The Chasm Walk
Located in Fiordland National Park and Milford Road/Milford Sound area in the Fiordland region
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Introduction
This short walk passes through native bush and ends at the edge of the Cleddau River with views of flowing water over and through the water-sculpted rock formations.400 m return via same track
Dog access
Image gallery
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Platform on The Chasm Walk Image: Benhi Dixon | Creative Commons
![Platform on The Chasm Walk.]( "Platform on The Chasm Walk.")
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The Chasm Image: Benhi Dixon | Creative Commons
![The Chasm.]( "The Chasm.")
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Bridge over the Cleddau River on The Chasm Walk Image: Benhi Dixon | Creative Commons
![People on bridge on The Chasm Walk.]( "People on bridge on The Chasm Walk.")
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Cleddau River at The Chasm Image: Russell Street | Creative Commons
![Cleddau River at The Chasm.]( "Cleddau River at The Chasm.")
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Bush and mountain views Image: Jocelyn Kinghorn | Creative Commons
![Bush and mountains, Chasm Walk. Photo: Jocelyn Kinghorn | (CC BY-SA 2.0.]( "Bush and mountains, Chasm Walk. Photo: Jocelyn Kinghorn | (CC BY-SA 2.0.")
Walk through the native forest to the edge of the Cleddau River. You will be rewarded with views of the river flowing through the water-sculpted rocks and sounds of the water falling through the Chasm.
Thousands of years of swirling water have sculpted shapes and basins in the rock. The sheer velocity of water gives an appreciation of how much rainfall the Milford Sound area receives each year.
You can see the concrete foundations and metal remnants of the viewing gallery bridges washed away during the February 2020 storm – and appreciate the force and volume of water that demolished the two bridges off their footings.
This walk is off the Milford Road, about halfway between Milford Sound and the Homer Tunnel.
The large, well signposted carpark is about 109 km along the Milford Road from Te Anau.
The project work continues to reinstate sections of the storm-damaged Chasm Walk. The plan has two stages:
- Stage one part one: Re-opening the Chasm Walk on 24 April 2023 as a modified experience, allowing visitors to walk through the native forest to view the Chasm from the edge of the Cleddau River only. It won’t be possible to cross the river. This is completed.
Stage one part two: New viewing bridges will be installed over the Cleddau River returning the Chasm Walk back to its pre-storm status. Completion expected by summer 2023/24. - Stage two: Installing flood protection below the car park and a substantial upgrade of the car park itself. Improving access onto and off SH94 and enhanced traffic and pedestrian flow within the parking area. The completion schedule to be finalised, likely during 2024.
For more information, email floodrecovery@doc.govt.nz
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 |