20 Rankers Reviews
16 Face-to-Face
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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The loop track passes through red beech forest and gives glimpses of the birdlife typical of the Eglinton Valley. Side trips can be made to several lake beaches and sheltered fishing spots.
75 km from Te Anau along Milford Road, turn left at the signpost to Cascade Creek. The parking area by the start of the track is signposted shortly after on the right.
The wide metalled track shortly forks to form a loop. Following the loop clockwise, make sure you take the short detour to the outlet of Lake Gunn. You’ll realise why when you’re there.
Back on the main loop there a few informal side tracks to the edge of Lake Gunn, with benches provided by narrow pebbled beaches on the lake’s southern shores.
The rest of the track continues to pass through the luxuriant forest, dominated by some massive red beech tress. An unusual number seem to be scarred with burls. Look also for the damaged areas caused by wind bombs.
Damage sustained by wind bombs are a feature of the landscape in narrow, steep sided valley areas. When storms occur, the rapid up movement of air associated with convective rainfall is balanced by a downdraught, which can be tremendously fierce. In some instances it can strip a tree of branches and create a light well, as seen in sections of the walk.
The red beech here are particularly lofty.
Lake Gunn was named after George Gunn. In 1861 with David McKellar, the two wealthy Southland runholders climbed Key Summit (on today’s Routeburn Track) at the Divide and spied the lake. They also took note of the Hollyford Valley, which they felt was too densely timbered to be of use as pasture. Gunn eventually emigrated to Mexico, where he was murdered over a land dispute.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC FiordlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Milford Sound - Fiordland National Park |
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Categories |
Showing 13 reviews of 17.
Scott Lindique
Ranking: 8/10
Good camp site if you get there early ( 4pm ) otherwise pretty average. Lots of toilets and cleanish. Water supply is plentiful.
Road around the campground is very dusty in summer. Overall good for a one night stop over.
andrew
Ranking: 7/10
nice walk
Raphaele
Ranking: 10/10
One of the best stops along the war to Milford. The walk through the rainforest is easy, beautiful and not overcrowded with tourists. Beautiful and tranquil view of Lake Gunn.
Marilli
Ranking: 10/10
That’s the only walk I will rate because it was so awesome 😍
You feel like the trees are alive in there! So beautiful
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Amy Smith
Ranking: 6/10
Pretty walk and relatively easy but at times the correct route is unclear and muddy which can lead to some confusion.
Sam Howard
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful, really interesting walk through the forest. Felt a lot like Lord of the Rings territory. Could have been better signposted around the Lake.
Jacques Scohy
Ranking: 8/10
Short walk inside a fairy forest that looks like Lord of the Rings decor.
Alvaro Rodriguez
Ranking: 10/10
Easy 30 minute track from Cascade Creek with beautiful views of Lake Gunn at the end.
Ferry and Carlyn
Ranking: 10/10
Easy path, beautiful forest and amazing view of Lake Gunn. Well maintained.
Leonie Prendeville
Ranking: 9/10
It is only a short walk but it is absolutely beautiful. We felt like we were in Fanghorn Forest from Lord of the Rings. It is great
Alina Hummel
Ranking: 7/10
Get a nice impression of New Zealand's landscape on a short walk (30 minutes).
Janis Gallois
Ranking: 10/10
Perfect lake and good/interesting nature walk.
Renate
Ranking: 9/10
Very impressive plants especially the trees and ferns.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍