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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.05118, 168.03059. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 2 hr one way to river forks
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Milford Road/Milford Sound area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This challenging tramping route leads from the Milford Road, up the East Eglinton river valley through beech forest.
This DOC directory entry covers East Eglinton Track in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Milford Road/Milford Sound area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 2 hr one way to river forks
- DOC grade: Expert
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This is a challenging tramping route.
From the ‘East Branch’ sign on the Milford Road, the route heads up the true right river bank.
After about 2 hours you reach the river forks, where the East Branch meets the Annear Creek.
After this point the route crosses to the true left and continues to the flats in the upper valley (6 hours away) and beyond, for experienced trampers.
Getting there
This route begins from the Milford Road, Fiordland, about 55 km north from Te Anau.
Near the East Eglinton road bridge, a sign on the roadside says ‘East Branch’ and marks the start of the route.
Know before you go
This is a route so you will need above average fitness and high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills.
River crossing skills also required.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
