Things to do

Walking & Hiking

There are about 30 different walking tracks in Glacier Country, from short scenic tracks to challenging multi-day hikes. Detailed below are some of the most popular hikes featuring glaciers, mountains, rainforests, lakes, beaches and more. Visit the Department of Conservation, Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre in Franz Josef Glacier village for weather conditions, detailed hiking guides and personal locator beacons, or to learn more about the area.

The Alex Knob Track takes approximately eight hours return and climbs steadily through a variety of vegetation types with views of Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. This track is for experienced and well-equipped trampers only.

Duration: 8 hr
Distance: 17.2 km return via same track
Intensity: Advanced: Tramping track
Type:Full Day & Overnight
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Follow the Callery Gorge Walk as it climbs to a high terrace before descending to the narrow Callery Gorge and the historic Callery Gorge Bridge.

Duration: 1 hr 20 min
Distance: 5.2 km return via same track
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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A short climb with rewarding views of the glacier, mountains and river flats.

Duration: 1 hr - 1 hr 40
Distance: 3.2 km - 6.3 km return via same track
Intensity: Easiest: Short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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This popular tramp gives a glimpse of Westland’s spectacular forest, river and mountain scenery, with natural hot pools at Welcome Flat an added attraction.

Duration: 7 hr one way
Distance: 18 km one way
Intensity: Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track
Type:Full Day & Overnight
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This short, easy forest walk passes by a reflective lake and crosses over glacial landforms – it’s suitable for children.

Duration: 1 hr
Distance: 3.9 km
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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The walkway/cycleway follows the south bank of the Fox River through ancient podocarp rainforest to view points of Fox Glacier.

Duration: 2 hr walk 1 hr bike
Distance: 6.4km return
Intensity: Easy: Walking/Cycling track
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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With panoramic views of The Southern Alps and a great vantage for Fox Glacier, Te Kopikopiko o te Waka is a Tohu Whenua site that tells the Ngai Tahu story of creation.

 

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Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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This is a short walk to a viewpoint of the glacier – suitable for children.

Duration: 30 min
Distance: 1.7km return via same track
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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A visit to Gillespies Beach offers a scenic drive, lovely views of the Southern Alps Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, an historic cemetery and coastal walks.

Duration: Various: 5 min - 3 hr 30 min return
Distance: Various: 270 m - 6.8 km
Intensity: Easy: Walking track / Advanced: Tramping track
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A gradual climb on a historical tramping track through ancient podocarp forest provides panoramic views of Aoraki /Mount Cook. If you’re lucky, you can enjoy the mountain landscape reflected in Lake Gault.

Duration: 3-5hr return
Distance: 8km return
Intensity: Intermediate
Type:Family Friendly, Full Day & Overnight
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Lake Mapourika is famous for its reflections and stunning views and is a top spot for boating, fishing, kayaking, camping and swimming.

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Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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A gentle walk leads to views of the mountains reflected on the still waters of Lake Matheson. It’s one of the most popular short walks in New Zealand. Fitness required: Suitable for all fitnesses
Gradient: Undulating

Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 2.6 km loop
Intensity: Easiest: Easy access short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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This short, easy walk leads through a lush rimu forest to the idyllic Lake Wombat – it’s a good option for children.

Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 3.8 km return via same track
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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This delightful short walk near Fox Glacier village follows a stream through the rainforest – it’s a great introduction to the forest for children with the added bonus of glow worms at night. It’s suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

Duration: 20 min
Distance: 1.2 km loop
Intensity: Easiest: Easy access short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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Mount Fox Route is just 3 km south of the town of Fox Glacier. The challenging climb to the top is only suitable for experienced and properly equipped trampers.

Duration: 8 hr
Distance: 7.4 km return via same track
Intensity: Expert: Route
Type:Full Day & Overnight
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The Ōkārito Trig walk initially follows the Ōkārito Wetland Walk and Three Mile Track before branching off to the left after around ten to fifteen minutes walking. The walk winds gently uphill on a well-graded track, before reaching the Ōkārito Trig viewpoint.

Duration: 1 hr 30 min return
Distance: 4.2 km
Intensity:
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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Pakihi Walk climbs through kamahi and rimu forest to a platform lookout.

Duration: 30 min
Distance: 1 km return via same track
Intensity: Easiest: Short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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Enjoy the reflective views of the glacier valley and mountains on this short, easy walk to a small kettle lake – it’s a great option with children.

 

Duration: 25 min return
Distance: 1.1 km return via same track
Intensity: Easiest: Short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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The Roberts Point Track requires a good level of fitness. After walking one hour you will reach Hende’s Hut. From there the track continues to climb on to Roberts Point where the glacier views are spectacular.

Duration: 5 hr 20 min
Distance: 11 km - 12.3 km return via same track
Intensity: Advanced: Tramping track
Type:Full Day & Overnight
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Enjoy impressive views of the Franz Josef Glacier valley and Waiho River from the summit of this short steady climb.

Duration: 20 min
Distance: 900 m return via same track
Intensity: Easiest: Short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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The 80-minute walk follows an old 4WD road then the tracks climbs to the old water tunnels. You will need a torch and raincoat to explore the tunnels.

Duration: 1 hr 20 min
Distance: 3.6 km return via same track
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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Walk or cycle through bush from Franz Josef township to the Franz Josef Glacier car park.

Duration: Walking and tramping 2 hr / Mountain biking 1 hr
Distance: 8.7 km return via same track
Intensity: Easy: Grade 2
Type:Family Friendly, Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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The walk provides a good introduction to the rainforest of the Glacier Region as well and an opportunity to see glow worms after dark – it’s a great option with children.

Duration: 30 min
Distance: 1.8 km return via same track
Intensity: Easiest: Short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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This walk includes a diverse variety of landscapes from native forest to wetlands.

Walk through forest then down to Three Mile Lagoon, a sheltered estuary. You can return via the pack track or if the tide allows follow the coastline back along the beach (Walking along the beach is only recommended within one hour each side of low tide).

Duration: 3 hr 30 min
Distance: 9.8 km
Intensity: Easy: Walking track
Type:Half Day (up to 4 hours)
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The Waitangitaona Wetland Walk is an easy walk through a regenerating kahikatea forest and flax wetland to a viewing platform with spectacular views of the Southern Alps, Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

Duration:
Distance: 20 min
Intensity: Easiest: Easy access short walk
Type:Family Friendly, Short Walk (under 1 hour)
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