Franz Josef & Fox Glacier walks
GLACIER COUNTRY WALKS & HIKES
Glacier Country — in Westland Tai Poutini National Park — has New Zealand’s highest mountains, wildest rivers, longest glaciers, tallest forests, and the unique twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox dropping almost to sea level.
From easy trails for a family stroll to more demanding mountain climbs and alpine expeditions for experienced mountaineers, there’s a choice of trails for every level of walker and hiker.
FRANZ JOSEF — EASY WALKS & TRACKS
Three highlights from the incredible selection of easy walks and tracks leading to beautiful and spectacular places around Franz Josef. There are another nine easy walks in Glacier Country listed at the bottom of this page.
Callery Gorge Walk
- Easy 5.2 km | 1 hr 20 min return
- Family-friendly walk to a spectacular gorge with blue waters and an historic footbridge.
Lake Wombat Walk
- Easy 3.8 km | 1.5 hr
- Short family-friendly walk through lush rimu forest to idyllic Lake Wombat.
Peter's Pool walk
- Easy 1.1 km | 25 min return
- Short, family-friendly track to a small kettle lake with alpine reflections.
FOX GLACIER — EASY WALKS & TRACKS
Fox Glacier South Side Walkway/Cycleway
- Easy 6.4 km | 2 hr walk, 1 hr bike return
- Follows the Fox River through ancient podocarp rainforest to two glacier viewpoints.
Gillespies Beach walking tracks
- Easy 270 m | 5 min; Advanced 6.8 km | 3.5 hr return
- Gillespies Beach is a scenic 21 km drive from Fox with alpine views, several coastal walks.
Lake Matheson
- Easy 2.6 km | 1.5 hr loop
- Gentle walk, incredible views and iconic alpine reflections.
ŌKĀRITO — EASY WALKS & TRACKS
Ōkārito Trig walk
- Easy 4.2 km | 1.5 hr
- A steady uphill climb to the trig point for exceptional alpine and coastal views.
Ōkārito Wetland Walk
- Easy 1 km | 20 min return
- Well-formed path and boardwalk across the estuary, home to a huge variety of birdlife.
Pakihi Walk
- Easy 1 km | 30 min return
- Climb through kamahi and rimu forest to a viewpoint with alpine, glacier, coastal views.
GLACIER COUNTRY — INTERMEDIATE WALKS
Copland Track to Welcome Flat Hut
- Intermediate 18 km | 7 hr one-way; 36 km | 14 hr return
- Popular overnight tramp; forest and river trail with alpine views, natural hot pools at the hut.
Lake Gault Track
- Intermediate 8 km | 3 - 5 hr return
- Gradual climb on old forest tracks to panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and reflections in the lake.
GLACIER COUNTRY — ADVANCED WALKS
Alex Knob Track
- Advanced 17.2 km | 8 hr return
- Steady climb through mixed terrain, following a glacial moraine to Lake Wombat; spectacular views of Franz Josef Glacier, Southern Alps, Tasman Sea.
Roberts Point Track
- Advanced 11 km - 12.3 km | 5 hr 20 min return
- Track climbs over ice-carved rock, across a suspension bridge, up to Roberts Point for spectacular glacier views.
Mount Fox Route
- Advanced 7.4 km | 8 hr return
- A challenging climb for experienced trampers; stunning views of Southern Alps to coastal forests.
More easy walks around Glacier Country
CANAVANS KNOB WALK
- Easy 3.2 km | 1 - 1 hr 40 min return
- Short climb with rewarding views of the glacier, mountains and river flats.
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DOUGLAS WALK
- Easy 3.9 km | 1 hr return
- Short forest walk, a reflective lake, glacial landforms, suitable for children.
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FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER/KĀ ROIMATA O HINE HUKATERE WALK
- Easy 15 min
- Fully accessible, family-friendly walk to a glacier viewpoint (2000m).
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MINNEHAHA WALK
- Easy 1.2 km | 20 min loop
- Fully accessible short walk follows rainforest stream, glow worms by night.
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SENTINEL ROCK WALK
- Easy 900 m | 20 min return
- Short steady climb to impressive views of Franz Josef Glacier valley.
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TATARE TUNNELS WALK
- Easy 3.6 km | 1 hr 20 min
- Follow an old road and track to old water tunnels. Take a torch and raincoat.
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TE ARA A WAIAU WALKWAY/CYCLEWAY
- Easy 8.7 km | 2 hr return walk (1 hr by bike)
- Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef town to Franz Josef Glacier car park.
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TERRACE WALK
- Easy 1.8 km | 30 min
- Short rainforest walk, glow worms after dark, great option for children.
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WAITANGITAONA WETLAND WALK
- Easy 20 min return
- Regenerating kahikatea forest, flax wetland, spectacular alpine views.
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