The Franz Josef Trail is a four-day fully guided walking tour in the spectacular Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. You will experience a number of unique walks that incorporate the dramatic ice formations of Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, historical gold trails, wondrous coastal beaches, captivating lakes and luxuriant West Coast rainforests.
On the Franz Josef Trail you will...
  • Walk along the historical gold trails within the enchanting West Coast forest

  • Enjoy a mixture of bush and beach walking on the old packhorse tracks of the Hari Hari Coastal Walk

  • Indulge in panoramic views of the Westland National Park, while meandering through towering rimu, rata and silver pine forest

  • View the dramatic and striking Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. They will simply take your breath away... and Franz Josef Glacier was nominated as one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World

  • Let your guide entertain you with the fascinating history of the glacial landforms starting in 1600AD

  • Stay in the quaint alpine villages of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

  • Capture the famous mirror images of Mount Cook and surrounding Southern Alps on Lake Matheson in the still of the morning
Features of the trail include:
  • Your trip is fully guided and your bags are transported for you. All you will need to carry is your day pack, camera and essential clothing items.

  • Good quality accommodation is provided on all three nights.

  • All meals are provided for the duration of the trip (lunch on Day One through to breakfast on Day Four). Each night you will experience great local cuisine (wine and other beverages are available at your own cost).

  • The tour begins and ends in Hokitika, on the West Coast, with all your transportation during the tour included. If required, we are able to offer return courtesy trips from Christchurch. Please note that accommodation in Hokitika on the night before the tour commences is at your own cost (we can assist with arranging this). We return to Christchurch on the last day of the tour. Please contact us for more information.

  • Four days of picturesque walks and fascinating history!

Day One

Departing from Hokitika you will embark on a short scenic drive to Ross where you begin four days of unforgettable guided walks on the Franz Josef Trail.

Ross is a small West Coast town where New Zealand's largest gold nugget, "The Honourable Roddy" was found. Your guide will take you on an expedition along the Water Race Walkway, which is an historic gold trail that winds its way up the hill behind the township. Stride through the regenerating bush and pass a network of water races that supplied water to the sluicing operations of the Ross Goldfields. There will be an opportunity to pan for gold here. You will walk past old miners huts and dams, and through the rainforest clad hills between the Totara and Mikonui Rivers.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before starting the Hari Hari Coastal Walk. Following the old packhorse tracks alongside the Wanganui River you will experience a mixture of bush and beach walking. Be on the lookout for seals heading off into the surf before you make your way into the lush rainforest via one of the many bridges along the track.

Tonight you will enjoy an evening meal in the interesting alpine village of Franz Josef, nestled at the foot of the Southern Alps.


Day Two

Departing on foot from the centre of Franz Josef township, your guide will lead the group up to a high terrace behind the village on the Callery-Waiho Walk. The track passes old sluice pipes, which are still used to provide the town water supply. You will walk alongside an old goldmining water-race before descending to the Callery Gorge Bridge.

At Douglas Bridge you will take a look at some interesting plant life within the 40-year old shrub forest on the Douglas Walkway. Next stop along the way is Peters Pool, a kettle lake formed by melting ice in 1800AD. The track climbs onto ancient glacial moraine where your guide unfolds some fascinating natural history on how the glacial landform developed from 1600AD to 1750AD. Spectacular views of the glaciers can be appreciated from here, which makes it the perfect spot to take a break and munch on some lunch.

From this point you begin the Franz Josef Glacier Walk, following a rocky path over the riverbed and along the track that will take you close to the ice. You will be kept busy with boulder hopping, scenic waterfalls and a few small stream crossings.

Enjoy another night in Franz Josef village and a great meal with your group.


Day Three

This morning's walk will start in Okarito, a small coastal settlement surrounded by the panorama of ocean, tidal estuary, sea cliffs, lush forest and unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps.

Take a few minutes out to spot some distinctive West Coast beach pebbles as you walk along the foreshore amongst the rocks. At the bridge on a clear day you can see the awe-inspiring mighty Mount Cook and surrounding Southern Alps.

Indulge in amazing panoramic views of the Westland National Park coastline before your guide leads you along the inland route, and then over the Kohuamarua Bluff. This is a great spot to meander through towering rimu, rata and silver pine forest, before dropping down to a quiet sheltered lagoon.

After lunch you can take a peek inside the hut on the old jetty at Okarito. Here you can view old photos of the area and there is a storyboard illustrating the history of Okarito.

This afternoon you will then view the dramatic ice on the Fox Glacier Walk. After inspecting ice in the river and enjoying the boulder hopping, you view the striking terminal ice face, which is a spectacular experience.

With a very unique and diverse day of walking under your belt you overnight in the town of Fox Glacier and enjoy restaurant dining with fantastic views of the area.


Day Four

This morning, before breakfast, you will take in truly stunning vistas on the Lake Matheson Walk. Your group will stroll along a very pleasant track with plenty of viewing platforms for capturing the famous mirror images of Mount Cook, Tasman and LaPerous from different angles.

The lake is nestled in ancient forest in the Te Wahipounamu South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, which includes the Westland Tai Pountini National Park. The lake was formed over 14,000 years ago when the Fox Glacier retreated from its last major advance towards the sea and left a depression which later filled with water.

After your walk around Lake Matheson you will enjoy a hearty and much deserved breakfast before setting off back to Hokitika. The tour finishes in Hokitika.

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