Dore Pass Alpine Traverse
“From forest floor to alpine ridge — the original route to the Milford Track.”
Highlights of the Trip
1
True Alpine Crossing
A classic, committing traverse over Dore Pass with open views into Fiordland’s big country.
2
Wild-to-Iconic Connection
Drop into the Clinton Valley and join the legendary Milford Track for a short nature walk through its ancient rainforest.
3
Boat Out on Lake Te Anau
A peaceful finish — cross the lake by boat after a full day in the mountains.
Across an alpine pass to the Milford Track and Lake Te Anau
Experience Fiordland at full scale on a private guided Dore Pass traverse from Te Anau. Cross rugged alpine terrain from the Milford Road into the Clinton Valley, joining a short section of the famed Milford Track before finishing with a boat journey across Lake Te Anau. A substantial, rewarding mountain day for fit, experienced hikers, with expert guiding and careful pacing throughout.
Depart Te Anau early and travel along the Milford Road, watching forested valleys give way to towering mountain scenery as you approach the trailhead. Ahead lies a journey through contrasting landscapes — from scrub and tussock to open alpine country, then down into the remote Clinton Valley.
The ascent climbs steadily towards the alpine basins beneath Dore Pass. As the terrain becomes steeper and rougher, your private guide helps you navigate the route, manage your footing and maintain a purposeful pace. With every gain in height, the surrounding peaks reveal more of Fiordland’s immense scale.
Reaching the pass brings a memorable sense of arrival. The outlook opens towards the Clinton Valley and surrounding granite mountains, offering a striking perspective on the landscape you are about to enter. Pause to appreciate the view before beginning the demanding descent towards the valley floor.
The descent requires concentration, with uneven ground and sections that can be slippery. Gradually, the exposed alpine landscape gives way to the shelter of the valley, where you join a short stretch of the Milford Track. Walking here adds another dimension to the day, connecting a rugged mountain crossing with one of New Zealand’s best-known Great Walks.
A boat transfer across Lake Te Anau provides a peaceful finish and time to reflect on the ground you have covered, before returning to Te Anau by road.
Dore Pass is a committing alpine traverse with limited options to leave the route once underway. Your guide assesses weather, visibility, terrain and timing throughout, with route decisions and turnaround times at their discretion.
Choose this if you want a real alpine day — movement, scale, and the satisfaction of crossing a pass into a famous valley. It’s strenuous, beautiful, and exactly the kind of Fiordland day that stays with you.
Price
NZD $750 per person
(All-Inclusive)