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Insider Journeys: Milford Track Hike
Read about our Founder's recent hike on the multi-day Milford Track hike, finishing with a touch of luxury at Fiordland Lodge
By Walk into Luxury
Walk Overview
The Milford Track is a guided walk through Fiordland National Park, covering 54 kilometers from Lake Te Anau (two hours from Queenstown) to Milford Sound (five hours by road from Queenstown) over four days. The journey follows a well-formed wilderness trail past waterfalls, rivers and valleys, and across the famed Mackinnon Pass, before reaching Milford Sound. A two-hour Milford Sound cruise with views of Mitre Peak is a fitting end to what was once labelled, the finest walk in the world. Walk into Luxury's signature Milford journey combines four days completing the Milford Track, staying in comfortable eco-lodges along the trail, with a post-walk touch of luxury at Fiordland Lodge. The two night lodge stay post-hike allows time to recharge and ease sore muscles in the fabulous outdoor hot tub. It also breaks up the return journey to Queenstown - with Fiordland Lodge conveniently perched half-way between Milford Sound and Queenstown. After your all-inclusive lodge stay, a private transfer back to Queenstown concludes your Walk into Luxury journey.
As WiL's founder, I am incredibly fortunate to have hiked a lot of trails in a lot of wonderful places. The Milford Track is one I rate as among the best in the world. The variety of landscapes and scenery is astounding, from lush rainforest and crystal-clear rivers, waterfalls and hanging glaciers, to alpine meadows and dramatic mountain summits. Personal highlights for me include the peaceful Clinton River, which we followed on day two; the rewarding ascent to Mackinnon Pass on day three - where I also spotted my first Kea (New Zealand's native mountain parrot); and the waterfalls on day four - Sutherland Falls (New Zealand's tallest), Mackay Falls, and Giants Gate were favourites.
Accommodation over the four day hike is in four private lodges owned by Ultimate Hikes —Glade House, Pompolona Lodge, Quintin Lodge, and Mitre Peak Lodge—each offer ensuite rooms and daily meals, including breakfasts, packed lunches, and three-course dinners. These lodges provide a comfortable retreat after each day's hike, allowing walkers to recharge and dry gear in heated drying rooms for the next stage of the journey. The lodges - and the Milford Track - is not accessible by road, so the silence and connection to the landscape at night is a special part of the Milford Track experience.
Guided by experienced professionals, the walk is well-supported, and the lodge staff are great.
What we loved - Milford Track Hike
The magnificence of the scenery on the Milford Track is something that can’t be captured in pictures. Everything seems amplified here, from the scale of the mountains rising on either side of the valley, to the purity of the crystal-clear rivers and colour of the vibrant moss-covered rainforest.
It really is a pristine wilderness area and a special place to immerse yourself in over a multi-day hike. Some of the scenery highlights for me and my hubby included the peaceful Clinton River which was filled with trout easily spotted through the clear waters from our position of the trail ...
...the misty mountain climb to Mackinnon’s Pass on day three, which was as expected - very wet - but enjoyable none the less ...
...and the swing bridges and waterfalls dotted throughout the walk.
Every day was different and had us getting our camera out way too often. A final highlight of our Milford Track experience was the two-hour cruise on Milford Sound, where we spotted wildlife like NZ fur seals and birdlife, and got up close to waterfalls on the Sound.
What we loved - Fiordland Lodge
Ending a multi-day wilderness hike with two days of luxury at Fiordland Lodge was, for us, the perfect combination. We loved using the hot tub at Fiordland Lodge to sooth our sore legs and enjoyed a celebratory glass of bubbles on arrival. Dinner was a highlight with pre-dinner canapes where we met some other lodge guests, followed by three courses of local kiwi produce. It was just what we needed to relax and mark the completion of such as special hike, before returning to Queenstown.
What surprised us?
The generous dinners and quality of cooking at the Milford Track lodges was a wonderful surprise. Three course dinners were served each night showcasing all-local produce, with the option to purchase beer or wine from the bar to enjoy in the lounge or with dinner. It was akin to a restaurant experience, but we were in the middle of the wilderness.
The size of the walking group on the Milford Track was something we knew about in advance, but it is something that surprised some others on our hike. Unlike most 'small group walks', the Milford Track hike allows up to 48 hikers on the walk each day, with four guides interspersed throughout the group. It is a unique style of guided walk where everyone finds their own pace, and spreads out. For those who enjoy a quiet walk, you can find your own space and feel like you’re hiking independently, but with the comfort of knowing a guide is up ahead to show you the way or answer questions as needed. We actually liked this approach, as it was nice to have the chance to get to know different guides and guests over the course of the four days.
Recommended experiences
For those looking to take their Milford experience to the next level, a scenic helicopter flight over Milford Sound and back to Fiordland Lodge is an unforgettable option to consider (speak to your WiL journey designer about adding this option in advance). Seeing the fiords and track from above, with soaring peaks and waterfalls, gave us an entirely new perspective of the vastness of this landscape. Touching down at the lodge after the flight is pretty special, and you'll also skip the 2-3 hour transfer by road doing it this way!
If you’re still craving adventure, the Kepler heli-hike is a must-do addition, accessibly from Fiordland Lodge. A short 15 minute helicopter ride is all it takes to access a remote section of the Kepler Track, another of New Zealand’s Great Walks. and you can choose whether to hike 8km or 16km if you're running low on energy post your milford experience.
What’s Nearby?
Since the Milford Track journey begins and ends in Queenstown, it’s easy to add a few extra nights here before or after the hike. We recommend exploring Central Otago’s wineries or simply enjoying the vibrant lakeside town. This journey also pairs well with time in Wanaka, the Ahuriri Valley, and Mt Cook. For the ultimate extended walking journey, we suggest combining your Milford Track hike with our signature journey to the Ahuriri Valley which includes some of our favourite day hikes on the South Island based from luxury lodge, The Lindis.
