Hidden Falls walk is part of the Hollyford Track and is a good day hike of 18 km. It’ll take you around 4-6 hours depending if you go a further 10mins to Hidden Falls hut.
After driving 16km on a gravel road you get to the Hollyford trailhead car park. Follow the signs for the Hollyford Track. After crossing the first swinging bridge, you will spend the rest of the walk alongside the east side of the Hollyford River until you reach Hidden Creek. Though the walk isn’t a short one, it is flat, easy, and straightforward.
Most of the time, you will find yourself walking through lush rainforest. This will clear occasionally to reveal views of the peaks of the surrounding mountains. You may also discover some unnamed waterfalls, especially in the spring months after rain. As you are walking through a rainforest and near waterfalls, expect it to be a damp hike—even more so if It rains.
About 2:30 to 3 hours into the hike, you will reach another swinging bridge that traverses Hidden Creek. However, the track to Hidden Falls is in front of the bridge (before crossing). A few minutes along the track from there, Hidden Falls will start to come into view.
You may find yourself immediately covered in the mist from the falls when they are strong and see the water as frothing white. When it is calmer, you can see the blue-green of the pool at the bottom.
Hidden Falls Hut
At Hidden Falls Creek the track passes Sunshine Hut (private) and continues upstream to the swingbridge. Hidden Falls Hut is reached 10 minutes after crossing the bridge. You’ll find 12 bunks, heating, mattresses, toilets (non-flush), water from a tap (not treated, boil before use. Tank on the roof) at the hut. Bookings are not required, first come, first in, however there are fees as this is a serviced hut. Before you go, buy 1 Serviced Hut Ticket (green for adults, orange for youth) or 3 Standard Hut Tickets (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night’s stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for unlimited use at most Serviced and Standard huts for a 6 or 12 month period. Find out more about the fees here.
If you can’t drive to the Hollyford Track
Then take this awesome 3 day guided hike on the Hollyford Track with all transport included from either Te Anau or Queenstown.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 4-6 hour walk
- Distance: 18 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bikes allowed: No
- Route: Return
- Elevation: Unknown
- Wet Feet: There is the potential for muddy terrain. Sections of raised boardwalk cross areas prone to flooding.
- Toilets: There are toilets at the start of the walk and at Hidden Falls Hut
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: No
- Last Updated: May, 2020
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