Trekking in Milford Track

Called the finest walk in the world since the 1900s, the Milford Track still lives up to it — largely because a strict quota keeps it feeling wild. Only forty walkers set off each day in one direction, so over four days through Fiordland you rarely see a crowd: rainforest, the Mackinnon Pass, and Sutherland Falls dropping in three great leaps.

Because this is one of the wettest inhabited places on earth, the rain is part of the experience rather than a spoiler — within an hour of a downpour the entire valley wall turns to waterfalls, and the track becomes something few walkers ever see. It ends, fittingly, at Milford Sound.

Great Walk bookings open on a set date months ahead and the whole season sells out within minutes to hours; the itinerary is fixed, huts are booked, and you walk one way only. Secure the booking first — everything else about the trip is the easy part.

Called the finest walk in the world since the 1900s, and it still lives up to it — largely because a strict quota keeps it feeling wild.

Only forty walkers set off each day in one direction, so over four days through Fiordland you rarely see a crowd: rainforest, the Mackinnon Pass, and Sutherland Falls dropping in three great leaps.

Because this is one of the wettest inhabited places on earth, rain is part of the experience rather than a spoiler — within an hour of a downpour the whole valley wall turns to waterfalls. The itinerary is fixed, the huts are booked, and it ends, fittingly, at Milford Sound.

Secure the booking first — everything else about the trip is the easy part. Great Walk bookings open on a set date months ahead and the whole season sells out within minutes to hours, so be ready the moment they release.

You walk one direction only on a fixed itinerary, staying in booked huts on set nights, in the season from roughly October to April. Reach the start by boat across Lake Te Anau.

Come prepared for serious rain whatever the forecast, with proper waterproofs, and reasonable hill fitness for the pass. It is intermediate-to-advanced walking, manageable for fit families, but the weather is the wild card.