Dore Pass Route: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This challenging tramping route leads from the Milford Road to Glade House on the Milford Track, via Dore Pass.

This DOC directory entry covers Dore Pass Route in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Milford Road/Milford Sound 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: 13.5 km one way
• Walking time: 9 hr
• DOC grade: Expert

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.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This is a challenging tramping route that requires route finding skills, river crossing and alpine experience.

The route offers fine views of the head of Lake Te Anau and the Clinton Valley in good weather, but is difficult for travel when covered in mist.

Getting there

This route begins from the Milford Road, Fiordland, about 70 km north from Te Anau.

The Dore Pass carpark and original start point were washed out. Visitors now need to park at Kiosk Creek Campsite and begin the journey to Dore Pass from there. This change adds approximately 3 km to the original walk.

This is an advanced route requiring route-finding skills and self-navigation. There is no formed track for the re-route.

There are some route markers (orange triangles) located across the road from Kiosk Creek indicating the general direction of travel toward Dore Pass, but walkers should be competent in backcountry navigation.

Know before you go

This is a challenging route so you will need above average fitness and high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills. In winter and spring it is likely that alpine skills and equipment will also be required.

More detailed track information

Further information is available in "Moirs Guide South” edited by Robin McNeill.

Note: If you intend to connect with the Milford Track, note that prior bookings for huts are required and there is no camping allowed.

There may be avalanche danger

Check the avalanche terrain in this area.

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Fiordland National Park. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

Check the avalanche danger before you go on the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

• Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.

• Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.

• Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

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.