Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk
Walk up the glacier valley to the terminal face of Franz Josef Glacier, one of the world's fastest-moving glaciers, descending from the Southern Alps to rainforest.
- 1
Franz Josef Village
The small village of Franz Josef is the base for glacier explorations — the entire settlement exists to serve visitors drawn by the world-famous glacier.
- 2
Glacier Valley Road End
The road ends at a car park where the moraine-marked glacier valley opens before you — the scale of glacial recession over the past century is immediately apparent.
- 3
Moraine Wall Walk
Lateral moraine walls mark the glacier's former extent — the rocky ridges show how dramatically the ice has retreated, with the valley floor once filled with ice.
- 4
Waiho River Crossing
The milky grey Waiho River carries glacial meltwater and fine rock flour ground by the glacier above — its colour comes from rock suspended in the meltwater.
- 5
Glacier Terminal Face Viewpoint
The viewing point gives a safe view of the glacier terminus — access beyond is restricted due to icefalls, but the blue-green ice is extraordinary from here.
- 6
Rainforest Glacier Contrast Point
Nowhere else on earth does glacial ice descend into temperate rainforest at sea level — the contrast of ice and lush green forest is uniquely dramatic.