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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.47028, 167.16863. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 1.9 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 2 hr return
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Doubtful Sound/Patea area / Fiordland National Park
- 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 in Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound leads around the cove to a stream looking up to Helena Falls.
This DOC directory entry covers Helena Falls Track in Fiordland, within Doubtful Sound/Patea area / Fiordland National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 1.9 km return via same track
- Walking time: 2 hr return
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From Deep Cove Hostel, walk over the hill and turn left to cross the bridge over the Lyvia River.
The start of the track is on the left about 200 m from the Lyvia Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, a loop track of about 45 minutes provides access over undulating terrain to the stream at the base of Helena Falls. Take care when wet as the rocks are slippery.
Opposite the ‘busy’ side of Deep Cove, admire two different areas of regenerating bush, one at the end of the first power station development (1972) and more recently (2002) when a second exhaust pipe (tailrace) was added to the power station to improve efficiency.
Getting there
This track is in Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, starting from Deep Cove Hostel.
The easiest way to get to Doubtful Sound is to travel by boat from Pearl Harbour wharf in Manapouri, across the lake to West Arm, then travel by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove.
This needs to be booked in advance with one of the local transport operators.
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.
