Best Hikes: Free Walks & Some Easy!
Which are the Best Franz Josef Glacier Hikes?
Franz Josef Glacier hikes have something for everyone:
- Want an easy glacier valley walk? Franz Josef Glacier Walk!
- Find the best glacier viewpoint? Robert’s Point Track!
- Fitness freak looking for a challenge? Alex Knob Track!
- Tired of the glacier and want something different (glowworms)? Tatare Tunnels Walk!
- Curious and want to learn about history, Maori legends and glaciology or get off the beaten track? Take a glacier valley eco tour!
With so many hiking options, you will definitely find a trail that suits you to view and explore the rugged valleys, lush temperate rainforest and icy glacier that make New Zealand so unique!
Planning a trip to see the glacier? Visit our Franz Josef Glacier home page for the complete rundown on every single detail!
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Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (Main Glacier Hike)
Easily the most popular hike in Franz Josef Glacier (if not all of New Zealand!), the Franz Josef Glacier Walk is an easy, out-and-back, 4.8 km round trip trail that takes you to the main viewpoint, the closest you can get to the glacier without a helicopter.
The trailhead is located at the Franz Josef Glacier Car Park (about 5 km from town), a large convenient parking lot that may fill up in peak season, so get there early if you can.
The trail is well-maintained (with some rocky sections), and winds through the glacier-carved valley with towering cliffs on either side.
You’ll walk through the rainforest and get to see some beautiful waterfalls (gushing at their fullest in spring).
You may even spot New Zealand’s alpine parrot (kea) at the Franz Josef Glacier Car Park or along the trail.
The hike to the viewpoint is about 30 minutes, and easily manageable by hikers of all levels, making it one of the more accessible trails in Franz Josef Glacier.
Note: You cannot walk on ice from here, you will need to take a helicopter tour.
Planning this hike? Review our guides for the Franz Josef Glacier Walk, viewpoint and car park.
Robert’s Point Track (Best Panoramic Glacier Viewpoint)
Definitely for more adventurous hikers, the Robert’s Point Track takes you to higher viewpoints with epic glacier views!
With the elevation comes climbing, and hence the trail is rated difficult, with steep, rough terrain and swing bridges.
The trailhead starts from the Alex Knob / Douglas Bridge / Lake Wombat car park (about 4 km from town), close to the Franz Josef Glacier Car Park (in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park). Parking is free.
The trail climbs through native rainforest, over swing bridges and across rocky terrain, and takes a total of about 5-6 hours to cover the round trip distance of 12 km.
The payoff? The best views of Franz Josef Glacier you can get (without paying for a helicopter or scenic flight)!
The trail gets slippery and dangerous after heavy rain, and allow yourself extra time for wet conditions.
Alex Knob Track (The Ultimate Glacier Summit Hike)
Need a real challenge? If you’re fit, this may be the one for you: an epic 17.2 km (round trip), 6-8 hours climb for an elevation gain of 1,100 m to the top of Alex Knob mountain.
You’re so far high the views rival the aerial views you get from a helicopter!
The trailhead is at Alex Knob car park (same as for Robert’s Point Track), with free parking at the trailhead.
This almost all-day hike is the most rewarding challenge in Franz Josef Glacier, taking you through dense rainforest (keep an eye out for kea, New Zealand’s alpine parrot), and to some steep climbing to over the treeline.
You get jaw-dropping views of the Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps, and even the ocean on clear days.
Check the weather before you go, the summit may be drenched in cloudy weather limiting views. If that happens, stick around a bit – Franz Josef Glacier weather changes on a dime.
Tatare Tunnels Walk (A Unique Glowworm Adventure)
A short, fun, family-oriented hike that follows an old gold-mining water tunnel through dark passageways lined with glowworms, an eerie, otherworldly experience your kids will love.
The Tatare Tunnels Walk is about 3.6 km round trip and takes about 1.5 hours. The trailhead is in Franz Josef township.
Make sure you bring a flashlight (the tunnels are pitch dark), and expect water on the tunnel floor (wear waterproof shoes)!
Glacier Valley Eco Tour
If you want a more structured experience with a relaxed, educational experience, consider joining a guided valley walk with a local expert.
Not only will you learn about fascinating Maori legends and glaciology, but also will be taken to sections of the Franz Josef Glacier valley that are restricted to others.
This small group Franz Josef Nature Tour is 5-star rated and highly popular, takes roughly about 3 hours, meets in Franz Josef township (transportation to the glacier car park included), and is suitable for all ages and abilities.