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Tracks & walks

West Coast

In this section:

West Coast

See also:

Places to visit in the Glaciers area

Visit Franz Josef Glacier safely

Glacier region walks booklet

Glaciers area

List these tracks by category:

Alex Knob Track

It's a 4-hour climb to the top of Alex Knob. The track zigzags up to Rata Lookout for a view of the Franz Josef Glacier. From there follow the marked track to the summit.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 17.2 km return
Completion Time: 8 hr return

Callery Gorge Walk

Follow the Callery Gorge Walk as it climbs to a high terrace before descending to the Callery River.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 5.2 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr 20 min

Canavans Knob Walk

A short climb with rewarding views of the glacier, mountains and river flats.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 3.2 km return from car park; 6.3 km return from Franz Josef Waiau township
Completion Time: 1 hr return from car park; 1 hr 40 mins return from Franz Josef Waiau township

Castle Rocks Route

Travelling to Castle Rocks Route requires traversing the lower section of the Franz Josef Glacier Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Ensure that you have the correct equipment and experience to safely undertake this trip.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 1 - 2 days
Alert: Franz Josef Glacier terminal face unstable

Chalet Lookout Track

This 1 hour 30 minute return walk follows an old glacier access road through rata and kamahi forest to Chalet Lookout.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 3.6 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return

Copland Track

Copland Track is a popular tramping track that features spectacular forest, river and mountain scenery. The track to Welcome Flat Hut is 17 km and from there to Douglas Rock Hut is another 7 km.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 24 km one way
Completion Time: 10 hr one way

Douglas Walk

The Douglas Walk is an easy one-hour forest walk that passes by the Peters Pool viewpoint and crosses several moraines before descending to the bridge across Dolly Creek on the way back to the road.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 3.9 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr return

Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe Valley Walk

The Fox Glacier Valley Walk takes 1 hour return and offers spectacular glacier views. Observe all signs and stay behind barriers.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 2.6 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr return

Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk

The 40-minute walk to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier follows a rocky path over riverbed. Only experienced and prepared visitors should attempt climbing on the glacier.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 5.4 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
Alert: This track is sometimes closed due to ice collapse, flooding or rock fall. Follow all signs and barriers.

Gillespies Beach walking tracks

A visit to Gillespies Beach offers a scenic drive, lovely views of the Southern Alps Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, an historic cemetery and coastal walks.
Category: Walking track ; Tramping track

Harihari Coastal Walkway

Harihari Coastal Walkway is one of the most scenic walkways on the West Coast, with spectacular views of forest, rivers, mountains and coastline.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 7.6 km
Completion Time: 2 hr 45 min

Karangarua and Douglas valleys routes

The Karangarua and Douglas valleys offer hunters, trampers and mountaineers many challenging opportunities and rewards within the rugged backcountry environment of Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 2 days +

Lake Matheson Walk

Famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and Mt La Perous, at Lake Matheson you can take a 40-minute return walk to the jetty or take 1.5 hours to walk around the lake.
Category: Easy access short walk ; Short walk
Distance: 1 km return car park to jetty, 2.6 km return lake circuit
Completion Time: 40 min return car park to jetty, 1 hr 30 min return lake circuit

Lake Wombat Track

The Lake Wombat Track leads you through a lush rimu forest to the idyllic Lake Wombat.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 3.8 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return

Minnehaha Walk

This delightful walk follows a stream through the rainforest.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 1.2 km return
Completion Time: 20 min return

Moraine Walk

This easy walk 2 km south of Fox Glacier township takes you over old moraine surfaces
Category: Short walk
Distance: 1.4 km return
Completion Time: 40 min return

Mount Adams Route

Mount Adams sits on the edge of the Adams Wilderness Area in the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, and is a focal point for travellers along State Highway 6 from Lake Ianthe to Lake Wahapo.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 2 days

Mount Fox Route

Mount Fox Route is just 3 km south of the town of Fox Glacier. The challenging 3 - 3.5 hour climb to the top is only suitable for experienced and properly equipped trampers.
Category: Route
Distance: 7.4 km return
Completion Time: 8 hr return

Ōkārito walking tracks

North of the Franz Josef Township sits the coastal settlement of Ōkārito and the Ōkārito Lagoon. The lagoon is home to more than 76 species of native birds including the kōtuku/white heron and royal spoonbills.
Category: Easy access short walk ; Walking track

Pakihi Walk

Pakihi Walk climbs through kamahi and rimu forest to a platform lookout. It's a 30-minute return trip.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 1 km return
Completion Time: 30 min

Peters Pool Walk

This is an easy, accessible walk to a small kettle lake which was formed by ice melting amongst glacial moraine about 200 years ago.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 1.2 km return from car park
Completion Time: 25 min return from car park

River Walk

Take this pleasant short walk for a view of the glacier and the opportunity to cross a historic swing bridge.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 1.5 km return
Completion Time: 40 min return

River Walk Lookout Track

This fully accessible walk takes visitors on a short journey through the rainforest to a great view of Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 800 m return
Completion Time: 20 min return

Roberts Point Track

The Roberts Point Track requires a good level of fitness. After walking one hour you will reach Hende's Hut. From there the track continues to climb on to Roberts Point where the glacier views are spectacular.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 11 km return from Alex Knob/Lake Wombat car park; 12.3 km return from glacier car park
Completion Time: 5 hr return from Alex Knob/Lake Wombat car park; 5 hr 20 min return from glacier car park

Sentinel Rock Walk

Just a short distance south of the Franz Josef township you will come to the Sentinel Rock Walk. The Sentinel Rock Lookout offers impressive views of the glacier, the valley and Waiho River.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 900 m return
Completion Time: 20 min return

Tatare Tunnels Walk

The 80-minute return Tatare Tunnels Walk follows an old 4WD road then the tracks climbs to the old water tunnels. You will need a torch and raincoat to explore the tunnels.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 3.6 km return
Completion Time: 1 hr 20 min return

Te Ara a Waiau Walkway/Cycleway

On this dual use track you can walk or cycle to the Franz Josef Glacier carpark from Franz Josef township.
Category: Walking track ; Mountain biking - Easy
Distance: 8.7 km
Completion Time: Walk: 2 hr return Cycle: 1 hr return

Te Weheka Walkway/Cycleway

On this dual use track you can walk or cycle to the Fox Glacier carpark from Fox Glacier township.
Category: Walking track ; Mountain biking - Easy
Distance: 8.4 km
Completion Time: Walk: 2 hr 20 min return, Cycle: 1 hr return

Terrace Walk

Follow the Terrace Walk as it winds through forest and goes by remnants of past goldmining operations. Take a torch at night to see glow-worms in the forest.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 1.8 km return from car park
Completion Time: 30 min return from car park

Waitangitaona Wetland Walk

The Waitangitaona Wetland Walk is an easy walk through a regenerating kahikatea forest and flax wetland to a viewing platform with spectacular views of the Southern Alps, Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Category: Easy access short walk
Completion Time: 20 min

Wanganui valley tracks

The Wanganui River valley lies just to the north of Harihari on the South Island's West Coast and provides rugged backcountry opportunities for those with suitable skills and experience.
Category: Tramping track ; Route
Completion Time: 3 days +

Whataroa, Butler and Perth valleys tracks

The Whataroa, Butler and Perth river valleys tracks and routes provide rugged backcountry opportunities for those with suitable skills and experience.
Category: Tramping track ; Route
Completion Time: 3 days +

Willberg Walk

The Willberg Walk is located in Harihari. There are two track entrances, both visible on the side of State Highway 6 near the centre of town - the track can be walked in either direction.
Category: Short walk
Distance: 1.4 km
Completion Time: 30 min

Find out more

Publications

Glacier region walks brochure (PDF, 2780K)

Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Safety alerts for West Coast tracks

Contacts

Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 752 0796
Address:	13 State Highway 6 Franz Josef Glacier 7856
Email:
Full office details

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