Pearl Harbour to Hope Arm Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The track leads through beech forest to a very pleasant bay on Lake Manapouri, with a great swimming spot and hut.

This DOC directory entry covers Pearl Harbour to Hope Arm Track in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Lake Manapouri 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: 4-6 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 the jetty on the other side of the Waiau River, follow the track for 15 minutes. Bypass the Circle Track sign on the left - carry on straight ahead.

The track follows close to the lake edge a few times and there are some unofficial tracks that lead to the lake itself.

From here the track climbs gently to the spur where the Circle Track rejoins the main track.

Continue straight ahead again until reaching the Back Valley/Hope Arm Hut junction.

Turn right for Hope Arm and proceed through a narrow neck of forest on boardwalk over swampland.

Cross the bridge over the Garnock Burn and shortly you will reach Hope Arm beach which is good for swimming. Hope Arm Hut is at the far end of the beach for shelter or overnight stays.

Hope Arm to Garnock Burn, 3 - 3.5 hr one way (4.5 km)

Behind the Hope Arm hut the track climbs steadily alongside a small stream to a peat swamp, then towards the Snow White tussock clearings in the upper Garnock Burn valley where there is good camping.

The area provides good hunting and pleasant tramping. Mt. Titiroa can be reached from the Snow White clearings (for details see Moirs Guide South below).

Hope Arm Hut to Back Valley Hut, 1 - 1.5 hr one way

This tramping track allows side trips from either hut, or loop track options.

Getting there

This track starts and finishes at Pearl Harbour, Manapouri, Fiordland.

To get to the start of the track you need to cross the Waiau River. There are water taxis available in the summer season. For options contact: Adventure Manapouri or Fiordland Outdoors Company.

To get to Manapouri from Te Anau (21 km, 20 minutes drive), follow the Manapouri - Te Anau Highway SH95.

The wharf at Pearl Harbour is 500 m past the shops on Waiau St, and the carpark is accessed from View St (left turn south of shops).

Know before you go

From Hope Arm to Garnock Burn and beyond is a route so you will need above average fitness and high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills.

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.