Franz Josef Glacier

We only completed the bush walk that lasts maybe 20 minutes in each direction with a viewing platform. The glacier has obviously been affected over the many years with earthquakes and climate change etc. Even if you opt not to take a helicopter tour up into the glacier directly, this is an amazing experience and one of a kind. Yes, you can only go up to a certain point as the rest of the track is closed but it is what it is. This spot, Lake Matheson and Fox Glacier are three iconic points in the West Coast Region and for good reason.

This is a very nice walk through the Bush and a stark eye opener for global warming. Go see it before it all goes back. Needs about 1.5hours just to make sure you enjoy the views. There are a few other walks around that looked amazing but I couldn't get to amy of them. Easy access by car to the start of the walk and a few other stops and walks around on the way too.

Lovely walk from the car park to the viewing point. Very scenic, we did it in a light drizzle, wearing jeans, sneakers, and a jacket, under an umbrella. It is well with. The debris field / river bed is easy to walk on.

The walk to the viewing point at Franz Josef is quite good. It's a little up and down but it's not too hard if you're sure on your feet and reasonably mobile and fit. While you're still quite a way from the glaciers edge at the main viewing point it's worth the effort in my view. There's some good information panels along the way and you get a sense of how far the glacier has retreated in the last 100 and 10 (or so) years. The natural beauty and sheer size of the area it used to fill is mind boggling in itself. There are numerous waterfalls along the way as well if the weather has been right for them.

Excellent walk. A bit more demanding then Fox Glacier however well worth it as you get pretty close up to Franz Josef (about 1 km) which is quite close considering all the loose rocks surrounding the area. A river bed walk and a few river crossings by foot are on the agenda. Not too difficult even for the untrained. One thing though - use proper shoes as the uneven terrain can cause injuries if you use flip flops or similar. Experienced Even a bit of wildlife on the way. Awesome.

I enjoyed the journey and environment but not the crowds. Quite a contrast from my last visit over 20 years ago, when we could touch it without paying a fee. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could enjoy this place without all the human noise. Best tip: go before 0800hrs or after 1800hrs to avoid the incessant chopper noise walloping down the glacier valley. And perhaps all the bus loads of noisy tourists attending for their token photo opportunity. Lifesaving tip: Follow department of conservation advice. In October 2018, it was an easier gradient to walk than Fox Glacier.

The track takes a good while but you will still be far away from it. You don't need to get to the end of the trail to see it. You can see it from the car park, from Sentinel Rock (around 30-40 minutes return trip up another track), at the end of the Forest Walk (45 minutes return) or from the very end of the track (2 hours return). The signs say it takes a little less to get there but I would say it's a bit optimistic. Especially considering you will stop for the views or rest a little and take photos. If it's sunny, bring sunscreen and if it's rainy, a raincoat since there won't be places to hide. The only advantage of doing the full track is that you will see some waterfalls on the way but they are soon after you finish the Forest Walk. It's still a nice track but if you have been in Iceland or Switzerland, very close to glaciers, this won't be especially impressive.

We hiked in very rainy weather which led to these views, still beautiful but just couldn't see much at all. We walked out to Peters Pool also which was a little underwhelming really but its again because of the weather. Still worth the hike though.