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Franz Josef Glacier Walkway
Where is it?
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Head south from the Franz Josef township then turn left onto Glacier Access Rd. The walk starts from the car park at the end of the road.
Know before you go
This is a beautiful yet dangerous place that is sometimes closed due to hazardous conditions, so check www.doc.govt.nz before you start to see if it's open.
NO DOGS
TIME & DISTANCE: 1hr 30min return; 5.4km
FITNESS: Low fitness required
TERRAIN: Easy tramping track
Track Overview
The first 15 minutes is an easy (fully accessible) forest walk from the car park to a river bank view of the glacier. It then follows markers in the riverbed past Trident Falls to a point close to the terminal face of the glacier. This is not a track but a route over the shingle and rock of the riverbed and it can be quite rough underfoot – make sure you have suitable footwear. The final section of track to the safety barriers includes a short climb to the viewing area. Do not go past the barriers and pay attention to all signage as areas of the valley are hazardous and are not safe for visitors. The glacier is constantly moving. Ice and rock fall from the terminal face without warning. Creeks may rise up to a metre in even moderate rain. Water levels rise in as little as 15 minutes.
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
Just six kilometres from the centre of Franz Josef village lies one of the world's most accessible glaciers: Franz Josef. Not quite as steep, but equally mesmerising, Fox Glacier sits 28km to the south. Both glaciers present visitors with the opportunity to enjoy guided heli-hiking tours, as well as walking trails at ground level which lead to astonishing views of the glacial face.
Guided tour on Franz Josef Glacier © Franz Josef Glacier Guides
