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DAY 1:
Te Anau, Control Gates,
Brod Bay, Luxmore hut
Walk 5 - 6 hours, 13.8
km (8.3 m )
Follow
the path from the Fiordland National Park Visitor
Centre along the shores of Lake Te Anau to the
Control Gates. Then through beech forest to Brod
Bay where drinking water is available from the
lake
The
track to the bushline starts about halfway along
the beach and climbs steadily
for about two hours to limestone bluffs; an ideal
lunch stop. After another hour’s
climb the bushline is reached, providing panoramic
views of the Te Anau Basin,
Takatimu Mountains, and the Snowdon and Earl Mountains.
The
Luxmore Hut ( 1085m ) is about a 45 minute walk
from the bushline. It has 2 bunk rooms with 55
bunks. There is no camping available.
Optional
side trip to the Luxmore Caves. Please leave your
intentions at the hut and have a few light sources
each.
DAY 2:
Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut
Walk 5 - 6 hours / 14.6 km ( 8.8 m)
From
Luxmore Hut the track climbs gradually to a ridge
just below the summit of Mount Luxmore (1472m).
A 10 minute side trip to the summit of Mount Luxmore
provides excellent views.
The
track then descends to a shelter close to the Forest
Burn Saddle. The track sidles, climbs and then
follows a ridge system for about two hours to the
Hanging Valley Shelter.
A
long, open ridge leads toward the Iris Burn and
descends into a Hanging Valley. The track descends
through forest to the Iris Burn Hut (497m). It
has 5 bunk rooms with 50 bunks and 10 campsites.
For
a pleasant evening stroll head up the valley for
20 minutes to Iris Burn Waterfall.
DAY 3:
Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
Walk 5 - 6 hours / 16.2 km ( 9.8 m)
A
steady day’s tramp down through beech forest,
riverside clearings and a gorge.
The track climbs over a low saddle and wanders
through mixed forest. About two and a half hours
from the Iris Burn Hut the track reaches Rocky
Point, a work camp for track maintenance and a
good place for a lunch stop
Below
Rocky Point the track sidles through a gorge to
come out on river flats
near the mouth of the Iris Burn. Nearing Lake Manapouri
the track turns left
through lowland beech and podocarp forest. It follows
the lake shore around Shallow
Bay to Moturau Hut, situated beside a beautiful
beach with panoramic views of Lake
Manapouri.
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