![]() From the town, drive south on Highway 6 until you cross the long one-way bridge, then turn left. The walk starts from the Franz Josef Glacier walk parking lot located only 5 minutes by car from the town of Franz Josef. Where Does the Franz Josef Glacier Walk Start From? It is only a 4 km walk (2.5 mi) in total that should be able to be completed in an hour and a half. Taking into account that the trail is well maintained and there is little to no gain in elevation, it’s definitely easy enough for almost anyone to walk including families with kids. Once you reach the river and can not continue you can choose to walk a bit more through the forest to the viewing area where you can get some glimpses of the glacier’s top. When we went the walk was around 2.5 kilometers each way but is only 1.4 kilometers (.09 mi) each way because the river has cut off access up the valley. You can stay up to date here on the DOC’s website.Ģ022 Update: According to recent reviews of the hike, the length of the trail has since changed since we hiked it and is only about half as long as before and goes to only one viewpoint from further away so keep in mind that my experiences will differ some from how it is currently. However, with the Glacier Walk being so close to Franz Josef town, you can simply stay there.ĭepending on the weather conditions at the time of year and day you are planning to hike this trail may be completely closed off because of the ice collapsing, flooding, or landslides. You cannot camp on the trail nor in the parking lot at the trailhead. If you’re not confident with this, it’s best to hike with others. However, during the Franz Josef Valley hike, you do have to cross two small streams that involve stepping stones in order to stay dry. In my experience, the trail was very well maintained in most places. The walk takes about 1.5 hours in total to complete depending on your speed and how long you spend looking at the glacier. ![]() ![]() The trail is considered a must-do on any South Island itinerary. The walk to the glacier is an easy hike and is around 4 km (2.5 mi) return. The Franz Josef Glacier walk is the best way to view the Franz Josef Glacier without paying for a tour. Length: Around 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi) each way. ![]()
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