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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: -44.89560, 168.04503. 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
- 5 km one way
- Walking time
- 3 hr to bush edge
- Track grade
- Advanced
- 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 difficult tramping track leads from the Milford Road and up the Mistake Creek Valley through beech forest to the river flats.
This DOC directory entry covers Mistake Creek 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: 5 km one way
- Walking time: 3 hr to bush edge
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This is a difficult tramping track.
From the 'Earl Mountain Tracks' sign, the track leads to a walk wire over the Eglinton River about 10 minutes from the carpark.
After the walk wire follow the track sign pointing hard right to Mistake Creek.
After about 1.5 hours along the true left, cross the river to the true right and continue to the open flat at the bush edge.
For experienced trampers, this track can be combined as an overnight trip with the Hut Creek Track.
Getting there
This track begins from the Milford Road, Fiordland, about 71 km north from Te Anau.
There is a small carpark area on the western side of the road, with a DOC track sign saying ‘Earl Mountain Tracks’.
Know before you go
This is a tramping track so you will need good fitness and moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills.
River crossing skills are also required. Note that in heavy rain these rivers can run very fast and high and require extreme caution - do not attempt crossing until the water levels drop.
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.
