Hollyford Track

The Hollyford Track is a true mountains‑to‑sea journey: 56 km (about 35 miles) one way along the Hollyford Valley to the Tasman Sea at Martins Bay. It stays low and largely flat—no alpine passes—but don’t mistake that for easy. You’re trading elevation for length, remoteness, rough footing, and Fiordland’s famously wet, changeable weather.

Expect a sampler platter of Fiordland landscapes. You’ll start beneath the sheer rock walls of the Darran Mountains and follow the Hollyford River through ancient lowland podocarp and beech forest, dripping with moss and ferns. The middle of the track skirts tranquil Lake Alabaster, then the bigger Lake McKerrow/Whakatipu Waitai, before finishing on the wild West Coast—sand dunes, surf, and often New Zealand fur seals. With luck in season, you might even spot the rare Fiordland crested penguin around Martins Bay. Tui, bellbirds, white herons, and a chorus of other natives are regular company.

The route breaks naturally into sections: Lower Hollyford Road to Hidden Falls Hut (2–3 hours) is a gentle warm‑up of bluffs and swing bridges. Hidden Falls to Lake Alabaster Hut (3–4 hours) weaves through beech and ribbonwood with a short climb over Little Homer Saddle. From Lake Alabaster to Demon Trail Hut (3–4 hours) you cross the Pyke River and amble mostly flat terrain. Then comes the infamous Demon Trail to Hokuri Hut (5–6 hours): rough, rooty, slippery sidles along McKerrow that are slow in any conditions. The final push to Martins Bay Hut (4–5 hours) passes the historic failed settlement of Jamestown and spills you onto the coast.

This is a backcountry tramping track: natural surfaces, mud, streamlets to ford, and plenty of roots. It’s doable year‑round thanks to the low altitude, but heavy rain can make side streams and sections of the track hazardous at any time—especially winter and spring. Sandflies are enthusiastic hosts. Plan for long days and take extra care on the Demon Trail; it’s where schedules go to die if you underestimate it.

Logistics matter here. The track is point‑to‑point; there’s no circuit, so you’ll need transport to get back from Martins Bay (shuttles, flights, or boat transfers are common solutions). There are multiple Department of Conservation huts and adjacent campsites along the route; bring Backcountry Hut Tickets/Passes and plan ahead for peak season. If you want to soften the rougher sections, guided options exist that use jet boats and helicopters to shorten or bypass the toughest bits.

Best time to go: It’s walkable all year, but spring through autumn (October–April) usually offers friendlier temperatures and longer daylight. Even then, Fiordland’s weather likes surprises—pack for cold, wet, and wind. Compared to the Milford or Routeburn, the Hollyford sees fewer people, so you’ll often get big scenery with more solitude. If you’re after a shorter sample, the out‑and‑back to Hidden Falls Hut makes a fine day walk.