Milford Sound

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JuneSmiles
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5 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Milford Track - Great Walk

  • August 26, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Guanilo from Mclean, Virginia
Milford Track - Great Walk

The Milford Track is oft times described as the "loveliest walk in the world". I don't know about the world, but it is pretty darn good. It's a five day, 33.5 mile hike (but don't worry - it's nowhere near as bad as that might sound) over Mackinnon Pass from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound.

This is not a hike like most people from the US are going to recognize. For one thing, the popularity of the trip is such that the NZ government restricts access to the trail (you have to book a ticket well in advance), and you can only go in one direction. In our circumstance, we were planning in a hurry; the only way we could get tickets to the trail in a way that would work with our schedule was to use the guided hike approach.

Now, let's be perfectly clear on this: The guided hike approach is _not_ hiking. Don't get me wrong; it was great fun, but it's not hiking. Every night, we had to deal with lodges containing:

* A clean room, completely with ensuite bathroom.
* Hot showers.
* A queen bed.
* Wash and drying facilities.
* A three course meal for dinner - including alcohol.
* A full breakfast in the morning.

Not what you might call roughing it. Nor particularly cheap (about $1,850 US per person). So, if you take the guided approach and they tell you that you don't need a lot of gear, believe them. You can get away with two or three changes of clothes, toiletries, foul weather gear and any creature comforts you might want to put on your back (www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/Milford_Track/what_to_bring.asp).

Still, you have to walk the distance. The first day starts with a short boat ride across Lake Te Anau, followed by a one mile walk. The second day is an easy 10 miler through the woods and into a valley over mostly flat terrain. There's even a swimming hole into which you can jump to cool off. Only the third day is truly hard (that's when you go over the pass). That day is maybe 2,000 feet of elevation change, but it's pretty gradual on the way up. The way down is a bit more abrupt, but it's nothing that a person of moderate fitness shouldn't be able to handle. The 4th day is the long one, with 13 miles of almost completely flat terrain to cross. It's easier than the climb, but harder on the muscles.

The fifth day is actually not a hike; rather, a day cruise out to the mouth of Milford Sound is in order, with the boat typically attracting dolphins, penguins, and seals to frolic about the waters. Then a bus ride back to Queenstown.

From journal 2005 Trip to New Zealand

Milford Track - Great Walk

  • March 13, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by JuneSmiles from Dublin, Ireland
It's out of this world. The scenery is stunning. The closeness to nature is really enjoyable, and there is a great unity among other walkers. During the summer months, the numbers of walkers is tightly controlled and everyone walks in the same direction - it helps retain the feeling of isolation.

From journal Magic of Milford

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