New section of the trail showcases rolling terrain and winding streams

By Julie Walls – Focus Media

The Fiordland Trails Trust celebrated the completion of another stage of the trail from the Lake Te Anau boat harbour to the boundary of the Fiordland National Park.

The official opening of the 1.8km addition from Patience Bay to Sinclair Rd was held on ANZAC Weekend on Monday 27 April.

A community ride/walk on the new section saw over 30 bikers and similar number for walkers.

David Boniface Chair of Fiordland Trails Trust opened the new section of the trail.

“We were thrilled by the numbers in attendance and more particularly by the positive feedback about this section and encouragement of our trust for the volunteer work we do developing and maintaining a top class trail network”.

“Craig and Suzanne Smith had the honour of cutting the ribbon for the opening of the new trail. The couple have continued to be very strong supporters of FTT and have been very generous with a number of donations to us. It was appropriate that they ‘cut the ribbon’ as a Patience Bay residents”, said Mr Boniface.

Rolling terrain, winding streams and a terrace perched 40 metres above Lake Te Anau set the scene for the newest stretch of off-road trail and opened for cyclists, walkers and runners to enjoy.

While relatively short, this section has been complex to deliver. Wildlife permit requirements, a detailed lizard management plan, evolving compliance conditions, weather challenges and contractor availability have all contributed to delays.

The result, however, is worth the wait. The new section presents a 9.8km trail from the Te Anau Boat Harbour to Sinclair Road, offering a scenic out-and-back experience, as well as a valuable off-road connection for Sinclair Road residents into the township.

Fiordland Trails Trust Chair David Boniface says the route choice was deliberate.

“The Trust opted to locate the trail to provide access to Sinclair Road, rather than simply hugging the lake shoreline,” he says.

“Despite some significant design and engineering challenges, the end result is a truly distinctive section of trail, with stunning views over the South Arm of Lake Te Anau and the Upukerora Delta. It’s quite different to other sections, traversing undulating terrain with entrenched streams and regenerating native vegetation, rising to a terrace 40 metres above the lake.”

Looking ahead, a further 1.8km of trail heading north is also now under construction. Lizard management protocols have been completed, initial access formed, and vegetation clearance will take place in the coming weeks, with the Trust eyeing a completion date in the spring.

The Trust is also in the midst of a major fundraising campaign, with a target of $790,000, to enable it to complete the Lake2Lake Trail as a fully off-road experience from Te Anau to Manapouri, and extend the trail north even further to the to-be-constructed Eweburn Bridge.

The campaign is gaining strong momentum. With significant contributions from Community Trust South, Meridian Energy, a prominent local family, and a growing number of community donations, more than 50 percent of the target has now been reached.

Although the fundraising continues in earnest, the progress has given the Trust confidence to move forward with construction planning for the next stage of connecting the Lake2Lake Trail between Balloon Loop and Supply Bay Roads. All going well, this could be completed before winter 2027.

For information please refer to our website www.fiordlandtrails.nz