The Chasm Walk

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:

1. 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.
2. 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