3 Beautiful Hikes in Milford Sound

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations with everything from kayak to helicopter tours around the Fiord. However, the beauty and majesty of Milford extends far beyond the water – if you’re visiting Fiordland National Park, you should also explore of one these three epic day hikes.

We actually considered not going down to Milford Sound at all on the first days of our trip. With such a long drive within the park (119km from Te Anau) plus more for the detour, we wondered how CZ would fare on the mountainous highways. Our goal was to keep driving time around 3 hours a day for the most pleasant trip for everyone, and we had already experienced the unpleasantness of a 3.5 hour drive day from Christchurch to Moeraki. Additionally, the weather in Milford Sound is notoriously wet and fickle. We wondered if it would be worth trudging through damp and muddy terrain.

But despite our initial reservations, Milford Sound proved to be one of our favourite stops. The drive from Te Anau was the opposite of a slog, it was an incredible journey filled with exciting bends in the road that would alternately open up into sweeping valleys or stunning mountain views. Numerous trailhead dot the road as you head towards the fiord. Below are our favourite day hikes in Fiordland National Park:

Hikes in Milford Sound – Key Summit

We paused at the Fiorland National Park Visitor’s Center in Te Anau to talk with the park rangers, and request their hiking recommendations. The top of their list (and now ours): Key Summit.

We tackled the 3 hour return hike one brilliant, clear afternoon in the park. The trail is actually the first section of the 32km Routeburn Track, and  if the short section we completed is indicative of the full trek, it is seriously astounding. However, I was not jealous of the overnight hikers and their heavy packs – JZ and I switched off carrying CZ who is not so light herself.

The trail winds through lush green alpine rainforest before breaking into the sunlight and zig-zagging up to the summit. I was surprised that the entire trail featured a slight upwards climb, with the Key Summit turn off considerably steeper. I noticed it more with a 20kg pack full of wriggling toddler, because most people don’t mention that the entire trail is uphill. Take my note with a grain of salt, if you only carry a water bottle and camera, you can whiz right to the top! Fortunately for us, the weather was still cool and we had unlimited water supplies. JZ relished in filling his LifeStraw bottle at the crisp, refreshing alpine waterfalls.

Once we arrived at the summit, we took a short break at the most picturesque reflecting lake. Then we continued on the short alpine nature trail. I had never seen anything comparable to the snow-capped mountain at the summit, the 360 degrees views were indescribable.

Hikes in Milford Sound – Lake Marian

If Key Summit is a must for the stunning mountain vistas, then Lake Marian is perfect for wetter days with lower visibility. The three-hour return hike traverses a swing bridge, around waterfalls, and up to the stunning alpine Lake Marian. We felt like we entered another world on the vibrant, lush, green paths following the river. CZ loved the motion on this swing bridge – I think it featured the greatest swing of all that we experienced!

Once we reached the waterfalls, we did not have enough time to continue the hike. CZ needed some time outside of the backpack to run before our long drive day. We admired the waterfalls and felt satisfied in our journey thus far. Plus, we had already seen the lake from Key Summit.

Hikes in Milford Sound – The Chasm

A short trail with a powerful reminder – Milford Sound receives 6,412 mm (252 in) of rain per year!! The powerful, rushing torrent jets over rocks and through tunnels, carving out potholes from sheer force.

The 20 minute return walk perfectly breaks up the long drive for a brief glimpse of the power of nature. The walk is a perfect toddler distance, and CZ enjoyed hanging on the bridge to gaze at the water below. While walking, you reach a fork in the path and choose to go up or down; however, the chasm is on a loop.