Distance: 3kms one way 6kms return.
Elevation gain: 393 meters
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Hiking Lake Marian was a hike we tried to squeeze in for sunset but if you’ve been to Fjordland National park before you will realize that everything takes longer than it should. Driving is never just driving because there are a million places to pull over and take photos and a 2km hike can easily take 3 hours due to the scenery. Well, that was the case here and as a result, I found myself running through the snow to Lake Marian ignoring everything else hoping to catch the last bit of sun on the lake before it dropped behind the mountains. As a result, I kind of missed everything good on the way and walking back in the dark didn’t really allow me to enjoy it either. Nevertheless, it was a breathtaking site despite the constant dumping of snow almost ruining the sunset for us.
Lake Marian is a nice, relatively short hike tucked into Fjordland National Park that is a perfect detour if you’re on your way to or from Milford Sound, which if you’re going to New Zealand and not heading to Milford sound you’re kind of blowing it. Sorry if that’s not on your list, but seriously though.
You’re obviously looking for hikes so check out this list of some of the best hikes in New Zealand.
At no extra cost to you, some of the links in this article are affiliate links and by using them Sara and I receive a small commission. This goes towards helping us continue to explore and write articles like this. 😁
How to get to lake Marian
Getting to Lake Marian is a fairly easy task as long as you have your own transport. I know tour buses blast past there all day for Milford sound but I’m not sure any actually stop there so you might be on your own here as I’m not sure public transport is really an option.
If you’re heading towards Milford Sound you want to take a right onto Hollyford Road, its 87kms along the Milford Sound Road from Te Anau.
From there it’s only 1.2kms and the parking lot will be on your left.
The hike to Marian Lake
Although the hike is only 3kms it is uphill all the way and while probably not that difficult in summer(probably still a bit difficult) when it’s more heavily trafficked and there is less snow, in winter it is a little more tricky. We lost the track several times, we could see no one had been here either that day or for a few days, the light was also fading and there was on and off flurries of snow. So if you plan on doing this hike in late winter then you might want to have a little bit of experience with those kinds of conditions.
We had two different mapping apps that helped keep us on track. One was maps.me on my phone and the other was alltrials on Sara’s phone. When we did go off track these were actually accurate enough that after a few meters they would show us we had lost the track and we could see what way we needed to go to get back. These should not take the place of actual experience though but they are very helpful.
The track starts off relatively easy and open until you get to the waterfall, after this point, it becomes a lot steeper and the track is fairly tricky in parts with lots of tree roots and larger rocks. It is also fairly overgrown making it look in some parts like maybe it’s not the track when it actually is. We didn’t have too much of a problem here physically but we had been walking and hiking 20km days a few times a week before attempting this so our fitness levels were up. I was, however, trying to rush it and before I knew it I realized that this was not one track I’d just be able to run straight to the end of.
Just be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye out for the orange markers and if you do go off track it’s always better to try and backtrack than trying to cut through the bush and try and find the trail again, in my experience.
One year early in our relationship Sara gave me a small travel compass and as much as it seems like an outdated concept it can come in very very handy. It’s just a small travel one that is always attached to my backpack, but if you get your bearings at the start of the trail and know that the lake is WNW from the parking lot you will generally know if you went left or right off the track and you can figure out your way back to safety much easier. We almost never need it but it weighs like 50 grams and is a great just in case item if you do a lot of hiking.
Where to stay close to Lake Marian
The closest place to stay to Lake Marian is a little town called Te Anau, there are a few other small places to stay here and there like the Fjordland National Park Lodge and several campgrounds but these are probably the best options for successful day trips into the region.
If you’re backpacking and want to meet other people and maybe try and organize a car or some trips with them to help keep costs down then you might want to check out these two places.
YHA Te Anau offers stylish and quite accommodation one block back from Lake Te Anau. Each bed has its own locker and they can also help you organize and book transport should you need it.
Dorms start at $30 NZD. Private and double rooms are also available.
Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers is another option. Located right on the lake and only a 5-minute walk to the shops they have everything you need including laundry, movie room and secure storage. They will also be able to help sort out transport if needed.
Dorms here start at $29 NZD per night and private rooms are also available.
Now if you are looking for something more private with an actual hotel-motel vibe then you might want to check out one of these. Of course, though private rooms also come with a higher price tag so maybe not exactly for the budget-friendly traveler which Sara and I generally are.
Distinction Luxmore Hotel is located in the center of town and close to everything you will need. It has a basic fitness center which is nice if you are not too tired from hiking all day. The restaurant has vegetarian options which is always a bonus. The rooms are standard but nice and it comes complete with heated blankets which is such a win in winter time!
Bella Vista Motel Te Anau is another really nice options, with modern rooms, large bathrooms and varying abilities to cook from just toast to full kitchens, which might make it a nice option if there are a couple of you willing to share a bed but still wanting the ability to cook. They can also help organize any tours or transport you might need.
Lake Marian Vs Key Summit
So this one is up to you, we did both and you can read about our hike to Key Summit over here. One thing I will say though is that Key Summit is a far easier hike compared to Lake Marian and if the sky is clear you will have incredible views of not only Lake Marian but other mountains and Fjordland National Park also. If the weather is bad there is a good chance you might not see anything though and If you hike to Lake Marian even in bad weather you will still be able to see the lake. Up to you though. Both were incredible and if you have time I would just say do both.
What Camera Gear We Use.
- Digital Camera: Sony A7riii
- Drone: Mavic Pro 2
- Landscape Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- GoPro: GoPro Hero 7 Black Would upgrade to Hero 8 Black though
- Favorite Lens: Sony 24-70mm F4
- Circular Polarizer: Hoya Digital PRO1
- Power Bank: Anker PowerCore 20100 (A little heavy but amazing especially for multiday adventures)
- Tripod: Vanguard VEO 2 265AB
Tips on how to hike sustainably
So this is something I think about every time I go anywhere and it ranges from things as simple as buying a banana and making a sandwich instead of buying plastic wrapped products to buying clothing from companies that support sustainable business practices.
Here are a few little tips to help you hike more sustainably.
If you travel and hike often one of the things I would suggest investing in is a Water bladder. Osprey makes a nice series of them that range from 1.5 liters to 3 liters. I use one of these every hike unless it is below negative 5 then the water tends to get really cold and or freeze. The benefit for me is that as you drink the packaging gets smaller and you end up with more room in your pack for a jacket or something else you might take off later and you never actually have to take your bag off to get a drink, just hang the straw over your shoulder and drink as you see fit.
A reusable non-plastic water bottle is also something that will cut a crazy amount of plastic waste out of your life. Hydro Flask is one super popular company and they make a massive range of sizes and shapes.
Food, food is almost always wrapped in plastic when you buy it but this has been a surprisingly easy one to get around. It may be a little harder if you are backpacking but we’re traveling in our van so we have a small kitchen. We have started to make everything and package it in reusable containers that we just take on the next hike. Sara has been perfecting making these protein balls that are a mix of oats, peanut butter, cranberries, almonds and whatever else we have lying around. Also fruit! But if you buy fruit do not throw the peel along the track. These things can take forever to break down especially if they are not regional fruits and no one really wants to see someone’s old orange or banana peel lying around on the track.
Clothing is something that is often overlooked as a sustainable product as you just kind of wear things till they are old and then throw them away but there is a range of companies out there these days that are making amazing products built to last. Patagonia is one company I can not push enough. They support so many environmental campaigns, they have a lifetime warranty on everything they sell and they give one percent of all sales back to small grassroots charities. They will also repair any clothes you take into them with minor issues.
Packing List for Lake Marian Hike.
So this is just kind of good overall for any hike in New Zealand in Winter as they can all be pretty similar.
- You are going to want thermals top and bottom and warm socks!(These socks are merino and have a lifetime warranty.. win-win) This seems like common sense but I am from Byron Bay, Australia and when I first started getting into colder climates none of this was common sense to me haha. I had no idea what thermals were.
- Hiking boots or good hiking shoes slipping along with cold feet and toes are the banes of enjoyment when it comes to winter hiking good boots will help reduce this.
- A good jacket, personally I wore two. I had a small down jacket on like the one in the link with a Goretex shell over the top because the wind can get brutal!
- Water and snacks are an obvious must. I would say 1 to 2 liters of water in winter will be enough. I took 1 liter and was perfectly happy with that. Summer may be a very different issue though and I would plan for 2 liters.
- Hiking poles are good to have if you have any issues with slipping or if you just want to save your knees a little bit of stress on the way down. I don’t use these unless it is a very steep hike but they help out a lot with pressure on your knees and if you don’t hike that much but plan on doing a lot in New Zealand they might be a lifesaver.
- Gloves and beanie are also very necessary items!!!
- This might seem a little over the top but being warm and hiking smart are key to staying safe in Winter especially in a place like New Zealand where the weather can be so erratic.
If you like this article or are interested in more hikes in New Zealand you might want to check out a few of these also.
At no extra cost to you, the links attached are affiliate links and by booking or buying through them you help Sara and I out a little 🙂
