Hike to Lake Marian

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

4.5/5
based on 2 reviews

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.

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Features

Photography
Chillin
Swimming
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
Scenic
Waterfalls

Hike to Lake Marian Reviews

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.

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.

Leave No Trace

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

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