Teetering boulders close Sounds walk indefinitely

One of Milford Sound's most popular walks could be closed permanently because of unstable rocks teetering above it.

The Bowen Falls track was closed about a year ago because of fears that large rocks could fall on people using the walk.

The track includes a boardwalk that skirts a steep rock wall shoreline beyond the Milford Sound launch terminal.

Department of Conservation spokesman Ross Kerr said geological engineers had inspected the area and recommended the track remain closed.

"Public safety comes first," he said. "The site's closed and it's probably going to be indefinitely. People walking along there would be slow moving targets."

The 30-minute return track, opened in the 1960s, had been a very popular attraction but DoC was doubtful it would reopen, he said.

"We tried to put some rock bolts and fixings in but we got another report done and there's still doubt there."

DoC had developed the 30-minute Milford Sound foreshore walk as an alternative, Mr Kerr said.

- NZPA