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Key facts
- Distance
- 2.2km loop
- Walking time
- 40 min return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This easy loop track in Fiordland forest in Monowai is suitable for families.
This DOC directory entry covers Borland Nature Walk in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.2km loop
- Walking time: 40 min return
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Borland suspension bridge closed; First published on 27 June 2025. Last reviewed on 7 October 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This is a loop track walk. From Borland Lodge, head towards the Borland Road gate where you will find signs for the start of the nature walk.
The walk leads through gentle Fiordland forest with a variety of plant types, many small bush birds and a picturesque creek. It is a great place to spot flowering pikiraki/mistletoe in summer.
Getting there
This walk starts from Borland Lodge (Borland Road), in Monowai, Fiordland.
Lake Monowai and the Borland Road are located about 67 km from Te Anau (1 hour), and 120 km from Invercargill (1 hour 45 min) and can be accessed via the Southern Scenic Route.
From Te Anau
Drive south via the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway and onto the Blackmount-Redcliff Rd. After 55 km (about 40 min), turn right into Lake Monowai Rd just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).
From Invercargill
Drive 77 km to Clifden (65 min) then head north on the Clifden-Blackmount Rd (25 km, 20 min) until turning left into the Lake Monowai Rd, just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
