This, however, will add an extra couple of hours to the total hike time.Īnother great way to get to the start of the hike if you don’t have transport is to hitchhike. In fact, during my stay, I saw many people walking from the town to the start of the hike. Related Read: If you are thinking about visiting Milford Sound then only way to properly explore the area is on a Milford Sound Cruise! Can I Walk From the Town of Franz Josef? The cost of the shuttle is $12.50 for a round trip. The company that runs the shuttle is Glacier Shuttle Charter. You can either drive to the parking lot or take a shuttle from town. In fact, the parking lot is locked at around 10 pm. This parking lot is for day use only and you cannot park here overnight. Once there, you can park your car in the large parking lot. 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? However, since the flooding closed the front section of the trail, the Franz Josef Glacier Walk is now an easy trail most can do. The old trail used to be much longer and this trail was considered moderate. Taking into account that the trail is well maintained and there is only a small gain in elevation, it’s definitely easy enough for almost anyone to walk, including families with kids. The Franz Josef hike is considered very easy. Franz Josef Hike Difficulty Zoomed in photo of the Franz Josef Glacier from the Franz Josef Glacier Walk viewpoint You will now be met with signage warning people not to hike further (pictured above), and this is officially the end of the trail now. That section of the trail has since been closed due to flooding that occurred and destroyed the trail. It is important to mention that the trail used to travel much further up the valley. However, with the Glacier Walk being so close to Franz Josef town, you can simply stay there.

You cannot camp on the trail or in the parking lot at the trailhead. The trail was very well maintained the entire way. The walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes 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 Sentinel Rock Viewpoint is an easy hike and is around 1.7 kilometers (1.5 miles) return. The Franz Josef Glacier walk is the best way to view the Franz Josef Glacier without paying for a tour. How hard is the Franz Josef Glacier Walk? The contents of this blog have been updated to the new, shorter trail. If you want to get close to the glacier, I would personally recommend this Franz Josef Heli-hike Tour. The trail to the viewpoint is now only a 15-minute walk each way but very far from the glacier. For the foreseeable future, you can only hike to the Sentinel Rock Viewpoint. UPDATE: The Franz Josef Glacier Walk has been partially closed due to trail damage. In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Franz Josef Glacier walk as well as a few other hikes near Franz Josef you can do during your visit! This Franz Josef Glacier walk is only one of many trails that lead to viewpoints of the glacier, but being the closest and easiest, it’s a must-do for everyone visiting the lovely town of Franz Josef. This short but beautiful walk leads to a viewpoint of the Franz Josef Glacier, and it’s the closest you can get without a tour. We love free activities, and the Franz Josef Glacier Walk is the best (free) way to view the Franz Josef Glacier. Read our disclosure policy for more info. Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)ĭay 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.This blog may contain affiliate links.1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle.Christmas Day Lunch: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown.8 sumptuous dinners including a complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and speciality dinner: Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch.

All sightseeing and prepaid attractions.Return airport transfers in New Zealand.Restroom daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance.2 door access seat back tray table cup holder.32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach.Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw i.

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