A group organised Milford Track Trail Run, sharing the logistics of an otherwise tricky and expensive solo mission.
WHEN : 2024/25 Great Walk Season – Dates TBC
WHERE : Milford Track, Piopiotahi, Fiordland National Park.
Track Distance : 53.5 km one way, point to point.
Starts : Sandfly Point, Milford Track. This requires a drop-off via water taxi from Deepwater Basin in Milford. The water taxi crossing is 5-10 minutes and costs $55 per person. Each boat can take a maximum of 10 passengers and the first to depart is 7:30am (due to sunrise in March).
Note: Milford is a 117km drive from Te Anau (taking approx 1hr 40min, please allow 2hrs). Land transport options to follow below.
Extras : Potential side mission to Sutherland Falls, the impressive falls dropping 580m in 3 leaps from Lake Quill. A definite highlight that is worth the effort, but only if you are confident it will not jeopardise your finish time. The out and back will add 4.5km to your run (2.25km each way) and 45-50 minutes for a medium-fast trail runner. The Sutherland Falls track starts from Quintin Shelter and is flat before turning into a rough trail. Approximately half the distance is runnable, with stairs and rocks slowing you to a walk in parts. There is also a steeper climb up onto the upper terrace. The return journey is easier and quicker.
Finishes : Glade Wharf at the end of the Milford Track where a water taxi pick up will take runners to Te Anau Downs. The water taxi leaves Glade Wharf at 5pm (this time is usually only available to group bookings, otherwise runners must meet the the last Day Hikers boat that departs at 4pm). It takes about 1 hour to transport passengers to the Downs. The Glade boat can take a maximum of 14 passengers and the cost for this journey is $99 per person. If we can confirm 12 passengers, the later 7pm boat will also be made available for the same price of $99 per person. If there are fewer than 12 people, the 7pm boat will be charged at a higher charter rate and the payable fare will be divided evenly amongst the runners requiring it. Te Anau is a 33km (~24min) drive from Te Anau Downs. Land transport options to follow below.
Note: If a runner/s misses the 5pm boat and a 7pm boat has not been booked, the boat will return to uplift the passengers, however these passengers will be responsible for paying the full charter rate between them.
Track Elevation : approx. 1,755 meters Elev. Gain (Highest Point MacKinnon Shelter at 1105m).
Milford Track Information via Department of Conservation
Huts & Shelters : The track has several huts and shelters owned by either DOC or Ultimate Hikes. The Ultimate Hike huts are privately owned and are only available to their Guided Walk cliental. These include Quintin Lodge, Pompolona Lodge and Glade House. These and other shelters labeled ‘Guided Walkers Only’ are off-limits except in cases of emergencies. The DOC huts include (in order) Dumpling Hut, Mintaro Hut and Clinton Hut. Dumpling Hut is on the main track, the other two are a 5-20 minute walk off the track on a secondary path, but well signposted. All shelters marked ‘Independent Hikers’ are available for access.
Distance between DOC Huts:
Sandfly Point to Dumpling Hut : 18km
Dumpling Hut to Mintaro Hut via Mackinnon Pass : 13km
Mintaro Hut to Clinton Hut : 17.5km
Clinton Hut to Glade Whalf : 5km
Land Transport : EasyHikes can arrange same day car relocations (if time/dates are available and booked in far enough in advance). Relocations of a private or rental vehicle from Milford to Te Anau Downs is approx $299 through EasyHikes. If all runners in the group would like the bus option, we can arrange this for transport from Te Anau or The Downs with drop off at Deepwater Basin in Milford (the water taxi departure) and this costs are approximately $50 per person.
Cost Summary: Per above, the full cost for water taxis (x2) at each end of the track is $154 per person total. Should a 7pm boat be required, additional costs may be payable, and vary on circumstances and numbers. Other additional costs include transport to Milford – potential group bus, fuel or car relocation. Estimated prices listed above. There may also be an optional group dinner meet-and-greet at a local restaurant the evening before and each attendee will be required to pay for their own meal. Travel to and accomodation in Te Anau is also at the expense of each runner.
There is no cost payable for joining the Group Run itself. All water taxi refunds and/or cancellations of costs listed above are subject to the third party company T&C’s.
Responsibility: By joining this group organised run, runners agree to take responsibility and liability for their own actions and safety. This is a ‘Group Organised’ run and not a ‘Group Run’, so runners can choose to stay together, in smaller groups, or move through the track at their own pace. We will co-ordinate and facilitate the group communications and help organise the transport logistics, however as a non-commercial ‘event’, we are not liable for any individuals costs, the safety, or the actions of the individuals. The saying still runs true; look after and look out for one another, no mission is worth getting seriously hurt over, and don’t be a dick!
Gear & Safety : Runners should bring and carry with them the equivalent of Alpine Trail Event Compulsory Gear, plus first aid (insect repellant!) and nutrition. There is a high chance you will get rained on on the Milford Track. The area at the Glade Wharf finish is also exposed to elements and there is no shelter structure at this end. If you end up waiting for a boat, you will need dry warm clothes and we suggest you put them all on! There must be a PLB and/or a Garmin inReach per person/couple/break off group. If you are sharing a device, you must stay together for the entirety of the track (this is a new rule enforced by the water taxi company). It is essential for safety but also communicating delays with the water taxi as there is currently no mobile or data coverage in Milford, on the Milford Track, or at Glade Wharf. There are DOC Rangers (except on Ranger change over days) and First Aid kits at Dumpling Hut, Mintaro Hut and Clinton Hut with comms and helicopter access for medical emergencies and evacuations. Be aware, DOC and ‘Independent Hiker’ huts are open to the public, however the accomodation and sleeping quarters at the DOC Huts are for paying pre-booked hikers only. Please be respectful of DOC facilities. Huts and shelters for ‘Guided Walkers’ are also off-limits except in case of emergencies (please see ‘Huts & Shelters’ section above).
Other : Runners are responsible for the organisation, booking and payment of their own transport and accomodation to and from, and while staying in Te Anau/Fiordland. These are not part of the group arranged logistics, however once the runners are connected, you may choose to share or arrange travel and/or accomodation with others. Questions welcome and we’ll do our best to share our local knowledge and make recommendations.
Important : The Milford Track is a tough 54km run/hike. Runners need to ensure that running and/or hiking the track in a single day, and in the timeframe between water taxi’s, is within their capabilities. It is advisable that runners should always be in the company of at least one other. Accidents and injuries can happen, but arriving first and foremost without the required physical fitness puts other runners at risk of injury, exposure and/or missing their transport. It is doable, but please have this as a consideration. Runners are responsible for their own, but also the collective groups, health and safety during the run.
Interested? If you are keen to join and share the logistics with a group during the 2024/25 Great Walk Season send us an email to be added to the contact list or subscribe to the newsletter. For group comms and planning we use WhatsApp.
Due to boat capacity the group will be limited to 24 max. (12 each boat out, 5pm and 7pm).
