franz josef walks map

Hi, Im Sandra, the creator of the Freewalks website. This walk was one of the highlights of visiting Franz Josef, so below is our guide to walking the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Track with kids. Weve been to this region a few times over years heres our list of the best walks in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Stunning views of Franz Josef Glacier. through lush rainforest takes you over A bonus of doing these heli hikes in Franz Josef, is they often include entry to the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools. But, on the track there are lots of beautiful waterfalls along the way, especially up to your right hand side. Lake Matheson walk distance and duration: The 4.4 kilometre lakeside loop track is a short but sweet walk in glacier country. The walk is split into two parts, starting from the main carpark. The rocks can be quite slippery on a rainy day. Nowadays, there is not much left of the Glacier view from this viewpoint, which is disappointing and confronting at the same time. Photo: Pseudopanax, Public domain. Bulky orders will be $20. The hardest part about this track, is that you can see all the way to the track terminus. Drive or walk south from the Franz JosefWaiautownship across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau. As the West Coast is very prone to rain, there are often more streams and rivers one week, and it could be completely dry the next. Its only a 10 minute drive from Franz Josef Township following the State Highway 6 towards the Franz Josef Glacier Access Road. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. If you are interested in more family friendly things to do in New Zealand, go check out the rest of our website, or click below for more fun things to do on the West Coast with kids, (Do be aware that some of these walks do close if there has been bad weather, so do check online or with the information centre to make sure they are open. photographers. Copland Track to Welcome Flat Hut distance and duration: 18 kilometres (11 miles) one way with 680 m elevation gain which means youll hike 36 kilometers, 22 miles total over two days. Copland Track to Welcome Flat Hutdifficulty and incline: Although you dont face too much elevation on the Copland Track, it is one of the longest walks in Franz Josef. Find things to do and places to stay Franz Josef Glacier/K Roimata o Hine Hukatere Sorry an error has occurred Expand all Getting there If you love visiting New Zealand glaciers, then you might also be interested in visiting the Fox Glacier, just 30 minutes drive south of Franz Josef, or seeing the Tasman Glacier in Mt Cook National Park. Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. The wide gravel path is well maintained and there arent any challenging parts along the trail. How long does it take to drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef? Especially on a calm day when you are able to see the refections on the mountains in the pool. If youre lucky you might see fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and crested and little blue penguins. The track zigzags up to Rata Lookout for a view of the Franz Josef Glacier. Below a summary of the best tours you can book. The weather is most stable and pleasant during these months with the highest chance of clear skies. They can assist you in planning the most suitable route based on various factors such as current conditions, your fitness level, available time, and daylight hours. This is quite a new track in Fox Glacier and we havent had a chance to do it yet. 4. The West Coast is known for its inclement weather. Roberts Point Walking Track, Franz Josef is a free walk in Franz Josef | Best walk details here Roberts Point Walking Track, Franz Josef 11 kms 5 Hours Return Medium Home South Island West Coast Franz Josef Walks Roberts Point Walking Track, Franz Josef Last updated on: 1 April 2021 Walked by: Sandra from Freewalks Franz Josef Glacier is one of my favourite New Zealand glaciers, as it is easy to access with kids and is totally free to see. Is the TranzAlpine train on your must-do list this winter? The first point of interest is only 15 minutes into the track, emerging from a forest track at the first observation lookout. So there you have it, our guide to the #1 thing to do in Franz Josef and if the stars align and the weather is right, Im sure this will be one of your absolute New Zealand must dos. Following Waiho/Franz Josef Glacier Valley, this trail traverses rock formations shaped by ice and passes numerous small streams before reaching a vantage point above the glacial ice. Easy trail with a wee little climb up to an area above the stream. We got there from the Douglas walk vs. the AT path. Depending on the amount of rain, will depend on how many you see. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife while taking in the scenery. Travelling to the West Coast by train couldn't be easier or more beautiful than aboard the TranzAlpine. It is a hazardous area with ice and rockfall, river surges and flooding occurring. Join 1000's of fellow walkers and receive our FREE 39-page Auckland walking guide when you sign up. The weather is key for this track check the forecast and make sure its a clear day before attempting it! Hopefully it opens back up sometime soon its one of our favourite mid-range walks in New Zealand (it usually takes around 90-minutes). The app works with your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Click on More for information about the cookies on our site and why we use them. stream through the rainforest. Gorge make this a must do walk for Maps: Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk Route/Trail notes: From idyllic lakes to geological wonders, discover why New Zealand's West Coast is such a spectacular place to visit: Copyright The trailhead for Franz Josef Glacier walk is at Glacier car park which is the same parking as forRoberts Point Track. My first heli hike was awesome as you got to wear crampons (so you could walk on the ice) and check out ice caves. The trail changes from an easy forest walk to a rougher terrain with small rocks and stones. There are seats here, you can see a waterfall to your right and you can see the glacier from here. Its only a 10 minute drive from Franz Josef Township following the State Highway 6 towards the Franz Josef Glacier Access Road. I did the Roberts Point Track walk for the second time at the age of 65. Not crowded at all though!! We did it on a rainy day too, so that final viewpoint should look a bit better on a nice day. Subscribe below for just the best stuff. Its one of the unique and thrilling experiences you can do on the South Island of New Zealand and a bucket list adventure for many. There is a safety board at the beginning of the track that gives a weather update and what the conditions are likely to be on the trail that day. The Terrace Track is the place to go in Franz Josef if you want to spot glow worms. Known for its distinctive milky-blue colour due to particles of glacial flour suspended in the water, this important river plays a vital role in shaping the landscape of the area. Head south (towards Fox Glacier) and just after you cross the one way bridge, turn left down the road. A large carpark is located at the trailhead. There are heaps of awesome hikes in and around Franz Josef. I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the best walks in Franz Josef. Your email address will not be published. 4km, 1h 30min return via same track Here you can relax and recover after a day of hiking before spending the night in the Hut. The Tatare Tunnel walk is another option for one of the glow worm walks in Franz Josef you can do. Still worth parking and walking. Within fifteen minutes you will walk past Peters pools turn off and be standing at the first of three swing bridges to cross for the day. Waterfalls in Franz Josef Glacier Valley. main cycleway for views of Fox Glacier. Check the availability and prices todayto secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream roadtrip! coastal landscapes at various viewpoints along the way. Enjoy! Book here your Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown. This means youll hike 36 kilometers total over two days (11 miles one way/22 miles total over two days). Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a roadtrip in New Zealand. When getting to the viewpoint of Sentinel Rock you have to look in the distance to see Franz Josef Glacier. They are live webcams of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier and this can help you make your plans. With hikes of just 30 minutes up to 3 hours, New Zealand's selection of short walks cover everything from a casual beach stroll to a slightly more challenging mountain climb. Franz Josef is a small but charming town with a range of accommodation options, restaurants, and shops. Tatare Tunnel walk distance and duration: 3.6 km return via same track that takes about 1 2 hours to complete. If you have been doing your research into weather in New Zealand, by now you will probably know to expect four seasons in one day. The path is very well maintained and even wheelchair friendly until the Jetty viewpoint. Amazing track to get a closer look at the Franz Josef Glacier. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. If you use common sense youll have no problems. *') }}, {{ exceptLastWord('WOW Show Packages') }}, {{ exceptLastWord('Senior Gold Card ') }}, {{ exceptLastWord('tira Tunnel Commemorations 2023') }}, {{ exceptLastWord('Contact Us Online') }}, {{ exceptLastWord('Community Support') }}. I'm Ilse, together with my love Atiba we're Digital Travel Couple. Read in our complete guide everything about the Franz Josef Glacier walk. gorge await those who reach the bridge There are few experiences which are an absolute must when youre traveling New Zealands South Island. Glacier South Side walkway/cycleway The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. children. The road is gravel in sections. Is it safe to drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef in winter? ), Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. provides impressive views of the glacial The easy Lake Matheson walk follows a 4.4 km loop trail along the lakes edge from which you can explore the different perspectives of the lake. If you're a keen hiker and its a nice, dry day do yourself a favor and do Robert's track!! 1.1km, 25mins return and, 29m Total Climb Add to My Wishlist Tick Walk Getting there: From the township of Franz Josef, travel south on State Highway 6 and over the Waiho River Bridge, before immediately turning left onto the Glacier Access Road and travel 3.5km to the car park. Everything else about the trail was lovely but it was too short. From here the Franz Josef Glacier walk trailhead is clearly marked and well-signed. Bookings are required for Welcome Flat Hut. Pleasant forest scenery bit mot much else to see. Gorgeous short walk, but washed out halfway through. This trail is perfect for those who enjoy stunning rivers, gorges and historic relics. It is a roped off section so you really cant go any further. My kids just love helicopters. I met lots of people on this walk. 900 m return via same track Walking and tramping Franz Josef Walking Tracks Fox Glacier Hikes & Tramps West Coast NZ Things to do Walking & Hiking There are about 30 different walking tracks in Glacier Country, from short scenic tracks to challenging multi-day hikes. Beautiful pool. Various: 500m to 6.8km, 5mins to 3h 30min It will take another 30-40 minutes to reach the actual glacier viewpoint, and your turnaround point. When you drive on theCook Flat Road you have to take a turn and travel 5 km along this road before you get to Lake Matheson. Carry plenty of water,insect repellent and sun protection. Weve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gearto bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. It seems kinda similar (but a lot easier) to Alex Knob but the views arent anywhere near as good. Book here your scenic flight over Milford Sound. Do be aware that you cannot walk on the glacier here, you need to take a heli hike to do this and you will not see the glacier at close up range on this walk. The Alex Knob Track is without a doubt some of the harder walks in Franz Josef. We are both fit but relatively inexperienced walkers so looking for something for starts have maybe 3 hours. Journey into the ancient rainforest to follow an old gold mining water race. The. You will listen to the informative commentary from the passionate skippers of Southern Discoveries and enjoy a provided picnic lunch. It survived the scraping of glacier ice 9000 years ago so it endured a lot throughout time. Get to know the adventurous couple behind Digital Travel Couple. My first heli hike was awesome as you got to wear crampons (so you could walk on the ice) and check out ice caves. This is an easy walk starting Beautiful easy hike with two small kids. Really really nice, and the DOC info board also interesting. Okarito Trig Walk distance and duration: The 4 kilometer return walk can be completed in about 2 hours depending on how long you spend at the viewing area. The views are stunning at the end, youll look right over Franz Josef Glacier. The walk to the glacier is an easy hike and is around 4 km (2.5 mi) return. torch. Peter's Pool has a nice refection of the mountains even if there is a breeze. You can also visit Lake Wombat as a short detour from the Alex Knob Track. Again, this track is sometimes closed (or sections of it are), so it may look a little different when you visit. We decided to check out theOratia Twin Streams walkand cycleway to see if we could include it as part of a fun circular walk. You will get a round trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound followed by a boat cruise in Milford Sound. The views over the glacier from the helicopter were awesome too. Do heed their warnings. forest after dark, remember to take a Roberts Point Track was the first track up the Franz Josef Glacier Valley. A fun fact is that the granite of Canavans Knob is much older than the schist rocks of the glacier valley. You can then easily visit Franz Josef Glacier, the Glacier Hot Pools and many more attractions near Franz Josef township. The walk to the closest viewpoint of Fox Glacier is full of awesome views. Obviously the glaciers are both different, but we chose the shorter walk this trip. Book here your Milford Sound Cruise and Kayak tour. 1.7 km return via same track Walking and tramping 30 min Easy: Walking track Dog access No dogs Expand all Description Getting there Know before you go Contacts Give feedback Tell us about your visit Family-friendly walks and tramps You can eithergo heli hikingfor example to experience walking on Fox Glacier orbook a helicopter tour to see Fox Glacierfrom an aerial view including a snow landing. The Okarito Trig Walk looks good and this is also prime kiwi spotting country. The Sentinel Rock Walk is another one on the list of short walks in Franz Josef. From there follow the marked track to the summit. Although you dont face too much elevation on the Copland Track, it is one of the longest walks in Franz Josef and must be planned accordingly for the overnight sleep in Welcome Flat Hut. See all Ultimate Discovery: 3 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 45mins 34 Adventure Tours from $495.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike Take in the spectacular views of the snow capped mountains of the Southern Alps, remote valleys and waterfalls.