Proposed Milford Track Run – Summer 2027

There’s something pretty special about running one of New Zealand’s Great Walks in a single day.

Each March we bring together a small group of trail runners to tackle the iconic Milford Track from Milford Sound to Glade Wharf. It’s not a race and it’s not commercially hosted or guided. It’s simply a group of like-minded runners sharing the transport logistics and enjoying one of the most spectacular runs in New Zealand.

Check out the photos and read about the previous adventures here :

2024 : Milford Track Group Mission
2025 : Milford Track Group Mission
2026: Milford Track Group Mission

Next : Sunday 7th March, 2027

The following information is specific to groups organised by us, and places are limited to 24 runners due to the water taxi capacity. If you intend to organise your own trip, contact the Water Taxi company Fiordland Outdoors to discuss with them the options available to you and your crew.

The Run

The Milford Track is 53.5km, run southbound from Sandfly Point, Milford Sound to Glade Wharf, Te Anau.

Along the way you’ll climb approximately 1,755m, crossing Mackinnon Pass before descending through the Clinton Valley to the finish.

It is a challenging alpine trail and runners should only enter if they’re confident they can comfortably complete the distance within the available transport windows.

How the Day Works

The day starts early. Because there are currently no commercial buses that reach Milford before sunrise, everyone in our group meets at Te Anau Downs before dawn. From there our chartered bus take the runners to Milford Sound.

At around 7:15am the first water taxi begins shuttling runners from Deepwater Basin across to Sandfly Point, where the run officially begins.

Once on the track, everyone runs at their own pace. Some people naturally form small groups while others spend much of the day running solo. We regroup in two ‘crews’ at Glade Wharf for the journey back across Lake Te Anau.

The first return water taxi departs Glade Wharf at 5:00pm sharp, followed by a second at 7:00pm. These departure times are later than the public water taxis and are only available to private group bookings. The last water taxi departing the track is typically 4:00pm daily.

Important: If a runner misses their water taxi at Glade Wharf and an unscheduled pickup is required, these passengers will be responsible for paying the full charter rate. See Fiordland Outdoors for T&C’s.

Buses – Getting There & Back

One of the biggest challenges of running the Milford Track isn’t the running—it’s the logistics.

To make life easy we organise the transport that is difficult to arrange yourself.

This includes:

Chartered morning bus from Te Anau Downs to Milford (1.45 to 2hr drive)
Water taxi to Sandfly Point (10-15min)
Drop Bags delivered onto the Milford Track at Glade Wharf (with runners warm clothes and food)
Water taxi from Glade Wharf back to Te Anau Downs (50-60min)

Once back at Te Anau Downs, everyone simply jumps back into the vehicle they parked there that morning, and drives the 25 minutes back to Te Anau.

If you’d rather organise your own adventure outside the group, Easy Hikes can help with car relocation options.

The Track

Huts & Shelters

There are several huts and shelters along the Milford Track.

The DOC huts available to independent users are:

Dumpling Hut
Mintaro Hut
Clinton Hut

The Ultimate Hikes lodges are private facilities and are only available to guided walkers, except in genuine emergencies.

Approximate distances between DOC huts are:

Sandfly Point → Dumpling Hut — 18km
Dumpling Hut → Mintaro Hut — 13km
Mintaro Hut → Clinton Hut — 17.5km
Clinton Hut → Glade Wharf — 5km

Milford Track Information via Department of Conservation

Optional Side Mission – Sutherland Falls

If you’ve never stood beneath Sutherland Falls, it’s hard to describe just how impressive it is.

The detour starts from Quintin Shelter and is an out-and-back trip. It adds around 4.5km and roughly 45–50 minutes for a reasonably quick trail runner. Part of the track is runnable, although the upper section becomes rougher with stairs and rocks.

It’s absolutely worth it—but only if you’re confident it won’t put your return boat at risk.

Gear & Safety

This is an alpine environment and runners need to be self-sufficient.

Everyone should carry gear equivalent to compulsory equipment for an alpine trail event, including warm waterproof clothing, nutrition, first aid and insect repellent.

Every runner, pair or small group must also carry either a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Garmin inReach. If you’re sharing a device, you must remain together for the entire run. There is no reliable mobile coverage on the Milford Track or at Glade Wharf, making satellite communication essential if plans change or an emergency occurs. Fiordland Outdoors also provide a tracker which they monitor and it must be carried by the last runner in the group.

DOC Rangers, emergency communications and first aid facilities are available at the DOC huts should they be required.

A Few Important Things

This isn’t a guided event. Runners are responsible for their own safety, decision making and wellbeing throughout the day. We simply coordinate the group, organise the shared transport and help everyone communicate before the trip.

Runners should only join if they are confident they can complete the distance within the available transport windows. There are no easy ‘outs’ on the Milford Track! Know your limits, and remember, if shit does go south, getting everyone home safely is the priority!

As we’ve always said… Look after yourself, look after others if required, and don’t be a dick.

Costs

Transport costs change slightly from year to year, but allow approximately:

Morning bus — $90
Milford water taxi — $65
Glade Wharf water taxi — $120

Estimated total: $275 per runner

Accommodation, meals and travel to/from Te Anau are the responsibility of each runner.

The evening before we’ll usually organise a relaxed group dinner in Te Anau. It is optional, but an excellent opportunity to meet everyone before the adventure begins… and it’s early so we can all get back to our accommodation and go to bed!

Securing a Spot

To reserve a place we ask for a $25 non-refundable donation.

This acts as a holding fee and secures your place in the group while we finalise transport numbers. Third-party costs aren’t payable until around 4–6 weeks before the run.

Once the mission is over, all donations are passed onto the charity Lifeline in memory of Joe Benbow.

Group communication is via WhatsApp, and all runners are required to join.

If the trip fills, we’ll operate a waitlist.