Can you walk Franz Josef Glacier without a guide?

Yes! You can hike the trail to the base of the glacier without a guide.

Thereof Do you need a guide Franz Josef Glacier? No, you won’t. The average speed of Franz Josef Glacier’s ice flow is around 1.5m per day (but speeds of up to 12 meters per day have been recorded in the steeper sections of the glacier). The movement is imperceptible, hikers walk safely on the surface of the glacier guided by a skilled glacier guide.

Why is Fox Glacier closed? The access road to the iconic destination of Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe in South Westland will be closed for the indefinite future after an engineering report commissioned by DOC and the New Zealand Transport Agency found it was no longer practical to re-establish road access into the valley.

Similarly, How long is Franz Josef glacier walk?

About the Franz Josef Glacier Walk

Mar 29, 2021

How close can you drive to Fox Glacier?

Fox Glacier village is on State Highway 6 and is 158km 2 hours by car from Hokitika, 262km 3 hours and 15 minutes by car from Wanaka and 25 minutes by car from Franz Josef Glacier village. Fox Glacier is just five kilometres from the village. Check out the Daily Glacier Access Update before your visit.

Is the Franz Josef Glacier retreating? Any visitor returning to Franz Josef glacier this year, after 10 years, would notice a stark distance. Since 2008, it has been retreating rapidly and lost a massive 1.56km in length, at the fastest rate ever recorded.

Can you walk on glaciers in New Zealand?

As there is no longer the option to walk directly up to a glacier for glacier hiking anywhere in New Zealand, the only way to hike on a glacier is by helicopter. This means there are more people flying onto the glaciers than ever before.

How do I get Franz Josef Glacier for free? Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. You can’t get that close to the glacier face anymore because it’s receded too far.

Where is the Franz Josef Glacier found?

From its origins high in the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata-a-Hine Hukatere) descends into the lush native rainforest of Westland’s National Park. This descent occurs from a height of 3,000m above sea level to 500m over a distance of 9km, making it one of the steepest glaciers in the country.

Can you see Franz Josef Glacier from the road? However, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the exception not far from the West Coast Road, State Highway 6. Head south from the Franz Josef Glacier Village and cross the one way Bailey bridge over the Waiho River.

What should I wear to Franz Josef Glacier? This includes:

• Breathable rain jacket.
• Hiking boots.
• Waterproof over-trousers.
• Crampons.
• Harness & Helmet.

Is the road to Fox Glacier Open? Open daily: 8:30am – 5:00pm everyday except Christmas Day. PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Conservation office at Fox Glacier is not open to the public. All enquiries are to be made to the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre. Glacier Motors, 20 Main Road, Franz Josef village.

Can you see Fox Glacier from the road?

To see the glacier, you can head towards Lake Matheson on Cook Flat Road for magnificent views. You can arrange an ice-hiking adventure or booking a scenic flight. There are glow worm caves just a short walk from the town centre, which offers a good choice of cafes and restaurants.

Can you see Franz Josef Glacier?

The best view of the Franz Josef Glacier is from the five hour return walk to Roberts Point, 600m on the opposite side of the Waiho valley from where you are standing. Click here to see the Roberts Point Walking Track at Franz Josef.

What is the steepest glacier? Franz Josef is the steepest and fastest moving glacier in New Zealand. The steep form of the glacier creates the perfect conditions for ice flow. One impressive Franz Josef glacier fact is that this glacier has been recorded as moving up to 4 metres per day.

What is the largest glacier in New Zealand? The largest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman Glacier, is 27km long and covers an area of 101 square kilometres, sitting below our highest mountain – Mount Cook.

How far has Franz Josef Glacier receding?

Since 2008, Franz Josef Glacier has been in a period of retreat, and has lost around 800 metres of length. Glaciers advance and retreat as a part of a natural cycle.

How old is Franz Josef Glacier? The Franz Josef Glacier is approximately 7000 years old, and a remnant of a much older and larger glacier which was originally swept right to the sea. Today it is 12 kilometres long, from the high snowfields of the Southern Alps.

How do I get to glacier NZ?

Getting there

To reach the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, it’s a 3-hour drive from Wanaka or 4-hour drive from Queenstown. A great alternative to consider is taking the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth, renting a car in Greymouth then exploring the West Coast on the way to the glaciers.

What can you do for free at Fox Glacier?

• Lake Matheson Walk. 950. Scenic Walking Areas. Open now. …
• Fox Glacier Hiking Trails. 396. Hiking Trails. …
• Fox Glacier South Side Walk. 802. Hiking Trails. …
• Gillespies Beach. 198. Beaches. …
• Minnehaha Walk. Hiking Trails. Open now.
• Moraine Walk. Hiking Trails.
• ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery. Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries. By micko-burns.

What is special about Franz Josef Glacier?

Why steep glaciers are the best glaciers Franz Josef Glacier is one of the steepest and fastest moving glaciers on the planet. Its narrow, steep shape is perfectly formed for ice flow. Franz Josef Glacier funnels ice from a height of 3,000 metres to 240 metres in just under 11 kilometres.

Why is Franz Josef Glacier famous? Franz Josef is the steepest and fastest moving glacier in New Zealand. The steep form of the glacier creates the perfect conditions for ice flow. One impressive Franz Josef glacier fact is that this glacier has been recorded as moving up to 4 metres per day.

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