![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand panoramic photo shows straight roadway surrounded by rock mountainsides and thick greenery]()
Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand photo collage shows PJAMM Cycling gear along the climb]()
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand Milford Sound]()
We parked about seven kilometers south of the climb start near Milford Sound.
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand bridge over Cleddau River]()
The climb begins just across the bridge over Cleddau River, about seven kilometers south of Miford Sound.
Climb summary by PJAMM Cycling’s Brad Butterfield.
I'm most definitely guilty of proclaiming that whichever new jaw-dropping climb I have currently done is “the most epic climb ever.” And maybe there is no true climb in that top spot. There are too many variables and metrics by which to measure an “epic” climb. That said, Highway 94 to Homer tunnel is without doubt (in my humble opinion) in the top 20 most “epic climbs” I’ve ever done, and I’ve cycled the top climbs in over 20 countries. The true climb starts about seven kilometers south of the small outpost of Milford Sound, which was first settled by a lone Scotsman and his dog. Eventually, word got around of the area’s staggering beauty and tourists began pouring in. Thanks to the popularity, work was done to construct the Homer tunnel, which took nearly 20 years to complete and in 1954 road access to the Sound was finally available.
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand aerial drone views of Highway 94 and Cleddau River]()
As you ride out from Milford Sound you’ll cross over three one-way bridges over the Cleddau River while winding through some amazingly dense forest.
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand dense forestation along beginning of climb]()
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand dense forestation on beginning of climb]()
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand hairpin turn, dense forestation]()
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand huge rock mountain formations along climb]()
The rock and mountain formations along this climb are stunning. We ride through a canyon bordered by sheer rock walls from around the 7 to 8 kilometer mark.
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand hairpin turn, rock formations]()
About two-thirds of the way up, you find yourself surrounded on three sides by absolute bohemeths of solid rock shooting up in jagged formations piercing any clouds in the sky. It is one of the most amazing natural sites I have ever seen in person. Switchbacks take you closer and closer to the steep face of the mountain ahead until there is nowhere to go but through. This is our finish, the entrance to the Homer Tunnel, which is a man-made wonder in its own right.
![Cycling Highway 94 to Homer Tunnel, New Zealand Homer tunnel]()
Homer Tunnel - we finish just before the tunnel.