Green Lake Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This tramping track leads to a hut at attractive Green Lake in Monowai, Fiordland.

This DOC directory entry covers Green Lake 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: 3.5 - 6 hr to hut
• 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 offers an excellent long day walk to the lake or an overnight stay at Green Lake Hut.

Start either from the saddle on Borland Road, or the Lake Monowai carpark.

There are great opportunities for photography and fishing, and you could combine tracks to check out Historic Clark Hut - see Borland Road to Monowai Hut Track.

Borland Road to Green Lake Hut - 3.5 hrs, 8km

From the Borland Road, the track passes Borland Bivvy and low lying areas of tussock and small lakes and low beech covered saddles.

Turning off at the junction to Green Lake, the track climbs a steep bush-clad hill before descending to the shores of Green Lake.

The Green Lake Hut is at the far end of the tussock covered shoreline.

Green Lake Hut to Lake Monowai Car Park - 6hr, 11km

From Green Lake, the track follows the lake shore before climbing to a saddle near Mt Cuthbert, descending into the bush again and eventually passing the Rodger Inlet Track junction.

Getting there

This track starts at the Lake Monowai carpark or the Borland Saddle (Borland Road) in Monowai, Southland.

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.