Several years back, Bev and I made the 33 mile Milford Track, considered by many to be the world’s greatest wilderness walk. Limited to groups of 40 every departure date, we found this 4-day/3 night trek to be among the most exhilarating outdoor activities we have experienced anywhere. The various flora/fauna and the contrasts of lush, verdant valleys with mountain vistas are magnificent. The Spartan, yet very comfortable, overnight lodges (sorry, no Peninsula here!) offer tasty, robust food and a fun group dynamic. With a limited October-April season, the Milford Track should be booked 5-6 months in advance.
Hiking and idyllic walks being among our favorite Lynch Family global travel activities, we feel New Zealand’s extraordinary “Milford Track” to be truly the “finest walk in the world(!),” as proclaimed by the poet Blanche Baughan over 100 years ago. Located in the picturesque mountains and temperate rainforests of Fiordland National Park, on New Zealand’s South Island, this is one of the globe’s great family outdoor hiking adventures.
We fully agree with Trinity College professor Shane O’Mara’s observation of the remarkable benefits of walking: “Walking improves our moods, our clarity of thought, our creativity, as well as our humanity and connectedness to our social and natural worlds. Walk we must and walk we should!”
The medium level difficulty 33 mi trail (for ages 11 and above) starts at the head of Lake Te Anau (near Queenstown) and ends at otherworldly Milford Sound, traversing lush, green rainforests, wetlands and a striking alpine pass.
Though spartan, the fully staffed, clean Milford Track en-route lodges (Glade House, Pompolona Lodge, Quintin Lodge, and Mitre Peak Lodge) offer a casual, congenial atmosphere, along with delicious and healthy local New Zealand dishes.
Operating from late October 2023 to April 30, 2024, the Milford Track is limited to only 40 people per day (bookings must be made several months in advance) with the entire trek lasting 3 nights/4 days.
