The hikes around Franz Josef take you deep into New Zealand temperate rainforest; this unique environment is one of the only places on the planet where there is nothing dangerous in the bush to sting or bite you. The tracks take you to high alpine gardens, the blue ice caves of the glaciers and paths to wander taking, in the mountain reflections at Lake Matheson You are sure to spot New Zealand birds.
The walks below are all within 10 km from Ribbonwood Retreat.
Douglas WalkDistance: 4 km return on the track
Duration: 1 hour Level: Easy One of my favourite rides is to the Douglas Walk in the Glacier Valley. A bike ride up to the beginning of the track, then the bike is abandoned, jogging shoes donned and off round the 4 km loop taking in these fab views. I can never take enough photos of the moods of Peters Pool, a lake which reflects the glacier. It was created by the retreating glacier dropping a chunk of melted ice that formed into a kettle lake about 1800 AD. Find out more in my blog. Click on this link: Our Pick: Top Walks in Glacier Country |
Franz Josef Glacier ValleyDistance: 3 km return on the track
Duration: 30 minutes hours return Level: Easy This is is an easy forest walk to a river bank view of the glacier. Wander through lush rainforest, and over small creeks until you are up and alongside the mighty Waiho River looking up the valley, The track is currently cut short to just a 30-minute return walk. The glacier is constantly moving with the ice and rock falling from the terminal face. Walking access to view the glaciers has remained problematical, caused by storm events and river erosion of the valley floor. Find out more in my blog. Click on this link: Our Pick: Top Walks in Glacier Country |
Te Ara a Waiau CyclewayDistance: 8.7 km return on the track
Duration: 1 hour Cycle 2 hours Walk Level: Easy After following the road on your own trail, the track enters the ancient podocarp forest. It winds its way easily up the valley through the lush rainforest. I think this is by far the best way to access to the glacier area. Arriving by foot or bicycle gives you a chance to appreciate the succession of vegetation types, each representing a different stage of re-growth as the ice retreated. Listen carefully as you go, the birdlife resounds through the forest though that can depend on the time of year. |
Roberts Point TrackDistance: 11km return on the track
Duration: 12.3 kms return Level: Challenging, good fitness This hike has some of the best views of the glacier from the viewing platform. The rainforest and fascinating historical features make this a real adventure. Over the years tramping this track, we have always set off in good weather conditions but invariably the afternoon cloud arrives with hill showers, though the village not far away stays bathed in sun! The track then becomes slippery with slow progress. Whenever we walk it, we have a chance to think about our surroundings, and marvel on the guiding pioneers who shaped this track long ago. Find out more in my blog. Click on this link Our Pick Walks in Glacier Country: Roberts Point Track |
Alex KnobDistance: 17.2 km return on the track
Duration: 8 hours or more return Level: Challenging, good fitness Climbing Alex Knob rewards trampers with spectacular alpine advantage views of Franz Josef Glacier. This is not a stroll in the park though, it will take eight hours with a steady uphill climb of over 1000m. This is a tramping track with rough terrain so you will need to be prepared climb over windfalls and watch out for obstacles (I have been known to forget to look upward and banged my head on branches jutting out.) The track zig zags endlessly on, but the thick forest and bird life are good reasons to stop and take rests. Find out more in my blog. Click on this link Alex Knob Track |
Ōkārito walking tracksDistance: 4.2 km return on the track
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Level: Easy If time is short, a side trip to the Okarito Trig can reward visitors with panoramic views of the Southern Alps. The track crosses a small wetland on a curvaceous boardwalk above rippling swathes of oioi, the endemic New Zealand jointed wire rush. The track climbs up to a viewing platform overlooking the lagoons and south Okarito forest, home of the rare kiwi species known as Rowi. We think that it is well worth the hike to the top for such a grand view! If time allows, the Ōkārito Coastal Walk is a wonderful 3 hour 30 minutes tide dependant easy walk. Distance: 9.8 km Find out more in my blog. Click on this link Hidden Trails of the Glacier Region - Okarito |
