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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: -44.65753, 168.12642. 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
- 18 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 4 - 6 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Hollyford Valley 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
Enjoy this easy day walk along the Hollyford Track to the beautiful Hidden Falls or the nearby hut for lunch.
This DOC directory entry covers Hollyford Track: Hidden Falls Track in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Hollyford Valley 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: 18 km return via same track
- Walking time: 4 - 6 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
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.
- Remedial work underway at Swamp Creek; First published on 26 November 2025. Last reviewed on 29 September 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This walk is part of the Hollyford Track, which starts at the end of the Hollyford Road. For information about all sections of the track, see Hollyford Track description.
After crossing Humboldt Creek follow the old road to the start of the track, which initially sidles along bluffs, with swampland to the left.
Sections of raised board walk cross areas prone to flooding.
Where Swamp Creek joins the Hollyford River/Whakatipu Kā Tuka the track follows the river bank with occasional views of the Darran Mountains.
At Hidden Falls Creek the track passes Sunshine Hut (private), and continues upstream to the swingbridge. You can view the falls two minutes on from the bridge. Hidden Falls Hut (12 bunks) is reached 10 minutes after crossing the bridge. You can see Mt Madeline from here.
Return the same way.
This is a good, valley-based day walk for families and for when bad weather prevents walking in exposed areas.
Getting there
To find the Hollyford Road, turn off from the Milford Road (SH94) at Marian Corner, a few minutes towards Milford Sound from The Divide. Marian Corner is about 87 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau.
Allow 2 hours to drive from Te Anau to the end of the Hollyford Road.
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.
