Trail comparison

Milford Track vs Routeburn Track: Which Should You Hike?

Choose Milford Track if you want a fixed four-day, hut-based walk through rainforest and valleys with one big alpine pass day; choose Routeburn Track if you prefer a shorter route of roughly 32-33 km that spends more time in open alpine basins and can be walked in two to three days.

Wooden boardwalk winding through moss-draped rainforest beside a wide glacial river on a misty morning

Milford Track and Routeburn Track at a glance

Milford Track is a 53.5 km one-way walk in Fiordland, run over four days between fixed huts, and it ends at a boat pickup. Routeburn Track is a point-to-point route of about 32-33 km in the Southern Alps, usually walked in two to three days. Both are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), both are Great Walks, and both cross a high, exposed pass, so hikers often compare them.

	Milford Track	Routeburn Track
Place	Fiordland · South Island, New Zealand	Southern Alps · South Island, New Zealand
Distance	53.5 km / 33.2 mi, point-to-point (one direction only)	~32-33 km one-way (The Divide to Routeburn Shelter/Glenorchy, or reverse), typically walked in 2-3 days
Elevation gain	High point Mackinnon Pass ~1,154 m (3,786 ft) above sea level from near-sea-level trailheads; total cumulative ascent over the 4-day track is commonly cited around 1,700 m (5,600 ft) for the whole route	~1,300-1,400 m cumulative (some sources cite up to ~2,130 m if the optional Conical Hill side trip is included)
Difficulty	Moderate to strenuous (DOC Great Walk grade; the Mackinnon Pass crossing on day 3 is the hard day)	Moderate to challenging (Great Walk grade; DOC recommends backcountry experience, especially outside the guaranteed Great Walks season)
Route type	thru-hike	point-to-point
Official season	1 November to 30 April (Great Walk season; 2026/27 dates on the DOC page); outside it, off-season conditions apply	November to April (Great Walk season; check DOC for exact dates)
Managed by	Department of Conservation (DOC)	Department of Conservation (DOC)

Effort and difficulty

Milford Track is the longer commitment at 53.5 km (33.2 mi), with a high point of Mackinnon Pass at about 1,154 m (3,786 ft) and roughly 1,700 m (5,600 ft) of total ascent commonly cited. DOC grades it moderate to strenuous, and day 3 is the hard day. Routeburn Track runs about 32-33 km with about 1,300-1,400 m of cumulative gain, and DOC grades it moderate to challenging, recommending backcountry experience. Milford asks for more days on foot; Routeburn packs its climbing into a shorter route.

Two hikers cross a swing bridge above clear water before climbing toward an open alpine basin

Season, permits and booking

Both tracks share the same official Great Walk season of roughly November to April; Milford's is given as 1 November to 30 April, and Routeburn's exact dates should be checked with DOC. In season, huts on both must be booked in advance for a fixed date and direction, and Milford allows no camping. Outside the season, Milford bookings are not required but there are no rangers at the huts, and Routeburn can bring serious snow and ice. Confirm current rules with DOC before you book.

Which one is right for you?

Choose Milford Track if…

Choose Milford Track if you want a fully structured trip. The stages and huts are set by your booking, the first two days are gentle valley walking, and the track is benched, with boardwalk, gravel and cut steps for much of its length. It suits hikers who can commit four days, handle one demanding day over the pass, and be at the boat pickup on time on the final day.

How to hike Milford Track — Fiordland

Choose Routeburn Track if…

Choose Routeburn Track if you have less time or want more open alpine scenery. The standard shape is three days and two nights, and some fit walkers compress it into two. It suits hikers comfortable with an exposed saddle crossing and with arranging a shuttle or car relocation between the two separate trailheads. Plan a spare day on either side of the walk.

How to hike Routeburn Track

What the two have in common

Both are one-way, point-to-point Great Walks managed by DOC on New Zealand's South Island. Each relies on advance hut bookings that fix your dates and direction in season, so the itinerary is essentially set before you travel. Each starts with gentle forest or valley walking, then climbs to an exposed alpine crossing where weather can change quickly before descending again through forest.

How your choice changes what you pack

Both routes cross high, exposed ground, so plan layers for wind, cold rain and, outside the Great Walk season, snow and ice. Milford's longer length means carrying food and clothing for more days, while Routeburn's shorter, faster option can mean a lighter pack but a longer day over the saddle. Huts reduce the need for shelter gear, but check what each hut provides on the official DOC pages.

Hands hold an unfolded paper map over a half-packed backpack on a wooden hut deck at dawn

Common questions

Which is harder, Milford Track or Routeburn Track?

DOC grades Milford moderate to strenuous, with day 3 over Mackinnon Pass as the hard day, and Routeburn moderate to challenging. Milford is longer overall, while Routeburn compresses its alpine exposure into fewer days. Difficulty depends on your fitness, pack weight and the weather.

Which is better for first-time multi-day hikers?

Neither is a casual walk. Milford's first two days are gentle, but the pass day is demanding. Routeburn's DOC guidance recommends backcountry experience. Both have well-built tracks and huts, so first-timers should read DOC guidance and consider how comfortable they are with exposed alpine terrain.

Do both tracks require advance bookings?

In the Great Walk season, yes. Huts on both tracks must be booked in advance for a fixed date and direction, and Milford allows no camping. Outside the season, Milford needs no bookings and bunks are first come, first served. Check DOC for current rules before planning.

Which is easier to organize logistically?

Both need advance planning. Milford's stages and huts are fixed by your booking, and day four is deadline-driven by the boat pickup. Routeburn runs between two separate trailheads, so a shuttle or car relocation must be arranged. A spare day either side helps with either route.

Sources

Department of Conservation (DOC) — doc.govt.nz: official information for Milford Track.
Department of Conservation (DOC) — doc.govt.nz: official information for Routeburn Track.

Conditions, permits and access rules change without notice — confirm current information with each managing authority before you go. See our editorial policy.