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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: -44.83021, 168.07360. 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
- 21 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 4 hr to bush edge, 6 - 8 hr to rock bivvy
- 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
A challenging tramping route from the Milford Road into the Falls Creek valley, surrounded by impressive Fiordland mountains.
This DOC directory entry covers Falls Creek Route 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: 21 km return via same track
- Walking time: 4 hr to bush edge, 6 - 8 hr to rock bivvy
- 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 carpark, a steep track heads up the leading spur on the true right bank of Falls Creek for about 45 minutes. From here on the gradient eases a little, and the open flats towards the head of the valley can be reached in about 2 hours. The route, now more challenging, continues further up the valley for another few hours to a rock bivvy.
At the head of the creek stand Mount Ngatimamoe and Mount Pyramid.
Getting there
This track is reached from the Milford Road, Fiordland.
There is a small carpark by the Falls Creek bridge, just past the Hollyford Road turnoff, which is about 87 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau.
Know before you go
This is a route and may involve some boulder hopping and scrambling through scrub.
You will need above average fitness and high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills.
There may be avalanche danger
Check the avalanche terrain in this area.
Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Fiordland National Park. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.
Check the avalanche danger before you go on the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:
Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.
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.
