- Season
- 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 (last departure 28 April 2027)
- Direction
- One way: Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point
- Huts
- Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling
- Camping
- Not allowed
- Hut fee, Great Walks season
- NZ$106 NZ adult, NZ$152 international adult, per night
- 2026/27 bookings opened
- 9:30 am, Wednesday 13 May 2026
- 2027/28 opening
- Not announced by DOC
The four days
DOC lists four stages. Its stage distances add up to 53.5 km.
- Day 1: Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut, 5 km, 1 to 1.5 hours
- Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut, 17.5 km, about 6 hours
- Day 3: Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut, 13 km, 6 to 7 hours
- Day 4: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point, 18 km, 5.5 to 6 hours
Booking it
You need a hut booking for each of the three nights, and the walk can only go one way, so there is one itinerary to book and not a choice of routes. Outside the Great Walks season, from 1 May to 31 October 2026, DOC's page lists a flat NZ$30 per adult per night.
DOC runs a virtual queue on opening days. See our guide to Great Walks booking dates for the order the walks opened in 2026.
What to know before you go
There is no cell phone reception on the track. DOC's packing list recommends a three to four season sleeping bag. In the Great Walks season the huts have basic cooking facilities but do not provide cooking utensils or showers. For the full list, see the gear page for the Milford Track.
DOC warns that track closures are possible and that the Clinton and Arthur valleys can flood. Check DOC's page for current alerts close to your date.
Questions
How do you book the Milford Track?
Through DOC's online booking system. You book a hut for each of the three nights. The 2026/27 bookings opened on 13 May 2026 at 9:30 am.
Can you camp on the Milford Track?
No. DOC says camping is not permitted on the Milford Track.
Which direction do you walk the Milford Track?
One direction only, from Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point, over three nights and four days.
How much do the Milford Track huts cost?
In the 2026/27 Great Walks season DOC charges NZ$106 for a New Zealand adult and NZ$152 for an international adult per night. DOC changes prices each season.
Sources
Facts checked against the pages above on 30 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules change; confirm them on the agency's page before you pay.
In an emergency in New Zealand, call 111.