Exploring the Green Lake Track
The Green Lake Track is a scenic 17-kilometre tramp located in Fiordland, New Zealand. This track stretches from Lake Monowai to Borland Road, providing a captivating journey through mountainous and forested terrain.
The track features the picturesque Green Lake and the Green Lake Hut, situated at over 800 metres above sea level. Surrounded by peaks reaching up to 1,400 metres, the area provides a truly immersive alpine experience. Hikers can choose to complete the track as a day walk to the lake and back or arrange transport at the other end, with the option of an overnight stay at the hut.
Track Details and Scenery
Beginning at Borland Road, which is 780 metres above sea level, the track initially passes Borland Bivvy. Hikers will traverse mostly flat high country tussock. The route then leads through a mix of beech forest and tussock as it climbs towards the Green Lake.
While the track is generally easy, a notable feature is a 250-metre climb through beech forest as you approach the lake. This climb reaches a high point of 929 metres before descending to the lake at 800 metres. The distance to the lake is approximately 5 km, and 6.8 kilometres (around 3 hours) to reach the hut.
Side Trip to Island Lake
For those interested in a detour, there is a 600-metre side track to Island Lake, located about two-thirds of the way to Green Lake from Borland Road. This option provides an additional scenic experience for hikers.
Continuing to Lake Monowai
From Green Lake to Lake Monowa is 9 kilometres. This path involves a more significant downhill, going over a high point at 900 metres and then dropping to 200 metres at Lake Monowai. Most of this section is in beech forest.
How to Get There
To access the Green Lake Track, Take Lake Monowai Road from the main highway between Clifden and Lake Monowai. Continue to the lake if you are starting from the Lake Monowai end of the track. Or, take Borland Road from the intersection with Monowai Road, crossing over Borland Saddle, and continuing until you see the rough access road to the Borland Bivouac and trailhead.
Also, check out the Grebe Valley viewpoint, the Mt Burns Tops Track at Borland Saddle, the Borland Nature Walk and Monowai Lookout Track while in the area.
