Lake Marian Track
Lake Marian Guided Day Walk
Venture into the Mountain Divide
The Lake Marian guided walk allows you to enjoy a lesser-known Fiordland track with an experienced, friendly local guide. Enjoy a day hike amongst native forest and raw alpine scenery in the heart of New Zealands' South Island mountain divide. Your effort is well-rewarded, with a panoramic view at the top of this beautiful glacial carved, hanging valley.
- 4hrs
- 6km
- 400m
- Moderate-high
- 8hrs
- Adult NZ$280
We begin our journey with a spectacular scenic drive along the Milford Road to the Lower Hollyford, the starting point for the guided walk to Lake Marian. En route there are opportunities for short nature walks and photographic stops. The hike starts with a gentle walk alongside a spectacular series of waterfalls, then steepens and becomes quite rocky underfoot as we ascend through a lush forest of fuchsia, ribbon wood and beech trees.
With a maximum of 6 walkers your friendly Trips and Tramps guide will share information and stories about the natural and human heritage of Fiordland. Stops for photographs, bird-watching and enjoying the scenery are regularly made along the way ensuring a pleasurable, easy-going climb. Hot drinks and energy snacks are carried by the guide, and a wilderness tea break is made available as required.
After walking 2-3 hours, Lake Marian, our stunning alpine destination, is reached. This beautiful lake is surrounded by a hanging valley bordered by steep, snow clad mountains. As weather allows, we enjoy a picnic lunch and relax in this magnificent alpine amphitheatre.
When the group is ready, we make a leisurely decent back down the track to the Hollyford Road and then travel back to Te Anau by coach.
4 of the best days walking we have ever experienced ...
We've just completed 4 of the best days walking we have ever experienced with Trips and Tramps (Kepler Track, Milford Track, Routeburn Track & Lake Marian). The service provided by Trips & Tramps was nothing short of exceptional from the initial enquiry back in Jan through to the service provided by the guides on the walks. The office team (Madeleine) were prompt and extremely helpful through the booking process and follow up emails with clear and accurate information provided. The guides during the walks (Andrew, Douglas, Michelle & Becs) were all experts in their fields and provided knowledgeable and interesting commentary during the walks. The walks whilst challenging, were worth every ache and sore muscle with views from the top of Mt Luxmore, Lake Marian and Earland Falls the highlights for us. We would highly recommend Trips and Tramps for anyone seeking a variety of walks in Fiordland.
- Te Anau
- Marian Gantry
- Lake Marian
- Gunns Camp
- Divide
Meals
Add a picnic lunch and reusable water bottle to take with you (additional charge). If you have any dietary requirements for the lunch please let us know prior to the day so we can cater for these. Alternatively bring your own packed lunch, note there are no places to purchase food once we have left Te Anau. Refreshments and a light snack will be carried by your guide.
Schedule
8.30 am Te Anau accommodation pick up
9.45 am Arrive Hollyford Valley, Marian Gantry Car park
Walk to Lake Marian and then retrace steps
4.00 pm Return to Car park
5.00 pm Te Anau accommodation
What to bring
We Provide
Difficulty
A reasonable level of fitness and walking ability is required due to the 400-metre ascent and descent. The track is rocky underfoot and uneven in sections so care is required, walking time is 3 to 5 hours. Suitable for children 10 years and over. On occasion, wet weather and cold conditions in the alpine area may make conditions more challenging. We operate in most weather conditions, so guests need to be suitably prepared.
Minimum number is 2 people for this guided walk to go ahead. If you are a single person please contact us for availability.
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