Place · 0 mi away
Why go
If you want instant alpine without a multi-day commitment, this short track delivers. From Borland Saddle you’re in mossy beech forest for a few minutes, then pop onto open tussock tops dotted with reflective alpine tarns. On a clear day you’ll score sweeping views toward the Grebe Valley and even Green Lake in the distance. The area’s a hotspot for rare and fragile alpine plants—slow down and look closely.
Trail notes
This is an out-and-back to the tarns, about 0.9 miles total (roughly 1.4 km) and typically 45–60 minutes return. Despite the modest stats, it’s an Advanced-grade tramping track with short steep pinches, uneven tussock, and occasionally muddy or rocky patches. The route is straightforward to the tarns and feels wonderfully remote compared to Fiordland’s famous great walks.
Extend to the summit (experienced only)
Beyond the tarns a challenging, unmarked route continues to Mount Burns. Expect steep terrain and real navigation—this is for well-equipped trampers only. Plan a much longer day (around 6–7 hours return and roughly 10 km) if you go for the summit.
Best time to hike
Summer through early autumn offers the most reliable conditions and the biggest views. In winter, snow and ice can turn the exposed tops into a no-go, and the access road may be closed. For photos, aim for early or late in the day when the tarns are calm and the light is soft; misty days can be moody but shrink your views.
Access and logistics
Start at Borland Saddle on Borland Road (a rough gravel road originally built for the Manapouri hydro scheme). The road can close in winter due to snow and avalanche risk—check status before you go. There are no facilities at the trailhead; the nearest accommodation is Borland Lodge, about 40 minutes away by car.
Tips
- Wear sturdy footwear and bring warm, waterproof layers—weather flips fast on these tops.
- Treat the alpine environment with care. Stick to the track and avoid trampling the unique flora.
- If you’re not fully prepared for off-track travel, turn around at the tarns—you won’t feel shortchanged.
Pros
- Immediate treeline access with an unusual number of alpine tarns
- Rich, fragile alpine flora including Fiordland endemics and threatened species
- Typically quieter than Fiordland’s marquee tracks
Cons
- Access via Borland Road can close in winter and after storms
- Short but advanced-grade terrain with steep, uneven sections
Parking
Park at the Borland Saddle carpark on Borland Road; no facilities at the trailhead.
Caution
Rapid weather changes on exposed tops; fragile alpine plants; steep uneven sections; Borland Road may be closed in winter; route beyond the tarns to the summit is unmarked and for experienced trampers only.
