The South Island’s glacier country in New Zealand is beautiful. If you are travelling to the south then no doubt Franz Josef or Fox Glacier will be on your itinerary list. (Or maybe even both of them!). However, if you don’t have the time or money to visit both glaciers with a guided tour or heli-tour; then you are likely wondering which glacier walk is right for you…
If you do have the time, then I really recommend doing both the walks. And if you don’t, hopefully this quick guide will help you decide which one is right for you. Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?
Contents
- Franz Josef or Fox Glacier?
- Pros and cons
- Comparing the stats
- Quick facts about Franz Josef
- Quick facts about Fox Glacier
- Summary
- Know before you go
- Accommodation options in glacier country
Franz Josef – pros and cons
Franz Josef Glacier is located in the amazing Westland Tai Poutini National Park. And what makes the walk to Franz Josef unique (apart from the fact it is even doable!) is the low altitude it reaches.
Franz Josef glacier descends right down to 250m above sea level, to where the rainforest grows. Thus, walking the bush track to see the glacier is a beautiful experience.
There are three popular walks that start from the Franz Josef Glacier carpark including the Franz Josef Glacier track, as well as the walk to Peter’s Pool and Sentinel Rock.
Pros:
- Shorter walk: The main walk of Franz Josef Glacier is shorter than Fox.
- Options for different walks: There are several short walk options easily accessible from the carpark. You can read about those here.
- More amenities: The township of Franz Josef Glacier is much more developed than Fox Glacier. Both towns actually have a similar number of permanent residents (300 – 400), but Franz Josef has more accommodation options and a wider range of restaurants.
Cons:
- Higher visitor numbers: Franz Josef Glacier gets up to around 2700 visitors a day in the peak seasons whereas Fox Glacier gets around 1000.
- Track closure: The track can often be closed due to the weather and the viewpoint access is therefore a long distance from the glacier itself.
Fox Glacier – pros and cons
Fox Glacier is a longer and faster moving glacier than neighbouring Franz Josef. The terminal face of Fox Glacier is only five kilometres from the village and the walk is easy and family friendly.
However, the choice of walks to Fox Glacier can cause some confusion with expectations of how close up visitors can get.
There are two main options for walking in the Fox Glacier Region:
- South Side Walk
- Fox Glacier Valley Walk
On our visit to Fox Glacier, we did the South Side Walk (6.4 km) to the Glacier Viewpoints. The shorter Fox Glacier Valley Walk (2.6km) was closed.
Pros:
- Lookout: The first lookout point to Fox Glacier is approximately 30 minutes walk from the carpark, while the equivalent viewpoint at Franz Josef is about an hour.
- Size: Fox Glacier is the larger of the two glaciers and stretches an extra kilometre.
- Interest: The walk through the forest at Fox Glacier is beautiful and includes stops along the way at the warm spring.
- Lake Matheson: Fox Glacier has the secondary attraction of the beautiful Lake Matheson. The lake is one of the South Islands most picturesque day walks with breathtaking reflections of Mt. Cook in the lake.
Cons:
- Visibility: Fox Glacier is less steep than Franz Josef so the overall visibility of the glacier face from afar is slightly less.
- Distance: The final viewpoint for the glacier is still a long distance from the glacier face.
Comparing the stats
This is our verdict comparing the stats for Franz Josef or Fox Glacier in each category…
- Distance from viewpoint to glacier face: Fox Glacier
- Track distance: Franz Josef (slightly shorter)
- Visibility of glacier face: Franz Josef
- Incline: The main Franz Josef track is less steep
- Difficulty: Franz Josef is easier (though make sure it is open all the way!)
- Township amenities: Franz Josef
- Tourist numbers: Fox Glacier was much quieter
The distance between the two glaciers is a 25 minute drive.
Quick facts about Franz Josef Glacier
- Distance: 5 kms
- Route: Double back, return track (track is 2.5 km each way)
- Time needed: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Track difficulty: Easy
- Elevation change: 264m
- Pram/wheelchair access: No
- Toilets: Yes (at the start of track)
- Mobile coverage: No
Quick facts about the Fox Glacier Walk
- Distance: 6.4 km return via the same track
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Main township: Fox Glacier
- Cost: Free. There is not charge to walk the track.
- Track difficulty: Easy; walking track
- Pram/wheelchair access: No
- Toilets: There are toilets in Fox Glacier township. At the time we visited (May 2020) the toilets at the old carpark halfway along the track, were closed.
- Mobile coverage: No
- Location: State Highway 6 Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Fox Glacier
In summary
In short, if you are holidaying in the South Island and looking for a more well established infrastructure and more options for accommodation and dining in the area than Franz Josef might be the one to pick.
However, if you are looking for a walk that is a bit more off the beaten track and with less people around; head to Fox Glacier.
Know before you go
- The glacier area can be hazardous with ice and rockfall or warnings of flooding. Be aware of and respect your surroundings.
- Check the forecast. All of part of the tracks can be closed due to weather effects or maintenance. Check with the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre in Franz Josef, or online at the daily glacier access update Glacier Country website here.
- Dress appropriately. Weather can change rapidly so ensure you take warm and waterproof clothing.
- Carry water and snacks. There are no shops near the track (the closest refreshments are in Franz Josef village).
- Use sun protection and insect repellent for your comfort.
Accommodation options in Glacier Country
If travelling the West Coast by campervan, there are several options for campsites in Fox Glacier, Franz Josef and Haast including:
FOX GLACIER: Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park
Location: Kerr Road, Fox Glacier 7886
Cost: Powered site from $48 per night
Facilities: All the Top 10 Holiday Park facilities and great location to explore Fox Glacier as a day trip.
FRANZ JOSEF: Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park
Location: 2902 Franz Josef Highway, Franz Josef Glacier
Cost: Powered sites from $48 p/n.
Facilities: Amazing facilities. Great base for exploring Franz Josef. Big playground and jumping pillow. Friendly staff.
HAAST: Haast River Motels/Holiday Park
Location: 52 Haast Pass Highway, State Highway 6
Cost: From $44 NZD p/n
Facilities: Communal kitchen and dining area. Toilets and hot showers. Note: NO pots, plates or utensils supplied. Free Wifi (500 mb per device). And don’t forget to visit Jackson Bay while staying in Haast. We saw dolphins in the bay!
If visiting by car, there are many other options for accommodation in Fox Glacier listed here on the Glacier Guiding website.
Enjoy yourself!
And don’t stress! This is glacier country.
If you are struggling between Franz Josef or Fox Glacier you are in the right place and it is totally possible to do both of them!
More about travel planning for New Zealand and beyond…
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