Hike to Lake Marian

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

4.7/5

based on 3 reviews

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

3 miles

Elevation Gain

1312.3 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Lauren Schusterman

Lake Marian is and extremely beautiful alpine lake a great hike on the drive into Milford Sound. If you hike this on a warm day, it's not a bad place to go for a (very cold) swim.

The track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hours and then return via the same track. The track is covered in roots and rocks and requires care as to avoid falling.

A quicker version of the hike would be a quick 20 minute walk to the falls.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Swimming

Hiking

Easy Parking

Forest

Lake

Scenic

Waterfall

Reviews

Carter Clark

Hike to Lake Marian

04/29/18

Did this hike in a morning, with the most difficult part being finding a ride to the trailhead from Milford Sound. It has great infrastructure, with stunning woodwork on some of the bridges and a pretty great hanging bridge to start the trail off. The lake is gorgeous, but definitely left me wanting to hike up the surrounding rock walls. Without a doubt suggest this one for a calm day or on your way into the depths of the park from Te Anau.

4.0

Explorer

Tiffany Young

Explorer

Hike to Lake Marian

06/07/17

After we kayaked the Milford Sound, we were talking to a worker at the hostel we were staying at for short hike recommendations... and boy, was this a perfect suggestion! From elevation gains, to climbing up tree roots, and amazing views, the opening to Lake Marian was absolutely climatic! My friends and I were in awe and lucky had the place to ourselves. We tired to go swimming. It was too cold. Lake Marian has definitely not seen the last of me!

5.0

Sara Kurth

Hike to Lake Marian

11/14/16

Lake Marian was an afterthought addition to my New Zealand hike itinerary. Very glad it was added in since it is now one of my favorite hikes ever. A lush green forest opening up into an alpine lake- everything you'd want - and expect - from New Zealand all wrapped up into one.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Key Summit

In the Fiordland National Park, the Key Summit sits at the beginning of one of New Zealand's Great Walks, The Routeburn Track. This half-day walk to easily accessible off of the Milford Road from the Divide Carpark, one of the access points to the popular backpacking trip. A toilet is available here before your adventure (the important things!) The track will begin at the left side of the park...

Hike to Gertrude Saddle

The trail begins at the signposted car park along Milford Road just before the Homer Tunnel, about 98km from Te Anau. Follow the marked track through the valley and left, steeply uphill. About halfway up you will cross the Gertrude Stream below a large, steep waterfall.Upon reaching Black Lake, continue up to your right. There are steel cabins to assist with the climb, as the rock can be slippe...

Valley of the Trolls

The Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain. Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 meters before reaching the Harris Shelter. A small trail will branch off northwards from the Routebu...

Camp at Cascade Creek

This campsite is just off the Milford Highway. There will be a sign for the Cascade Creek Campground exit. Follow the dirt road for several minutes before reaching the campground. You may find a spot immediately, but the campground is fairly large and can get busy, so drive until you find a spot that works for you.

Climb to Homer Saddle, Fjordland NP

This route is not marked, riddled with loose rock, and requires climbing on narrow exposed ledges. There are often snow patches on the saddle and an unchecked fall will almost certainly result in a fatality. However, for experienced and well prepared parties this can be one of the most rewarding and exciting adventures in New Zealand.From the car park you can see your destination, Homer Saddle,...

Day Hike the Routeburn North Branch

To access the Routeburn North Branch, you start out from the Routeburn Shelter and head along the Routeburn Track towards Routeburn Flats Hut (6.5km). At the hut, cross the wide but shallow North Branch to pick up the poled route on the other side that leads through the last of the Routeburn flats. The track then enters forest and climbs upwards before emerging in the open space of an old slip....

Hike to Lake Marian

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike to Key Summit

Hike to Gertrude Saddle

Valley of the Trolls

Camp at Cascade Creek

Climb to Homer Saddle, Fjordland NP

Day Hike the Routeburn North Branch

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps