The Milford Track
 

I didn't realize that one couldn't hike on their own at the Milford Track but needed to either make reservation with the DOC for the full 4-day walk or arrange a private day-hike with one of the local guides.

Has anyone heard anything different? And, if a guided walk is a must, what operators are recommended -- Real Journeys? Ultimate Hikes?

Bookings are required from late Oct to late April as only 40 walkers a day are allowed to start the track. It can only be walked in one direction.

Bookings are not required from May to mid-October, but hut passes are required. The track can be walked in either direction during this time.

Here are the official guidelines:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/002~T.../Milford-Track

I think Real Journeys only does the guided day walk, not the full track. The first day's walk really isn't the best part of the Milford Track. I would either go somewhere else for a day hike, or book with Ultimate Hikes. Unless you are off season chances are you are too late to get into this season's independent walk booked via DOC.

As noted above, you do indeed need to reserve either a Guided Walk or go through DOC for a 'free walker' tramp.

The Guided Walk is very expensive, as it includes overnight stays in lodges, substantial meals, lots of guides, a Milford Sound tour, etc.

I also agree that the day hike isn't really worth it, as the spectacular parts occur on the 2nd and 3rd days.

Although you need to book the DOC walk many months in advance, you might get lucky if you show up at the DOC office in Te Anau and get put on the wait list for no-shows. Almost every day somebody with a reservation doesn't show up.

If you want more flexibility, you need to go on one of the other Fiordland tracks (Heapy, Routeburn, or Kepler).

Wow -- I really appreciate all of your helpful info. I didn't realize how strict the rules were for hiking the Milford Track. If the first day on the hike isn't really that special, it's probably not worth the money. After all, there's a lot of beautiful scenery in NZ.

So, at the risk of seeming ridiculous, since everyone told me to hike the Milford Track, what other ways are there to see the spectacular Fiordland scenery? Cruises? Other hikes?

What Alf Said. Tracks from the Milford Road, especially Key Summit. And take the road to Milford and a Milford Sound Cruise.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/002~T...de-and-Map.asp

You can walk the kepler Track from Te Anau. Every bit as good as the Milford track, and far cheaper. No charge for the track, but you have to pay hut fees toDOC, and also book for the huts. If you don't stay in the huts there is no charge, but you can't camp within 1km of the hut.
You can do just a part of the track if you wish. there are 3 entry points.