Pros & cons
PROS
- Quick access to stunning alpine tarns within the first hour
- Far fewer people than Fiordland’s headline tracks, real solitude
CONS
- Unmarked rocky ridge to the summit demands solid navigation
- Borland Road can be rough or closed after storms and in winter
Park at the Borland Saddle carpark on Borland Road; check road status and conditions, as closures are common in winter or after storms.
Beyond the tarns the route is largely unmarked on a rocky ridge; carry navigation and be prepared for rapid weather changes. Snow/ice in winter and spring can make upper sections hazardous. Treat tarn water and tread lightly in this fragile alpine ecosystem.
This is Fiordland’s quieter alpine classic: a steep, rewarding climb from Borland Saddle to the Mt Burns tarns, with the option to continue along a rough ridge to the summit. Expect solitude, sculpted tarns set in tussock, and wide-open views across Green Lake, Island Lake, and the remote southern ranges. The full outing is about 10 km / 6.2 miles return and typically takes 6–7 hours; turning around at the tarns makes a much shorter day.
Route overview
From the Borland Saddle trailhead, a short beech-forest warm-up quickly tips you onto the open tops. In roughly 30–60 minutes you’ll reach the first cluster of alpine tarns—mirrorlike pools nestled in glacial hollows and surrounded by distinctive Fiordland montane vegetation. Many hikers make the tarns their turnaround point and still feel they’ve won the day.
Push on and the character changes: a rockier, mostly unmarked ridge leads toward the 1645 m summit of Mt Burns. The travel is never technical mountaineering, but you’ll pick your way over rough, sometimes scrambly ground with occasional route-finding. On a clear day the 360-degree panorama is huge and wonderfully empty of crowds.
Difficulty and safety
Overall difficulty sits in the moderate-to-hard band: an accessible start to the tarns, then a committing, unmarked ridge for the summit. Figure on around 480–500 m of climbing, with steep sections and rough footing near the top. Navigation skills are important in cloud or poor visibility. Fiordland weather turns fast—pack warm, waterproof layers. Snow and ice can linger or arrive unexpectedly in winter and spring, making higher sections hazardous.
Best time to hike
Summer through early autumn (December–April) usually offers the safest conditions, longer daylight, and the least snow. In winter and spring, expect snow/ice and severe, changeable weather; save the summit for settled forecasts.
Logistics and tips
Trailhead access is via Borland Road to Borland Saddle; this road can be rough and is sometimes closed in winter or after storms—check status before you go. Water is available from tarns but treat it. The alpine area is fragile and home to endemic and nationally threatened plant species; stick to durable surfaces around the tarns. If time, weather, or experience are limited, make the tarns your goal—you won’t feel shortchanged.
Where it starts
-45.7458, 167.3803Near Mt Burns Route
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayMount Burns Tarns TrackShort, punchy climb to mirror-like alpine tarns above Borland SaddleModerate · 0.9 mi · 1 hr
0 mi awayBorland SaddleRoad-accessed alpine saddle to big views and Mt Burns tarnsTrailhead · Pullout
1.2 mi awayMount BurnsTarn-studded alpine ridge with big Fiordland views and few peopleTrailhead · Parking
7.9 mi awayBorland Nature WalkMossy beech forest loop with a swing bridge and zero crowds.Easy · 1.4 mi · 36 min
8.2 mi awayGreen Lake TrackRemote Fiordland tramp to a serene alpine lake and hutChallenging · 10.6 mi · 9 hr
8.2 mi awayRodger Inlet TrackRemote, rugged tramping to a tiny hut on Lake Monowai’s edgeChallenging · 12.4 mi · 12 hr
8.8 mi awayMount TitiroaSnow-white granite summit with wild boulders and vast Fiordland viewsScenic Viewpoint
9.8 mi awayLake MonowaiQuiet lake with forest campsite, trout, and hydro historyTrailhead · Restroom
