Day 6 - Walking up Key Summit

While researching places to hike around Milford Sound, there were a lot of hike hikes. You know hikes that take several days, involves proper hiking shoes, staying out etc etc. Since we were only there for a day, those hikes wouldn't work. Then I came across this site that suggested some day hikes;

• Gertrude Valley - 4-5 hours return
• Grave Talbot - 3-4 hours return
• Key Summit - 3 hours return
• Lake Marian - 3-4 hours return
• Tutoko - 5-6 hours return

After reading some reviews about each of the different hikes we decided to do the Key Summit trail.

The track starts at the Divide carpark and follows the Routeburn Track for about an hour. The track is very rocky due to the gravel terrain and starts and continues with a steep elevation until you reach the top.

Once we've reached the top of the summit, the views are amazing.

It starts to get really windy up here, definitely worth it to pack a jacket, the walk up will make you feel warm, but once you get out in the open, the cold mountain air will hit you.

As you can see, I couldn't stop taking photos!

Key Summit hike is 919m above altitude. Once you reach this point you can continue on a nice alpine nature walk.

Distance: 11km or s

Time: 3hours 30min

In the afternoon we decided to make our way to Milford Sound village.

The Homer tunnel -945m above sea level and 1.2km in length. It only allows cars to move in one direction and is your entry point to Milford Sound.

As we had to head back into Te Anau for the glow worm caves tour, we didn't have much time left at Milford Sound. So after lunch, we just decided to stroll around the area.

 View of Milford Sounds from Milfordviewpoint.

Next time I plan to go on the half day cruise and do the kayak ride.

In the evening we went on a boat that took us across Lake Te Anau to the Glow worm caves. Unfortunately no photos of the worms as flash photography is not allowed.