Planning to go on a hike in Milford Sound? Then Lake Marian Track is your hike! You have multiple options in this beautiful area, but my absolute highlight was Lake Marian. The walk to get there is challenging, but the view you’re rewarded with is magical. The photo at the top of this blog says it all, doesn’t it? You can easily spend days exploring all the stops and different trails along the Milford Sound Highway, but if you only have time for one hike in Milford Sound, then this is the one!
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What makes Lake Marian special?
Lake Marian is a beautiful lake in a so-called hanging valley that was formed long ago by glacier movement. The hike to get there is a challenging walk through the forests that Fiordland is rich in and takes about 3 hours round trip, even though it’s only 6.2 km long. The beautiful clear blue water combined with the snow-capped mountains, the green surroundings, and on rainy days even small waterfalls from the mountain: fill in yourself how special that is!
What’s especially nice: Lake Marian is fairly unknown and not so easy to reach. Most tourists don’t go beyond the many cruise boats that go into the harbor (which you should definitely do too!). That’s why you can enjoy this beautiful lake in peace without the crowds that Milford Sound knows in summer.
The start of the Lake Marian Track
Your hike starts at the Lake Marian Trail Carpark, where you logically also park your car or camper. Parking here is free. Keep in mind that it’s already 1 hour and 10 minutes drive (by car) and about 90 km from Te Anau (the nearest village). So always make sure you have a full tank before driving into Milford Sound. We were here in December and had no problem parking the car.
A quiet start at Marian Falls
The trail starts nice and easy: you first walk across a suspension bridge to then arrive at Marian Falls via a beautifully constructed path. Here you’re immediately treated to a beautiful waterfall. You can already see how beautifully clear the water is here. This water comes from Lake Marian, where you’ll be climbing to during this hike.
This path, however, is not typical for the rest of the hike. Very soon you notice that as you continue past the waterfall, the nice path is quickly replaced by a stony trail. From here you only walk on an uneven path. No more nicely constructed paths, but a real forest hike where you climb upwards!
Follow the orange markers on the Lake Marian Track
The photo above tells the story of the hike: nice climbing and scrambling to Lake Marian! Sometimes you have to look carefully to see how your route continues, but actually it’s almost impossible to miss. The next hour you’ll be busy making your way through the forested area to reach Lake Marian. So please make sure you have good shoes with ankle support. Your white sneakers are really not suitable for this hike!
You have to climb a small vertical section…
About two-thirds into the route, you’ll find the hardest, or most fun part of the hike. You can make of it what you want. But here you literally have to climb upwards. There’s no alternative. Grab onto the trees and branches and work your way up. Other hikers have made it, so you will too!
Keep in mind that you have to take the same route back. So remember how you got up there.
After climbing nearly 400 elevation meters, you finally arrive at Lake Marian. Here it’s time to enjoy the magnificent view. I hope for you that you encounter just as beautiful weather as I did that day!
It’s possible to take a dip in Lake Marian. Do keep in mind that the water will be ice-cold. It’s glacier meltwater, after all. Brrrr!
Short time in Milford Sound? 2 days is ideal
There’s a lot to do in Milford Sound. I therefore recommend spending at least 2 full days discovering this unique place in New Zealand. The many stops with highlights and several cool hikes, including the Lake Marian Track and Key Summit Track, quickly fill up your day. Of course you also have the many cruise boats that go into Milford Sound harbor. Here’s how we did it:
| Day | Activities |
| Day 1 | – Return from our Doubtful Sound Cruise – Viewed all highlights along the road – Booked the last cruise of the day |
| Day 2 | – Morning: Key Summit Track – Afternoon: Lake Marian Track |
If you really have little time in Milford Sound and have to choose just one hike? Choose the Lake Marian Track. The view is much cooler than that of the Key Summit Track. Do keep in mind that you’ll have to do some climbing and scrambling here and there. If you prefer a well-constructed path, then I’d recommend the popular Key Summit Track.
Have fun!
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