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Getting to Milford :
Milford Road Walks

Fiordland National Park is an area of wilderness and isolation. Please take all the necessary precautions when going on a walk or tramp. Wear appropriate footwear, carry water, food and warm clothing. The majority of the walks we have listed below are well marked, easy walks that will let you see the amazing rainforests of Fiordland from the safety of a track.

Lake Mistletoe

45 minutes return

An easy and level forest walk from Te Anau Downs.

Knobs Flat

Here an interpretive display shows the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and gives some information on the wildlife of the Eglington Valley.

Cascade Creek Nature Walk

45 minutes return

An easy loop walk to Lake Gunn, which is also wheelchair accessible. The walk provides an introduction to tall red beech forest and birdlife of the Eglington Valley. Side trips can be made to lake beaches and sheltered fishing spots.

Key Summit (917m)

2-3 hrs return

41 km from Milford Sound. The track starts at The Divide (514m) car park and shelter and follows the Routeburn Track for about an hour. It then branches off on a 20 minute climb to Key Summit, where there is a self guided alpine nature walk. Walkers will pass a range of native vegetation: beech forest, sub-alpine shrub lands, and alpine tarns and bogs. Birdlife is in abundance with tomtits, robins, wood pigeons and bellbirds are commonly seen. Key Summit provides panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains.

Humboldt Falls (Lower Hollyford Road)

30 minutes return

Turn off 36 km from Milford Sound. 18 km down the Hollyford Road at the very end of the road. The road is gravel for its entire length but relatively flat. A well graded track takes you on a short climb through rainforest to the lookout of the impressive Humboldt Falls (275m).

Lake Marian

20min return to cascades / 3 hours return to Lake Marian

37 km from Milford Sound. Turn left off the Milford Road onto Lower Hollyford Road. Car park is after 1 km on the left.

The track crosses a swing bridge and proceeds through mature beech forest. Viewing gantry is an elevated walkway beside beautiful small river large boulders covered with moss with great photographic opportunities. The track to this point is easy walking and well maintained. From the gantry up to Lake Marian is far more difficult and very muddy when wet. Lake Marian sits in a closed hanging glacial valley with spectacular scenery.

Gertrude Saddle (1410m)

4-6 hrs return

GOOD WEATHER WALK ONLY - Slippery rocks, bad visibility in clouds

21 km from Milford Sound. The track is not marked and starts at the Homer Hut car park about 1 km past the tunnel on the left. This easy stroll along the river bed to the end of Gertrude Valley (800m) turns into a steep climb, which takes you up to Black Lake and then Gertrude Saddle. In fine weather, it offers you spectacular views of Milford Sound and the Darran Mountains. High avalanche risk in winter and spring!

Homer Tunnel Alpine Walk

20 minutes return

20 km from Milford Sound. The signposted walk begins from the car park beside the tunnel on Te Anau (East) side. An easy loop walk, through granite boulders and scrub with excellent examples of alpine vegetation. Keas are often seen in residence at the car park. Parking area is in avalanche zone. Do not stop when avalanche-warning signs are displayed!

The Chasm

15 minutes return

9 km from Milford Sound. Two foot bridges over the Cleddau River offer spectacular views of a series of waterfalls. Thousands of years of swirling water have sculpted round shapes and basins in the rock.

Milford Lookout Walk

15 minutes return

Walk up the hill past Donald Sutherlands Grave, to get a beautiful view of the fjord and the town.

Milford Foreshore Walk

20 min return

Follow the boardwalk from Milford Sound car park. A wooden boardwalk takes you to the edge of fiord offering unimpeded views of the fiord and Mitre Peak in fine weather. This is a circular walk.

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