Milford Track - Day 2 - Glade House to Pompolona Lodge 01-02-2026
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Route: Glade House, Clinton River, Wetland Walk, Clinton Hut, Clinton Forks, Dead Lake, Hirere Shelter, Hidden Lake, Prairie Lake, Prairie Shelter, Bus Top Shelter, Pompolona Lodge
Date: 01/02/2026
From: Glade House
Parking: N/A
Start Point: Glade House
Finish Point: Pompolona Lodge
Region: Fiordland National Park
Route Length: 18.7km
Time Taken: 05:56
Average Speed: 4.3km/h
Ascent: 346m
Descent: 147m
Points of Interest: Wetland Walk, Clinton River, Hirere Falls, Hidden Lake, Prarie Falls,
The second day on the Milford Track was our first day of proper hiking, following the Clinton River to Pompolona Lodge / Mintaro Hut at the base of Ōmanui / McKinnon Pass. There is very little elevation gain along this section, with several small side trails to explore at our own pace. All the while, the hike is accompanied by the towering cliffs of the Clinton Canyon.
After breakfast and a briefing, we are ready to hike at 08:30—a fairly leisurely affair compared to the following days. From Glade House, the Milford Track crosses the Clinton River over a suspension bridge (or swing bridges, as they are referred to in New Zealand), one of many permanent river crossings on the route (as well as many more temporary crossings installed by DOC). The swing bridges have weight limits, with the first being limited to five people at a time, so inevitably, a small queue forms as our group waits to cross. After this, it is easy hiking along the Clinton River. |
| The Clinton River on a cloudy morning |
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| Hikers crossing the Clinton River swing bridge |
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| The small signs advise the number of users at any one time |
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| Crossing the river |
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| Clinton River from the swing bridge |
The river takes its name from the Clinton Valley, named after the Duke of Newcastle, Henry Pelham-Clinton, a British Colonial Secretary during the 19th century. Its traditional name is Waitawa, as used by the Māori, who used the valley as a means of transporting precious pounamu (greenstone) from the West Coast across Fiordland. |
| The stunning colour of the Clinton River |
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| The Clinton River, framed by the steep-sided mountains |
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| Clinton River |
The first part of the Milford Track passes through predominantly beech forest, with the track twisting and turning its way through the trees, offering occasional glimpses of the emerald green Clinton River. The Milford Track is one of the few places in New Zealand where distances are still officially marked in miles rather than just kilometres. There are 33 mile markers in total, which serve as a helpful way to gauge our progress between the huts. You may also notice small rectangular boxes spaced evenly along the track. These traps are used to control invasive mammalian predators in order to protect New Zealand’s unique flightless bird species. |
| Mile marker 2 |
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| The predator traps are spaced every 200m or so |
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| A Weka |
After around 2.5 km (shortly after mile marker 2), the track closely follows a river bend north, revealing a great view of Dore Pass, the land route to access the Milford Track. Shortly thereafter, you can explore the wetlands ecosystem and get a great view of the Clinton Valley by taking the short Wetland Walk on the left. It is a quick loop track, so you can leave your pack at the junction. You won't need more than ten minutes to stroll along the wooden boardwalk; however, it is the first real open area on the track, showing off those spectacular mountains. |
| Bend in the Clinton River – Dore Pass descends from the mountains in the background |
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| Wetland Walk |
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| Wetland Walk |
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| The Wetland Walk has some of the first open views of the Clinton Valley; the Milford Track makes it way towards Mount Sentinel, the isolated peak |
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| Two valleys can be seen from the Wetland Walk: Clinton River to the left and Neale Burn to the right, split by the south ridge of Mount Anau |
Shortly before mile marker 3, a track on the left leads to Clinton Hut, the first of the DOC huts (independent hikers will have already departed once the guided groups arrive). A hut has existed since the late 1890s, with the present iteration having likely been built in the 1970s, following a series of track upgrades to accommodate independent hikers. The guided hikes have access to the toilets and water tanks at Clinton Hut.
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| Milford Track |
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| Clinton River |
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| The turnoff to Clinton Hut cannot be missed |
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| Clinton Hut |
After leaving the hut, there is another couple of kilometres of easy hiking until you reach mile marker 5 (or just before) at Clinton Forks, the point where the West Branch and North Branch of the Clinton Rivers meet. This section of the track has been damaged in recent years, necessitating a short diversion away from the river. There are several locations where you can get some great views of the river and surrounding mountains. The Milford Track continues along the West Branch.
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| Clinton River |
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| The track close to Clinton Forks has been damaged by flooding |
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| Milford Track |
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| Misty mountains |
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| Clinton Canyon |
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| Misty mountains |
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| Clinton Canyon |
The next port of call is Hirere Falls Shelter, a rustic hut available to guided hikers with a number of amenities. Built in 1985 to replace Six Mile Hut (which was affected by the 1982 landslide), the covered hut makes for a good lunch spot – particularly today as it had started to rain. You can see Hirere Falls across the Clinton River.
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| Milford Track |
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| Milford Track |
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| Hirere Shelter |
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| Hirere Shelter |
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| I have always found this sign amusing |
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| Hirere Falls |
The hike continues along Clinton River West Branch through the dramatic Clinton Canyon. There are a couple of side tracks to explore, the first being Hidden Lake. It is a notable example of an avalanche-formed tarn, created after successive avalanches create hollows on the valley floor. The track is a short, alternative route, so you'll need to keep your pack with you.
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| The Milford Track |
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| Clinton River |
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| The landscape in the upper Clinton valley is spectacular |
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| The Hidden Lake turnoff |
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| Clinton Canyon emerging from the mists |
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| Hidden Lake |
The last point of interest for the day is the small Prairie Lake, located around mile marker 9. Unlike Hidden Lake, this is an out-and-back trip, so you can drop your pack at the turnoff. The small, tranquil lake is fed by Prairie Falls and provides the perfect opportunity for a quick dip before the end of the hike.
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| Looking down the Clinton Canyon |
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| Prarie Falls |
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| Prarie Lake |
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| Time for a cold dip, despite the drizzle |
The Milford Track crosses an open ‘prairie’ area and climbs a small hill to the Bus Stop Shelter just before Marlenes Creek. The shelter can be used to wait out any flooding on Marlenes Creek as the Milford Track climbs directly up and across the rocky creek bed. Once across the creek, Pompolona Lodge, at the end of the first day's hiking, is a short distance away.
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| There are fine views along the canyon after Prairie Lake |
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| One of hundreds of temporary bridges that DOC use during the Great Walks season |
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| Marlenes Creek |
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| Ascending Marlenes Creek |
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| Approaching the end of Day 1 |
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| Pompolona Lodge |
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| Pompolona Lodge |
Surrounded by towering peaks, Pompolona Lodge is a welcome sight after over 18km on the trail. Named after the 'pompolona' (a type of large scone or pancake) that Quintin McKinnon used to cook for early travellers, the lodge offers the ultimate reward for a day's effort: a hot shower, a multi-course meal, and the all-important drying room. As the mist settles over the canyon walls, the conversation is dominated by one thing: tomorrow’s 600m ascent to the top of the pass. And the weather...
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