The Chasm Walk is a great place to stop on your way to or from Milford Sound. It’s a very popular easy 20min loop walk where you’ll cross The Chasm Bridge.
From the car park, it is a short and easy walk to the Chasm. Because it is a short walk and offers something unique, it is a popular stop for many people (including tour buses) on their way to Milford Sound.
The walk will take you through native forest where you may hear native birds singing as you make your way to the Chasm. All sounds will soon fade away however as the sound of the thundering falls of the Chasm take over. After crossing over a series of footbridges, you will be able to see the water below. Looking further down, you will see the water disappear and reappear below as it makes its way through the rocks.
The Chasm consists of stunning waterfalls but particularly interesting are the rocks that were sculpted from the power of the river. The swirling patterns and smoothed-out basins are awe-inspiring.
Due to the depth of the chasm and the route of the water, the Chasm is notorious for being difficult to photograph. It is next to impossible to find an angle where the entirety of the Chasm is pictured. It is nevertheless a fun challenge for most photographers. The best place for photos is from The Chasm Bridge.
Must do while in Milford Sound
We stopped at The Chasm Walk on our way out to Milford Sound for the day from our hotel in Te Anau. We then continued to Milford Sound for a few more free walks then took a 2 hour boat trip in the Milford Sounds. It really is spectacular and well worth it. If you’d rather someone else drive while you soak up the scenery (it’s a long drive of 118m) then take a bus tour which includes the cruise and a walk, which leave from Te Anau. You’ll need to read about how much it costs to park in Milford Sound before you decide whether to take your car or not.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 20 minute walk
- Distance: 400 m
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Bikes allowed: No
- Route: Return
- Elevation: None
- Wet Feet: Unknown
- Toilets: No
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Unknown
- Last Updated: May, 2020
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