Milford Sound Day Walks
Milford Sound offers many walking and tramping tracks for a range of abilities, time frames and experiences, ranging from short and easy access walks to long multi-day tramps like the Milford Track.
Milford Sound is a destination that is unlike any other you’ll find in New Zealand. Its unique volcanic and glacially carved landscape is filled with formidable peaks, deep glacially carved fiords and verdant rainforests littered with waterfalls.
Here we’ve compiled our pick of walks to suit a wide range of skill levels, from short walks through magical beech forests to thrilling ascents over steep rock slabs. Plus, you’ll also find handy tips and information that are essential for your Milford Sound adventure.
Milford Sound Walking Tracks
Discover the Best Walks in Milford Sound: A Comprehensive Guide
Milford Sound Foreshore Walk
This enjoyable short walk starts at the carpark in Milford Sound and wanders through beech forest and alongside the sandy foreshore area in Milford Sound. Learn more about the area through the interpretive visitor panels, relax and enjoy the sea air while watching the boats cruise past. You can find some of the best views of Mitre Peak along this route.
Time Estimate: 30 mins, loop track
Distance: 400 m
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for people of all abilities. Well defined path. Walking shoes recommended.
Milford Sound Lookout Track
No matter the weather, this short track is sure to impress. Walk through beautiful bush and vegetation, past the grave of Donald Sutherland (soldier and explorer) and enjoy beautiful views from the lookout towards Milford Sound and the township. The track is an easy loop walk and suitable for most visitors.
Time Estimate: 30 mins, loop track
Distance: 400 m
Difficult: Easy. Clearly marked trail. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots recommended.
Key Summit Track
The Key Summit is a highlight of the Routeburn Track, another of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This section is on an easy track, so it’s great for families, and offers spectacular views of Fiordland National Park. Wander through beech forest, alpine tussock, tarns and bogs, and keep an eye out for native birds. On clear days you can experience 360° panoramic views, south to Lake Te Anau and north past Mt Tutoko to Martins Bay.
Time Estimate: 3 hours
Distance: 3.4 km one way
Difficulty: Intermediate.
Marked trail. Light tramping/hiking boots recommended.
Grave Talbot Track
Starting at the twin one-lane bridges on the descent through the Cleddau Valley, about 7.5km from Milford Sound, this route follows the Gulliver River for a few kilometres before climbing up into the Esperance valley. Large rimu and beech trees line the Esperance River as it emerges into the grasslands at the base of rockwalls below Mt McPherson. This track can be shortened to an afternoon stroll along the Gulliver River.
Time: 3-4 hours (return)
Distance: 7km
Difficulty: Hard. Track is mostly unformed, may be rough and steep. Tramping/hiking boots recommended.
Gertrude Saddle
This is one of New Zealand’s most accessible alpine tracks, an exciting hike with sensational views to Milford Sound and the surrounding Darran Mountains. You should have previous alpine hiking and climbing experience to do this walk. The Gertrude Saddle route starts near the Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road. As you start the exhilarating climb you’ll also discover stunning waterfalls on rock faces as you and the mysterious Black Lake towards the top.
Time: 4-6 hours (return)
Distance: 7km return
Difficulty: Expert. Not suitable in wintery conditions.
Milford Track
The Milford Track takes four to five days to complete. It is known as the ‘finest walk in the world’ and is one of the nine New Zealand Great Walks. The track starts at Glade Wharf, located at the head of Lake Te Anau, and ends at Sandfly Point, which is a short boat ride away from Milford Sound. The track offers stunning views of Fiordland National Park’s natural wonders, including ice-carved valleys, mountain passes, glacier-fed rivers, forests, wetlands, and waterfalls.
Time: 4 days (one way)
Distance: 53.5 km (one way)
Difficulty: Intermediate. Track is generally well formed. Light tramping/hiking boots recommended.
