Lake Marian Track
Hollyford Road - Fiordland National Park
65 Rankers Reviews
53 Face-to-Face
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
The Lake Marian (695 metres) is a total gem near the Hollyford Road. Nested in a bowl, surrounded by 1500 metre high sheer granite walls, scoured to the vertical by glaciers, the remnants of which cling tenaciously to the mountain tops and sprout myriad small waterfalls - need we go on!
Access
1 km down the Lower Hollyford Road, there is a small parking area on the left by the start of the track.
Track
Cross the swingbridge over the Hollyford River and begin your climb. The first 10 minutes to the cantilevered gantries above a rushing section of Marian Creek, is well-metalled and of even footing.
The rest of the track is much more gnarled, with rocks, roots and occasional muddy patches. Around 20 minutes before the lake you cross a rock slide that weaves the track to the northern side of the gorge. It is one of those tracks when you think you are nearly there, but the brow of the hill keeps retreating. Eventually, you sense a change in vegetation- ferns to moss and a more stunted tree growth.
Then the lake appears and the climb suddenly becomes worthwhile.
Geology
The Marian Valley is a perfect example of a hanging valley, the remaining legacy of a tributary glacier that met the main Hollyford Glacier. Smaller glaciers possess less erosive power and are less able to incise deeply into the bedrock. They thus meet the main valley glacier at the same height, but do not cut down as deep. When the glaciers melt, the hanging valleys are left perching above the main valley.
Flora
Consolidated screes fan out at the base of the mountains, some devoid of vegetation cover, but most tinged green with tussock, ferns, and shrubs.
European History
Lake Marian was named by surveyor E.H Wilmot after his cousin Marian Little.
Feature
The water is a deep jade green and on calm days reflects the majestic surroundings. A rocky shore on the lake edge offers a choice of spots for a feed, while checking out the waterfalls, waterfowl and breathtaking mountain sculptures. Mount Crosscut, obviously named because it’s jagged peaks resemble the teeth of a crosscut saw, dominates the view.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Milford Sound - Fiordland National Park |
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Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 63.
Brennon Lanigan
Ranking: 3/10
To be honest, I didn’t find the walk was worth the effort. Lots of rocks to climb over & uneven trail. I found it very hard on my knees & hips. There was very little view as you walked through the bush. To be fair I’ve spent a lot of time in the Rocky Mtns of Canada and have seen several glacier lakes. This one wasn’t overly impressive. Gertrude’s saddle was far more interesting with all the small avalanches going off around you (September 2018- was closed when we were there 2 weeks ago)
Nicki Chow
Ranking: 10/10
The walk was hard at times and pretty muddy in some spots but worth it at the end. Lake Marian is beautiful and fun to take a dip in after so make sure you bring swimwear. Water was a bit chilly!
Davina
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful !! I was a bit ill at the time so I found the walk up hill quite hard, but it didn’t take very long and was totally worth it. Stunning. We walked into the bush a bit past the immediate beach to find our own private area. There’s a toilet up there too. I can imagine it could get a bit cramped if you went at a peak hour as there’s not loads of space for people to be there. But so lush for a short walk
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Kay Simpkin
Ranking: 8/10
Interesting walk/occasional scramble through the forest to an alpine lake. Time is right and you will have the place all to yourself.
Matthew
Ranking: 9/10
Just before the Homer Tunnel on the way to Milford Sound this track follows a flowing river before climbing to a stunning alpine lake. While the track is uphill and bumpy in places, it should be achievable for most and is worth the effort. Take swimming shorts in summer.
Justine Langero
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful walk of two hours until the lake, some difficult part on the way with trees on the way.
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Anna
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful walk, well marked. Fun scrambling over the rocks to the top. Fantastic views of the lake and waterfalls at the top. Very peaceful.
Joerg
Ranking: 9/10
Absolutely stunning, even with rain. Do it!
Celine
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful walk in the bush to reach the lake, beautiful colour, beautifull waterfall and an enjoyable walk.
Congratulations Lake Marian Track - Hollyford Road - Fiordland National Park
Rankers TravellerVoted Awards 2011 Top Day Walk in NZ Winner
Michael L
Ranking: 9/10
Far from touristic Milford Sound, we have done a walk through bush and near beautiful waterfall to an isolated lake. As usual, the colour of the lake was splendid.
Kristin Pogue
Ranking: 8/10
Rooty, wet tramp to a tranquil alpine lake.
Stephen Timko
Ranking: 9/10
Steep hike up to the beautiful alpine lake. The rapids/waterfall in the middle of the journey is astounding!! Only issue was that some areas of the trail were flooded, so we had to do some 'creative' stream crossings.
Christian Bobsu
Ranking: 10/10
The forest, the walk over a bridge, awesome view above the lake, not many places to sit down, good signs.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
