Fox Glacier Or Franz Josef Glacier: Which Is Better?
Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier? With limited time and wondering which one to fit in your itinerary?
First, you can’t go wrong: both are amazing icy behemoths that start from the snow-clad, upper reaches of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and make their way through lush temperate rainforest, ending dramatically close to sea level.
But if you are forced to make a decision, read on below to understand what the differences are, something a discerning first-time tourist will definitely want to know.
Planning a trip to see the glacier? Visit our Franz Josef Glacier home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
Best Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand
South Island, New Zealand Activities & Best Tours Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Heli-hike, Glacier + Snow Landing, Mount Cook + Glaciers, Tandem Skydive, Guided Valley Walk Milford Sound Boutique Cruise, Small Group Cruise, Full day Tour + Cruise, Luxury Cruise, Flyover Queenstown Shotover River Jet Boat, Skydive, Lord of the Rings Tour, Zipline, ATV, Wine, Farm Dinner, Gourmet Food Tour
Scenic Beauty
While both glaciers are spectacular, each has a unique aesthetic:
- Franz Josef Glacier has distinctly more dramatic ice formations, deep crevasses and towering seracs. With steeper terrain comes amazing jagged ice formations, making this visually more striking for those seeking raw, rugged beauty!
- Fox Glacier is a bit longer and descends more gradually, but its real magic comes from Lake Matheson, one of the most photographed locations in New Zealand: a mirror lake with stunning reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Ease of Access
Both glaciers have melted and receded in the past decade, with an unfortunate ramification for visitors: the old viewpoints are distant from the glacier’s snout.
- Franz Josef Glacier: The Franz Josef Glacier Walk is an easily accessible trail from a convenient parking lot (Franz Josef Glacier Car Park) to a viewpoint about 750 meters (roughly 1/2 a mile) from the glacier’s terminal face. While you can see Franz Josef Glacier in the distance, you cannot walk onto the ice.
- Fox Glacier: The Fox Glacier Valley Walk is often closed due to safety concerns, but you can still get excellent (but distant) views from viewpoints along the road / track to the old car park.
The Franz Josef Glacier Walk is one of the most popular hiking trails in New Zealand, and clearly the better choice if you’re not planning a heli-hike.
Cost
Self-guided valley walks like the Franz Josef Glacier Walk are free.
Nature tours (where guides can take you to restricted areas) are more readily available in Franz Josef Glacier and cost about $60-$100.
Helicopter tours, heli-hikes and scenic flights are similarly priced (about $200-$500), but you’ll find better availability at Franz Josef Glacier.
Activities & Attractions
You can expect significantly more crowds at Franz Josef Glacier, especially in peak summer season, mainly because it is better developed for tourism: more restaurants, cafes, and nightlife options.
Franz Josef Glacier also has hot pools, great for relaxing after a long day of hiking.
Fox Glacier usually has better weather since it is located in a wider valley, and clouds don’t get trapped that easily here.
Lake Matheson at Fox Glacier is incredibly beautiful, and Gillespies Beach is a short scenic drive away.
Which One Should You Choose: Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier?
If you want dramatic ice formations, better access and more amenities, Franz Josef Glacier is the better choice for you.
If you prefer fewer crowds, beautiful lakes and don’t mind taking a helicopter ride, Fox Glacier might be your winner.
And, of course, if you have the time, visit both, they are only a short 30-minute drive apart. You will find all the directions, what to see and where to stop in our Fox Glacier to Franz Josef Glacier Drive guide!