Patience pays off as trail section opens

Patience has been rewarded after years of planning a new 1.8km section from Patience Bay to Sinclair Rd has officially opened.

Fiordland Trails Trust chairman David Boniface said finalising the last two kilometres of trail had not all been plain sailing.

‘‘We had some issues around wildlife permits ... but we’re there now.

A crowd of about 80 walkers, cyclists and supporters gathered to see the official ribbon cutting by trail neighbours Craig and Suzanne Smith.

‘‘We had quite a turnout ... they all wandered up the hill and rode their bikes.

‘‘We got some wonderful feedback, it was really positive.’’

The 2.2m-wide trail had been constructed at a grade two level.

‘‘The objective is to be able to cater for everybody — toddlers, families ... so that ensure we have a trail that is safe for all users.’’

There was already evidence the latest extension to would be a drawcard for people.

‘‘It provides some wonderful access to the lake shore that wasn’t there before.

‘‘[There are] a lot of people using the bay — a lot more than ever ... it’s very popular with walkers.

‘‘Our off-road trails give them a lot of experience in the forest and in the lake — it’s quite tranquil really.’’

The trail’s northern section hosted about 2000 walkers, runners and riders, but he expected the numbers to increase as more sections increased.

The trust expected the entire trail now would host about 60,000 people a year.

‘‘That’s all brining money to the township.’’

A 2023 assessment concluded the trail provided about $3.5 million in economic benefit to the township.

‘‘That was back in 2023, I would predict it’s a lot more than that now.’’

The Lake2Lake Trail development started in 2007 and would be raising a further $790,000 to help establish a fully off-road experience from Manapouri to Te Anau Downs.

Mr Boniface said now it was on to the next step — reaching Boundary Creek within the next four years that would open up the trail to extend a further 10km north of the boat harbour.

However, as the trail progressed towards Te Anau Downs, it would eventually stop at the Fiordland National Park boundary until the park’s management plan was reviewed and amended to allow cycle trails.

He did not expect the review to happen before 2030, but the trust still had other work to complete while they were waiting.

While other national parks hosted cycle trails within their boundaries, the Fiordland Park plan was one of the last to be reviewed, he said.

- Toni McDonald