The Fiordland Trails Trust is thrilled to see usage of the Lake2Lake and Upukerora Loop trails increasing, with record numbers recorded over 2024.
Trail usage has doubled in the past two years – a statistic that is immensely pleasing and highly encouraging as the Trust seeks to complete Leg 5 of the Lake2Lake Trail in coming years.
FTT has had electronic counters on all legs of both the Lake2Lake Trail and the Upukerora Loop since 2017 and the stats from 2024 have been outstanding.
| Annual counts | Wildlife Park | Tui Bay | Yerex Reach | South of Rainbow Reach Road | Manapouri | Upukerora Loop |
| Total 2024 | 66450 | 51970 | 17845 | 16490 | 10455 | 23304 |
| Total 2023 | 44368 | 25226 | 15331 | 15299 | 9086 | 14964 |
Key highlights
- Trail usage in 2024 has increased 71% over the previous year
- Overall trail usage has doubled over the past two years
- Trail usage of Leg 1 of the Lake2Lake Trail past the Wildlife Park now exceeds 65,000 movements per year
It is reasonable to expect that this rate of increase will continue as the Trust adds to and upgrades the network, including completing Leg 5 of the Lake2Lake Trail. It is so satisfying to be experiencing the ever-increasing user demand for the network.
The Economic Assessment completed by Angus and Associates in 2023 estimated for that year when the numbers were 50% of what they are now, that the economic benefits for the community exceeded $3million per annum. Perhaps those benefits have doubled since that assessment? Regardless, these are encouraging and motivating figures the Trust is delighted to see.
While the marked increase in usage is mostly around the Te Anau end of the network, the Trust expects a significant increase to the Manapouri end when Leg 5 is off road. At present, many ride to and from Balloon Loop Road to avoid the current on-road section.
| Year | Total usage across all legs | % change |
| 2020 | 96971 | Base (pre Covid) |
| 2021 | 54338 | 56% (Covid influence) |
| 2022 | 102670 | 106% |
| 2023 | 109310 | 113% |
| 2024 | 186514 | 192% |
