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Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 9 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area
- Seasonal restrictions
- The Borland Road may be closed at any time. Check alerts for the Borland Road.
- 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 tramping track leads from Borland Saddle to a hut at the northern end of Lake Monowai in Fiordland National Park.
This DOC directory entry covers Borland Road to Monowai Hut Track 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 9 hr one way
- DOC grade: Advanced
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.
Seasonal restrictions
The Borland Road may be closed at any time. Check alerts for the Borland Road.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This tramping track is in a very attractive area. The track leads from the Borland Saddle past Island Lake, the Historic Clark Hut and Clark Hut to Monowai Hut at the northern end of Lake Monowai.
There are great opportunities for photography and fishing.
You can return the same way, or come out at Lake Monowai car park by combining with the Green Lake Track.
There are windfalls on the track, so expect longer walking times.
Borland Road to Clark Hut - 5 hrs, 10km
From the Borland Saddle, the track starts on the south side of the Borland Road.
The track passes Borland Bivvy and low lying areas of tussock and two small lakes and low beech covered saddles, on the way to the junction with the track to Green Lake.
At this junction, turn right and continue past Island Lake, through tussock clearings and bush to Clark Hut. From here the historic Clark Hut can be reached with a 30 minute walk through the swampy clearing.
Clark Hut to Monowai Hut - 4 hrs, 6.5km
From Clark Hut, the track enters the bush edge and crosses the Grebe River, climbing to a saddle before descending gently to the Monowai Hut on the northern shore of Lake Monowai.
Getting there
This track starts from Borland Saddle on 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).
Borland Road
From the gate near Borland Lodge it is about 15 km up the Borland Road to Borland Saddle (990m above sea level).
A toilet, parking and natural history information are available at the saddle.
Borland Road access
The Borland Road is unsealed, narrow and steep in places, and subject to slips, washouts, snow, ice, high winds and fallen trees.
It is usually fine for walking, mountain biking, 4WD vehicles and some other vehicles (depending on conditions).
It is not suitable for campervans, caravans or trailers. Vehicles are not allowed off the main road.
There are no fuel, communication (including cell phone coverage) or emergency services along its length, therefore only those properly equipped should attempt to negotiate the road.
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.
