Borland Road
Located in Lake Monowai/Borland Road area in the Fiordland region
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Introduction
You can mountain bike the Borland Road which leads from Borland Lodge to South Arm. Lookouts offer stunning views.40.4 km
Mountain biking
Intermediate: Grade 3Seasonal restrictions
Borland Road closes periodically, including during the winter. This is normally from around King's Birthday weekend in early June to Labour Weekend in late October, but it is condition dependant.
Dog access
From the gate just after Borland Lodge it is about 15 km up the Borland Road to Borland Saddle (990 m above sea level).
A toilet, parking and natural history information are available at the saddle. From the saddle, you can see alpine flowers and the remains of a momentous landslide – the largest documented landslide of its type in the world.
After the saddle the road goes down to the South Arm of Lake Manapouri. The road narrows past the junction leading to the Borland Bivvy and the start of the Green Lake track. Take the rough but short left fork to reach Borland Bivvy or continue over the small bridge to head toward South Arm. Note that the road grade steepens noticeably beyond the Grebe Valley Lookout.
About Borland Road
The Borland Road is maintained for power line construction and is unsealed, narrow and steep in places, and subject to slips, washouts, snow, ice, high winds and fallen trees.
There is no fuel, communication (including no cell phone coverage) or emergency services along Borland Road, therefore only those properly equipped should attempt to travel along the road.
It is usually fine for walking, mountain biking, 4WD vehicles and some other vehicles depending on conditions. It is not suitable for campervans, caravans or trailers. Vehicles are not allowed off the main road.
The road closes at times either fully or partially, always check for alerts on the day when you plan to drive/bike/walk the road. Points of closure may also be from the Grebe Lookout, or just beyond the Eldrig Peak Track turnoff.
Lake Monowai and the Borland Road are located about 67 km from Te Anau (1 hour), and 120 km from Invercargill (1 hour 45 minutes) and can be accessed via the Southern Scenic Route.
From Te Anau, drive south via the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway and onto the Blackmount-Redcliff Rd. After 55 km (about 40 minutes), turn right into Lake Monowai Rd just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge (reached after about 20 minutes).
From Invercargill, drive 77 km to Clifden (65 minutes) then head north on the Clifden-Blackmount Rd (25 km, 20 minutes) until turning left into the Lake Monowai Rd, just north of the Blackmount School. Follow signs to Borland Lodge.
Borland Road is unsealed, narrow and steep in places. It is subject to slips, washouts, snow, ice, high winds and fallen trees. In extreme conditions, there is also avalanche risk on the east side of the saddle.
Conditions are very changeable. Users should be prepared for extreme conditions, even if the road remains open.
Construction of the Borland Road began in 1963 to enable erection and servicing of a transmission line between West Arm Power Station on Lake Manapouri and Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter near Invercargill.
The road is now maintained by the power station but access is allowed for recreation into this special area.
Contacts
| Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 249 7924 |
| fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Lakefront Drive Te Anau 9600 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |