Short Walks

Te Anau, Manapouri and the Milford Road have numerous short walking tracks that vary in length from 30 minutes to half or full day walking excursions, with each offering different attractions and scenery.

Further information about short walks in Fiordland can be obtained from the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland National Park Visitors Centre, Te Anau. Visit www.doc.govt.nz

[Milford Road]   [Te Anau]   [Manapouri]

Milford Road

The Milford Road is a spectacular alpine highway that traverses valley, rainforest and alpine scenery.  Shorts walks along this road are:   Lake Mistletoe Duration: 45 minutes return Located at Te Anau Downs, Lake Mistletoe is an attractive forest walk. Mirror Lakes Duration: 10 minutes Small lakes seen from the wheelchair accessible boardwalk provide outstanding reflective views of the Earl Mountains. Knob's Flat Here an interpretive display shows the effect of avalanches on the Milford Road and gives some information on the wildlife of the Eglinton Valley. Lake Gunn Nature Walk Duration: 45 minutes return This easy 45 minute loop walk is suited to all ages, is wheelchair accessible and provides an introduction to tall red beech forest and birdlife typical of the Eglinton Valley. Key Summit Duration: 3 hours return This alpine nature walk begins at The Divide carpark and follows the Routeburn Track for about an hour until the track branches off on a 30 minute climb to Key Summit.  Lake Howden Duration: 3 hours return Begins at The Divide carpark and on the Routeburn Track, but continues to Lake Howden and the Howden Hut, which can provide shelter for a snack before the return trip. Earland Falls Duration: 6 hours return This track also begins at The Divide carpark but takes you further along the Routeburn Track, past the Howden Hut and towards Mackenzie Hut.  Along the way, clearings provide excellent views of the Hollyford Valley.  The Falls are 174m high. Lake Marian Falls Duration: 20 minutes return Lake Marian Duration: 3 hours return Located off the Hollyford Road, the track crosses the Hollyford River by swing-bridge then passes through silver beech forest to a spectacular series of waterfalls after approx 10 minutes walking. The track then becomes a little steeper and continues through the forest to Lake Marion. Lake Marion is a hanging valley formed by glacial action. The lake is above the bush line and reflects the Darren Mountains which surround it. Lake Marian offers photographers some beautiful reflections on a still day. Humboldt Falls Duration: 30 minutes return This walk starts from the end of the unsealed Hollyford Road. A well graded track takes you on a short climb through rainforest to the lookout of the impressive Humboldt Falls Hidden Falls Duration: 4-6 hours return The track follows the Hollyford river and offers occasional views of the Darran Mountains.   Hidden Falls Hut (12 bunks) is a further 20 minutes along the track over the bridge. Gertrude Saddle Route Duration: 4 hours return This track begins at the Homer Tunnel and is very steep and not suitable for anyone with limited tramping experience, or a dislike for heights, allows breathtaking views of the valley and parts of Milford Sound. Please note - this is an alpine route and is subject to avalanches after snow. Please check with the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre for track conditions before starting, whatever the season. East Homer Nature Walk Duration: 20 minutes return Located beside the eastern portal of the Homer Tunnel this short self-guided nature walk gives you an opportunity to learn more about the alpine landscape and how plants and animals survive here. The Chasm Duration: 20 minutes return This walk on the Milford side of the Homer Tunnel is well signposted and very popular. Two foot bridges over the Cleddau River offer dramatic views of a series of powerful waterfalls. Tutuko Valley Duration: 5 hours return This route is accessed from the Tutuko bridge on the Milford Road and is lightly marked for approximately 2.5 hours.  Return to the carpark at this stage, or if you have experience with river crossings and have good navigation skills continue further up the river bed. Piopiotahi Milford Foreshore Walk Duration: 30 minutes At the entry to the main visitor carpark at Milford Sound you will find the start of this interpretive walk. Relax and enjoy the sea air while watching the boats taking visitors out on cruises on Milford Sound. Some of the best views of Mitre Peak are from this walk. Take sandfly repellent with you!

Te Anau

The township of Te Anau provides an excellent base and scenic location to explore lake and forest short walks. From the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre: to Ivon Wilson Park Duration: 15 minutes Ivon Wilson Park is 35 hectares, planted with native and exotic trees. There are several attractive paths leading to picturesque Lake Henry which is stocked with rainbow and brown trout as a children’s fishery. to Wildlife Park Duration: 10 minutes The aviaries and pens that house the birds are set in beautiful grounds with views of the lake. Free flying birds enjoy the trees that have been planted there, and the ducks like the waters edge below the boardwalk by the lake. to Control Gates Duration: 50 minutes The Control Gates regulate water flows between lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for the West Arm hydroelectric power station and mark the beginning of the Kepler Track. Excellent lake and mountain views are enjoyed as the track crosses open land below the golf course. to the Rodeo Grounds: 30 minutes Follow the Te Anau lakeshore toward the main shopping centre; continue along the footpath to the boat harbour at Bluegum Point. to Upukerora River: 3 hours return Walk to the Rodeo Grounds (as above), then continue round the lake front to the mouth of the Upukerora River. Return either the same way, or follow the gravel road along side the river to the Milford Sound Highway and back into town. Although not in Fiordland National Park both these walks provide pleasant views of the Murchison Mountains and Lake Te Anau. From the Control Gates to:  Dock Bay: 1 hour return (Kepler Track) Brod Bay: 3 hours return (Kepler Track) Luxmore Hut: 8-10 hours return (Kepler Track) From the Control Gates the track follows the lake edge through mountain and red beech forest. Dock Bay is suitable for swimming and has toilet facilities.  The track continues around the lake for another hour to Brod Bay. From here the track ascends steeply through mountain and silver beech forest, passes under towering limestone bluffs, and climbs above the bush line to Luxmore Hut. This strenuous, full-day walk provides impressive views of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, and the Te Anau basin. Brod Bay to Te Anau (Kepler Track) Duration: 3 - 4 hours Catch a lift with a local water taxi across the Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay (or walk - see above) and enjoy a pleasant walk on the Kepler Track beside the lake which will lead you back to Te Anau via the Wildlife Park. The visitor centre has departure times and rates of the water taxi. Luxmore Hut to Te Anau (Kepler Track) Duration: 4 - 5 hours A helicopter can drop you off at Luxmore Hut so you can walk back down the mountain into Te Anau. There are beautiful views over the Te Anau basin on a nice day.  Contact an information centre for details on helicopter availability and rates. This trip is weather dependant. Control Gates to Rainbow Reach (Kepler Track) Duration: - 2 hours 30 minutes The track follows the terraces of the Waiau River through red and mountain beech forest.  There is a swingbridge to cross over the Waiau River to get to Rainbow Reach. A A shuttle bus service back to Te Anau during the summer months. Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut (Kepler Track) Duration: 3 hours - 3 hour 30 minute return Rainbow Reach is 12 km from Te Anau on the Manapouri/Te Anau Highway.  The track is gently undulating and wanders through mountain beech forest with some great river views. Some scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near this part of the river. Further along cross a kettle bog then continue to the shores of Lake Manapouri - the Moturau and Shallow Bay Huts are near the lake shore and offer shelter and toilet facilities. The Wilderness Lookout Duration: 5 minutes The Wilderness is situated on SH 94, 15-20 minutes drive from Te Anau towards Mossburn. The track is wheelchair accessible, and leads to a viewing platform over ancient, low and slow growing Halocarpus bidwilli bog pine forest.  Although not in Fiordland National Park, the 360 degree views of the Takitimu Mountains and foothills, Fiordland National Park and farmland are spectacular.

Manapouri

Manapouri township is set on the shores of dramatic Lake Manapouri at the mouth of the Waiau River, 20 minutes drive from Te Anau and offers a range of short walks to explore lakeshore and forest scenery with spectacular vistas. Frasers Beach Duration: 30 minutes The views from the beach of the national park are awe-inspiring, especially at sunset.  Walk along the beach, or the track parallel to the beach. The track starts and finishes from Pearl Harbour or at the road entrance just north of Manapouri township. Access to the following walking tracks require a crossing of the Waiau River at Pearl Harbour to the jetty on the opposite shore. There are water taxis available, or row boats can be hired.  Circle Track Duration: 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes Follows the river, then heads up a hill to a view point overlooking the lake before descending the ridgeline to the Hope Arm Track. Pearl Harbour to Hope Arm Duration: 4 to 6 hours return This track offers views of the Manapouri boat harbour from the terraces above the river, Lake Manapouri, diverse understorey of plants until reaching the Back Valley/Hope Arm Hut junction. Turn right for Hope Arm and proceed through a narrow neck of forest on boardwalk over swampland. Cross the bridge over the Garnock Burn and shortly you will descend on to Hope Arm Beach. The hut is sited at the far end of the beach. Pearl Harbour to Back Valley Hut Duration: 4 to 5 hours return This track passes through beech and podocarp forest and a stand of ribbonwood before emerging in some small clearings, where the hut is situated. From the hut it is possible to do a side trip up to Lake Rakatu. The trip takes an extra 2 hours return and the track is very muddy as it follows the creek to the lake. Pearl Harbour return via Hope Arm and Back Valley Huts Duration: 6 to 7 hours This is a loop walk visiting both huts and passing through the Garnock Burn which is spanned by a three wire bridge. The Monument Track Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours return A water taxi or private boat is required to the start of the track, two kilometres north of the Hope Arm Hut. From here it is a short, but challenging, 290 metre climb to the Monument summit. From the top there are spectacular views of Lake Manapouri and the surrounding mountains. Stockyard Cove Track Also known as the Waterfall track Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour return Travel by boat to Stockyard Cove at the western entrance to Hope Arm.  Two tracks led from this point.  The first heads west to West Beach where there are nice view of Lake Manapouri.  The second passes through ancient podocarp forest, climbing briefly until reaching the high bluff waterfalls and then descending through mountain beech forest to the lake edge.