The Mirror Lakes are surrounded by wetland and beech forest, providing shade on a hot day, and a habitat for waterfowl, various ducks, eels, and rainbow trout. The boardwalk between the parking lot and the lakes is around 1,300 feet (400 meters) return, so it’s just a short walk. Many travelers stop here while driving between Te Anau and Milford Sound, and guided tours making the same trip often stop here, too.
The Mirror Lakes are around 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Te Anau. They’re on State Highway 94, the main road connecting Te Anau and Milford Sound, so are easy to reach by private car when traveling between the two popular destinations. Many guided tours that operate along this road also stop here for a few minutes.
The lakes are pleasant at any time, but the mirror-like views are best when the air is calm and not windy. This is not something that can be easily predicted, so you might just have to try your luck.
If you’re looking for more easy and short walks in the Fiordland area, check out the Lake Gunn Nature Walk. At 45 minutes, the flat track is longer than the Mirror Lakes track, but it’s still easy. Lake Gunn is surrounded by moss-covered trees, stony beaches, and high mountains. It’s located near the popular Cascade Creek campsite.