Lake Ta Anau on the Milford Track in New Zealand—huts book out fast, so planning this great walk is essential.gettyAs peak summer season comes to a close in the northern hemisphere, maybe it’s time to think about planning summer in the southern. So why not head to one of the most picturesque countries in the world, New Zealand, and tackle one of its most famous hikes, the Milford Track?This is the trail that The Spectator called “the finest walk in the world” over 100 years ago, and despite New Zealand having nine that The Guardian labels as “great”, the Milford Track is the most coveted. Indeed, more hikers are visiting than ever before. In 2025, 120,000 people hiked the Great Walks, a 12.4% increase over 2024 and nearly 50,000 more than ten years ago. As it becomes more popular, more people say the path is not what it used to be because of the growing number of visitors and overtourism. That said, numbers are strictly limited, as is the timing. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to visit this very special place.What Is The Milford Track?The Milford Track crosses 53.5 kilometers, or 33 miles, of Fiordland National Park, starting at Glade Wharf at Lake Te Anau and ending at Sandfly Point at Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. It’s a stunning journey through glacial valleys, ancient rainforest, wetlands and alpine landscapes. One of the highlights is crossing Mackinnon Pass before descending toward Milford Sound, with waterfalls and mountain views along the way.But the Milford Track is not a spontaneous hike. Its huts, boats and four-day itinerary must be booked in advance, and demand is high. The 2026–27 season opened for bookings in May, with the track reportedly selling out within 34 minutes. This would be a trip for 2027-28 at the earliest.When Is The Milford Track Open?The main Milford Track season runs from November to April, with the final departure possible a couple of days before. This is when the route has regular transport services, staffed huts and the infrastructure most visitors would be looking for. December through February are the busiest when conditions are generally more manageable, but Fiordland is famously wet, and weather can change quickly.Outside the walking season, the Milford Track is more demanding, to say the least. From May through October, there are no Department of Conservation rangers, facilities are reduced, some bridges may be removed, and conditions may include snow, flooding and avalanche risk. To be clear, official instructions say “It can be cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours. Walking the track should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people with alpine, river crossing and navigation skills.”How Long Is The Milford Track In Time And Distance?The standard Milford Track itinerary takes four days and three nights. It is possible to run it in one day, but most walkers stay overnight at Clinton Hut, Mintaro Hut and Dumpling Hut.The Milford Track stages are approximately:Day one: Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut, 5 kilometers/3 miles.Day two: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut, approximately 17 kilometers/10.5 miles.Day three: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut, approximately 13 to 14 kilometers/8-9 miles, including Mackinnon Pass.Day four: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point, approximately 18 kilometers/11 miles.Each Milford Track hut has bunks, mattresses, toilets and cooking facilities. Hikers must bring their own food, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and personal supplies. There are no shops or restaurants along the route.How Much Does The Milford Track Cost?During the season, hut bookings on the Milford Track are mandatory. The current international visitor price is NZ$152 (approximately $91) per adult per night, making the three hut nights NZ$456 ($272) before transport, food and equipment.A guided Milford Track option is also available. These trips use private lodges and generally include meals, transport and equipment support, but they cost considerably more than the independent Department of Conservation hut experience.How Do You Get To The Milford Track?The Milford Track cannot be accessed by private vehicle at either end. Most hikers travel to Te Anau first, then arrange a boat transfer to Glade Wharf. At the other end of the Milford Track, travelers take a boat from Sandfly Point across Milford Sound, then continue by coach.While travel time to New Zealand from the U.S. is considerable, one advantage is that most flights leave in the evening from U.S. airports, so you could head straight to the plane from work without losing a day of holiday. The flight takes around 14 hours from Houston or Los Angeles—you may feel more jet lag on the return journey, so leave at least a day to recover if you can afford to.What Should You Pack For The Milford Track?The Milford Track is a wet, remote mountain walk, so waterproofing is essential. Notably, travelers should have a waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, sturdy, broken-in hiking boots, a sleeping bag, a headlamp and spare batteries, cooking equipment and lightweight food, and a water bottle or hydration system. In addition, hikers should carry a first-aid kit and personal medication, insect repellent, sun protection and waterproof bags or dry bags for clothing and electronics.The Milford Track can receive heavy rain, and wet-weather gear is not optional. Pack for deteriorating conditions even if the forecast looks favorable.Why Book The Milford Track Now?The Milford Track is an ideal Southern Hemisphere summer adventure, but its popularity means it requires more planning than many travelers expect. The huts are limited in number, the route is one-way, and neither end is accessible by car.That inconvenience is part of the Milford Track’s appeal as it offers a carefully managed journey through a genuinely wild landscape. More importantly, if you want to walk Milford Track during the next New Zealand summer, now is the time to start planning.MORE FROM FORBESForbesThe New €1 House Program In Naro, SicilyBy Alex LedsomForbesWhy Travelers Are Splitting Their Vacations In TwoBy Alex LedsomForbesExtreme Heat Is Slowly Pushing Summer EU Travel Toward CoolcationsBy Alex Ledsom