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The Milford Track is one of the most popular treks in New Zealand.

To start the trek one must first arrive in Te Anau, a small town that can be reached in about two hours from Queenstown by the convenient 7:20 a.m. bus. As soon as I arrived in Te Anau, I left all the things I did not need at the YHA Hostel, where I would sleep when I returned from the trek. Afterwards, I went to the supermarket to buy everything I needed (not only food for lunch and dinners, but also rental of cooking pots and a plate, since only stoves are found in the huts)

This trek is part of the most beautiful treks in the world!

Day 1 of the Milford Track: Glade Wharf – Clinton Hut

After arranging all the necessary things for the trek, I went to the government center in Te Anau, which is the meeting point. This is indeed where the reservation is checked, and afterwards we leave by boat to Glade Wharf, where the trek begins. The first day’s walk is really short and one easily arrives at Clinton Hut.

Day 2 of the Milford Track: Clinton Hut – Mintaro Hut

The second day is definitely longer. On the official website the trail is 16km, but starting to do a few laps around the beautiful lagoons easily brings it up to almost 20. However, the trail is practically flat: only at the end, near the Mintaro Hut, does it begin to climb slightly.

Day 3 of the Milford Track: Mintaro Hut – Dumpling Hut

This is definitely the best day of the Milford Track .. Despite a heavy rain, I quickly climbed up to the 1,000 meters of Mackinnon Pass: here I was greeted by kea, typical local birds, and a beautiful view. At the end of the descent, there is a detour leading to Sutherland Falls: these waterfalls, which with a triple drop reach an altitude of 580 meters, are truly wonderful! From here you reach Dumpling Hut in about an hour and a half.

Day 4 of the Milford Track: Dumpling Hut – Sandfly Point

This is a walk of about twenty kilometers that passes through distinctly green valleys and continuous waterfalls. There is no shortage of ups and downs, but it is pleasant to walk through these landscapes made lush by abundant rain (the Milford, with its 7000 mm of annual rainfall, is one of the wettest places on the planet). Thus we arrive at Sandfly Point, the official end of the Milford Track trek. From here you take a boat to Milford Sound.

IN ADDITION TO THE MILFORD TRACK YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN….

Tongariro Crossing!

Roy’s Peak!

Ben Lomond!

A travel itinerary to New Zealand!

MILFORD TRACK: ROUTE AND RESERVATION

The Milford Track is a four-day trek about 53 km long: the elevation gain is not challenging (the most difficult day is the third, when you cross the 1,000-meter Mackinnon Pass)

High season is from late October to late April: it is feasible to walk the trail out of season but it becomes more complicated due to reduced services and worse weather

You need to book well in advance on the official website. Each of the three huts has 40 beds, and one must necessarily complete this trek in four days/three nights.

You need to make reservations in advance for the ferry to the beginning of the trek and the ferry from Sandfy Point to Milford Sound

MILFORD TRACK: ORGANIZATION AND BACKPACKING

It is a trek to be done on your own: you need to get organized both with maps (but the route is easy to locate) and food (including pots and dishes)

There are always bathrooms, no showers.

What needs to be brought to the Milford Track? The backpack should be as light as possible. Generally, for such a trek, even a 40-liter backpack of about 8-10 kilograms may suffice. I brought sleeping bag, 3 underpants, 2 merino socks, 2 technical T-shirts (“marathon” style), 2 long-sleeved jerseys (preferably merino wool, it keeps the heat better), high mountain boots, a short pair of shorts, high mountain pants, a sweatshirt, a fleece, a windbreaker, a kway, gloves, sunglasses, hat and neck warmer, pots and pans and food. I brought what I needed to eat for three days: the menu was very simple, namely bread and salmon for lunch and spaghetti aglio e olio for dinner. Water is drinkable in all huts. Essential is the kway.

As you may have noticed, this trek is not difficult either technically or in terms of elevation: on the other hand, it can become quite hostile due to weather conditions, as it rains often. Still, it is a beautiful trek, and it allows you to disconnect from the world for five days (including the day in Milford Sound)

MILFORD TRACK: MILFORD SOUND AND TE ANAU

In Milford Sound I slept and ate at the Milford Sound Lodge, recommended! Here you can take a nice cruise in the fjord, as well as a beautiful kayak tour (must do: Roscos company is great!).

In Te Anau I had a good pasta at Toni’s and drank an excellent caipirinha at Redcliffe bar; YHA hostel is definitely recommended (I was able to leave unneeded things for the Milford Track)