About Ultimate Hikes

Quintin Mackinnon pioneered the Milford Track in the 1880s and was the first guide to be employed by the government -  who controlled the track until 1992 when the licence to operate it was sold to Tourism Milford Ltd, trading now as Ultimate Hikes.

The Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks had their beginnings in the 1860s when the idea of a wagon trail through the Southern Alps to the West Coast was proposed, but never eventuated. A private guided walking company began on the Routeburn in 1967 and on the Greenstone in 1985, then sold to Ultimate Hikes in 1989. In ensuing years extensive work and investment has gone into upgrading the facilities to provide a world class hiking adventure.

We offer fully catered multi day and single day guided walks. Multi day walks include the 'finest walk in the world' - the Milford Track Guided Walk, Routeburn Track Guided Walk, Grand Traverse Guided Walk which incorporate and the Greenstone Valley with the Routeburn Track. Our single day walks or 'Encounters' include the Routeburn Track Encounter and the Milford Track Encounter.

Our guided walking packages are all inclusive and fully catered. Our guides are trained in first aid and are in radio contact with each other and our Queenstown & Te Anau bases at all times. Accommodation on multi day walks is provided in our privately owned, lodges. The lodges provide all the modern comforts - hot showers,  drying rooms, comfy beds and fine Kiwi cuisine.

Our mission is to introduce some of New Zealand's finest walking areas, offering comfortable accommodations and delicious food in a safe environment to provide a memorable experience for walkers of all ages and abilities.