequent. There are over 57 avalanche paths, which may bring avalanche debris to the valley floor. Some of these have the potential to cross the Milford Track – their start zones cannot be seen from the track.
If you are going into places avalanches could occur, be sure you:
Maps of avalanche paths: Clinton Valley avalanche paths (JPG, 1,742K) | Arthur Valley avalanche paths (JPG, 1,703K)
All transport must be arranged before starting the track. During winter, transport operators require minimum numbers and do not always operate a daily service. Transport arrangements can be affected by bad weather. You must discuss an alternative option with transport operators before you begin your walk.
Contact a transport operator for information:
You need to be totally self-sufficient. In addition to what to take in the Great Walks season, you also need:
This is outside the Great Walks season.
Walking the track at this time should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped people.
Mid-September to late October (Labour weekend) is before the Great Walks season. You can expect higher avalanche risk and unbridged streams that flood often.
It is a more risky and difficult experience – read the information below carefully and decide if it is right for you.
Bridges over side streams are not installed until the Great Walks season. You will need to cross these streams without a bridge.
They flood often, especially in spring due to snow melt. This means you could be trapped by side streams becoming impassable and need to shelter until the stream drops again. Pack an emergency shelter.
Make sure you know the signs of an unsafe stream and have good river crossing skills. How to cross rivers safely.
The Milford Track is not an all-weather track. Both the Clinton and Arthur Valleys become impassable during heavy rain, due to flooding. Heavy rain also increases the risk of landslides.
There is no monitoring of weather forecasts and river levels outside of the Great Walk season. Trampers should check the severe weather on MetService for heavy rain in the Fiordland area.
No one should try and walk the track during a severe weather warning/watch, and it’s best to avoid it in early-mid Spring if heavy rain is forecast.
DOC does not manage avalanche risk outside the Great Walks season.
The Milford Track is mainly complex avalanche terrain. Avalanches are frequent. There are over 57 avalanche paths, which may bring avalanche debris to the valley floor. Some of these have the potential to cross the Milford Track – their start zones cannot be seen from the track.
We strongly advise staying out of the upper valleys during heavy rain, when it is snowing, or on a hot day following new snow.
Maps of avalanche paths:
Plan for an extra day on the track, so you are not on the track during a rainy day. If consistent rain is forecast for more than one day, we recommend changing your trip dates.
Do not book your flight home on the same day as you finish the track – rushing to get to a flight can lead trampers to make bad decisions about river crossings.
There is no cell phone reception on the Milford Track. Carry a distress beacon. Consider carrying a satellite communication device, such as an InReach, so you can communicate with your transport provider if you are delayed by weather.