The 54-kilometre Milford Track is New Zealand's most famous long-distance walking track through some of the finest and most scenic parts of South Island.
World Heritage area
The Milford Track is in the heart of Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand, World Heritage area.
Glacial valleys and stunning waterfalls lie along the route which ends at Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations.
Reservations required
Milford Track starts near Te Anau (by road about two hours from Queenstown and close to 11 hours from Christchurch) and takes four days to walk with overnight stops at huts along the way.
You have to have a reservation to walk the Milford Track and you must stay at the designated huts on the three nights of the trek.
Accommodation available
The reservation requirements are to make sure the track is not overcrowded at any one time and that accommodation is available at the designated huts.
You can walk independently or as part of a tour group. Accommodation for independent and tour-group hikers is in separate huts.
Because of the limited number of hikers allowed on the Milford Track, it is important to book ahead of time.
Summer and off-season walks
The summer season walks fill up quickly, particularly December and January. The season starts in late October and ends in late April.
Off-season walks are subject to freezing temperatures and inclement weather and it is advisable that only seasoned hikers undertake them.
Boat sections
The beginning and end of the Milford Track are not accessible by road, so you would need to go by boat through Lake Te Anau to reach the start of the track; you'd need to take another boat at Sandfly Point at the end of the track to reach the Milford launch terminal.
Bookings
Bookings for the Milford Track may be made with your travel agent or with tour agencies in Queenstown, Christchurch and other New Zealand travel centres.
You can also book online for guided tours with and for independent hikes with New Zealand's Department of Conservation.
