Milford Track

The Milford Track, New Zealand's best-known trail, is 54km long and can be walked in 4-5 days. It begins at Glade House, near the north end of Lake Te Anau, and at first follows the Clinton River. It then continues through rain forest and an alpine landscape, going over the Mackinnon Pass, passing the wild and romantic Sutherland Falls and finally running down into the valley of the Arthur River.

The track, which is usable from November to March, may be walked only in one direction, from Glade House to Milford Sound; walking in the opposite direction is not allowed. Walkers going on their own must put their names down at the Fiordland National Park office. Guided walks can be booked through travel agencies. The return from Milford Sound to Te Anau, after the usual boat trip, is by bus. In view of the high probability of rain suitable protective clothing should be taken. Insect repellent is also essential equipment, for the tiny black sandflies are a perpetual plague. The Maori tradition is that the goddess of death created sandflies in order to sour people's enjoyment of the perfect beauty of the landscape.