An official opening of the 1.8km addition from Patience Bay to Sinclair Rd will be held on Monday at 2pm.
About 10km of the trail is finished and once completed it will be about 19km long.
Fiordland Trails Trust chairman David Boniface said the trust opted to locate the trail to provide access to Sinclair Rd rather than hugging the shoreline the whole way.
While there were some design and engineering challenges locating the trail here was worth it.
“The end result is a truly distinctive section of trail, with stunning views over the South Arm of Lake Te Anau and the Upukerora Delta.
“It’s quite different to other sections, traversing undulating terrain with entrenched streams and regenerating native vegetation, rising to a terrace 40m above the lake.”
There was usually a good attendance each time a portion of the track was opened, he said.
“We’ve done that on a regular basis, because we like to celebrate what we’ve done.”
The next 1.8km of the trail heading north is also under construction.
“Lizard management protocols have been completed, initial access formed, and vegetation clearance will take place in the coming weeks, with the Trust eyeing a completion date in the spring.”
There were about 2000 people a month using the trail at present.
“We’re really buoyed by the demand.”
The trust is also in the midst of a $790,000 fundraising campaign, to enable it to complete its second trail from Lake Te Anau to Manapouri.
The campaign was gaining momentum and with significant contributions from Community Trust South, Meridian Energy, a prominent local family, and a growing number of community donations, more than half the target had now been reached, he said.
- Sandy Eggleston
