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Hiking

Mirror Lakes: a short boardwalk stop on the Milford Road

ReGear

Stop at Mirror Lakes on the Milford Road for an easy 400 m return boardwalk, mountain reflections and a practical ten-minute walking break.

Mountains reflected in Mirror Lakes beside the Milford Road.

Mirror Lakes is a quick lakeside stop rather than a half-day hike. Its boardwalk brings you close to the water, where the Earl Mountains can reflect on a calm surface. It works well as a gentle break during the drive through Fiordland.

Quick facts

  • About 400 m return; allow ten minutes plus viewing time.
  • Easy boardwalk; wheelchair accessible.
  • Milford Road, about 56 km north of Te Anau.
  • No dogs.

Entrance and getting there

Look for the signed roadside parking on the Milford Road. Park fully clear of traffic and use the marked access to the boardwalk. Check road conditions before leaving Te Anau and leave time for the rest of your journey.

Location and route maps

Mirror Lakes location relative to Te Anau on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Mirror Lakes mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

Orange highlights show the mapped walking paths. Use DOC’s current track page and map for alerts and trip planning.

The walk, in order

  1. Leave the roadside parking via the signed boardwalk entrance.
  2. Follow the boardwalk beside the lakes to the viewing areas.
  3. Pause for the mountain view and waterbirds, then return to your vehicle.

What to expect

There is very little walking effort here. The attraction is the view, not a climb or a long trail. Reflections depend on calm water, so enjoy the forest and lake even if wind has broken up the mirror effect.

What I would bring

Keep a rain jacket within reach and wear shoes that grip on damp timber. A small water bottle is useful for the drive as well as the stop; there is no need to unpack your whole tramping kit for this short walk.

Facilities and the return plan

Stay on the boardwalk, leave wildlife undisturbed and keep children close beside the road. Plan toilet and drinking-water stops as part of the wider drive. If you want a longer forest leg-stretch, allow time separately rather than extending this boardwalk beyond its marked route.

Another outing to consider: Lake Gunn’s forest loop.

Sources and photo credits

Source checks: 29 September 2026.

Maps: aerial imagery from LINZ Basemaps and its imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0; location labels and track highlights added. Track and road geometry: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Photo: Mirror Lakes in Fiordland National Park NZ.jpg — Du Hugin Skulblaka. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.