AboutBruce Fraser Expertise About: Fiordland, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, hiking in Southern South Island. General travel questions about Te Anau, Manapouri, Milford Sound.
Experience I have hiked and lived in Fiordland most of my life. I own a guided walk/hike business in Te Anau, Fiordland.
Organizations Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, Greenpeace, Fiordland Tramping Club.
Publications Southland Times daily newspaper
Private publications, New Zealand Wildlife Service
Education/Credentials B. Sc (Hons, Botany)
M. Appl. Sci (Entomology)
When do you suggest to hike the Fiordlands/Mt Aspiring Tracks, late
spring/early summer or later ?
Any preferences when to hike to other Tracks ?
Thank You,
MarC
Answer Hi Marc
The weather is less reliable early in the season but the flowers are better then. Otherwise there's no special reason to hike the Fiordland tracks early or late.
The Milford and Routeburn have hut bunk booking systems, booking ahead is advisable and the shoulder seasons will have more spaces than the busy season (Mid Jan to mid March).
For Cascade Saddle wait till midsummer or later so it's snow-free. But every year is different. Call DOC's Glenorchy or Wanaka visitor centres for up to date info.
The Conservation Department's site has a lot of useful information about the individual tracks. http://www.doc.govt.nz/
