The development of more than 14km of multi-use trail in Te Anau has been given the go ahead, with consent officially granted for the extension of the Fiordland Trails Trust’s trail network.

The trail extension will run from the Upukerora River trail bridge, on Milford Road, to Boundary Creek, just south of the Fiordland National Park boundary.

Part of the Trust’s overall plans to develop a trail all the way to Te Anau Downs, this development will include Leg 2, from the Upukerora River to Sinclair Road, and Leg 3, from Sinclair Road to Boundary Creek, totalling an additional 14.5km of trail.

The trail will be built to New Zealand Cycle Standards Grade 2 and, similar to the Lake2Lake Trail which runs from Te Anau to Manapouri, will be 2.2m wide; allowing for plenty of traffic, whether it be on mountain bike, e-bike, prams, wheelchairs, or on foot.

Fiordland Trails Trust chair John Greaney said the trail extension was a long time coming and the Trust was excited about the opportunities it presented for the local community and visitors to the area.

"The Trust has spent more than two years in the preparation, development and planning of this trail extension. We’ve spent a lot of time and a lot of money on ecological reports to ensure our impact on the environment is as minimal as possible and consulted with neighbouring properties. To get consent and now be able to get the trail development underway is fantastic,” he said.

'We’re really excited about this trail extension. It will provide a great out and back trail from the Te Anau Boat Harbour to Boundary Creek, as well as provide a convenient multi-use trail for Sinclair Road and Patience Bay residents into town. Alongside the Lake2Lake trail, it just adds to the off-road experience in Te Anau and we can’t wait to see it come to life."

Once complete, the trail development will also allow the Trust to undertake weed control measures along a 40m wide corridor on Leg 2 of the trail, which aligns with its Jobs for Nature project.

Tender documents for construction of the trail are out now. It is hoped work will start in November and that Leg 2 (Upukerora River to Sinclair Road) will be complete in early 2023.