It’s been a while since I last visited the Franz Josef Glacier in 2017. The mighty glacier walk on the South Island of New Zealand is a popular place to visit and hike, much like the Hooker Valley Track further south.
However, changing climate conditions and safety concerns have rapidly altered access to this iconic glacier. Back in 2012, the Department of Conservation stopped visitors from actually hiking to and standing on the icy glacier itself.
So, how can you experience the Franz Josef Glacier walk on foot, how close can you get, and is it still worth it? Let’s dive in and find out more.
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VERIFIED Curated by Rebecca Crowe · Reviewed by Senior Editor Arslan · November 2026
How We Curate This Guide
Rebecca Crowe curated this guide from her firsthand visit to Franz Josef Glacier in June 2017, supported by her original travel photography. Her account reflects the route she walked, the scenery she encountered, and her experience of exploring the glacier valley without booking a helicopter tour.
For the 2026 update, our editorial team checked practical information against the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s official guidance, including walking distances, route difficulty, viewpoint access, parking charges, and safety restrictions. Senior Editor Arslan reviewed the guide for accuracy and clarity, ensuring Rebecca’s personal observations are clearly distinguished from current visitor information.
My visit to Franz Josef Glacier
I visited Franz Josef Glacier as part of my first trip to New Zealand, and was trying to cram everything in on a shoestring budget.
As a result, there was no room in my wallet for a helicopter ride to the glacier. This is by far the most popular method to get up to the glacier, and heli-hikes and landing flights are the only way to stand on the ice of Franz Josef Glacier anymore, as a tourist.
Instead, I put on my hiking boots and hit the trail. From the Franz Josef township, it’s a 4.5km walk to the Franz Josef Glacier trailhead car park. You wander along the road and the Waiho River, gazing up at the mountains and icy sheets up ahead.
I visited in June, so it was just starting to get cooler as New Zealand headed into its winter months. Luckily, the sun was shining for this hike, and it quickly got warmer than expected.
From the car park, there are a few trails you can explore, the main one being the short Franz Josef Glacier Walk, otherwise known as the free Department of Conservation track. This takes 30 to 45 minutes (1.7 km) to complete round trip and brings you to the glacier viewpoint. Having already walked from the town, rather than driving or getting a taxi, this is the short walk I opted for.
The Franz Josef Glacier Walk itself is free, but parking at the main glacier car park now comes with a charge. As of November 2026, DOC charges NZ$2.50 per half-hour or NZ$20 for the day.
There is a 10-minute free period for quick drop-offs and pick-ups. Parking machines accept debit and credit cards, but not cash. It’s worth checking the latest parking information on the DOC website before your visit.
Honestly, this could be done in decent trainers and doesn’t require proper hiking boots. You wander through temperate rainforest, which is jarring to see so close to snow-capped mountains.
As you wander along the river, expect to see waterfalls, especially in the spring or autumn when rainfall is higher.
From the viewpoint, you can get fantastic views of the Franz Josef Glacier cascading down the mountainside. All this without having to do a super intense hike or expensive helicopter ride, if you don’t want to.
How close can you get to the Franz Josef Glacier on foot?
If you’re not going on a heli-hike excursion, which is one of the most popular things to do in Franz Josef Glacier, you can’t actually get that close to the Franz Josef Glacier. While the longer full-day hikes from the car park get you closer to the glacier, they’re still viewpoints, and you can’t actually go on the ice from the valley.
You used to be able to go on foot from the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk and follow it up to the ice. However, the glacier has retreated, so this is no longer viable.
Even if you’re on the longer hikes, you’re getting higher up the alpine landscapes to get clearer views of the whole glacier and the Southern Alps beyond, rather than getting closer to the glacier at its base.
If walking on the ice itself is on your bucket list, a guided Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike is an alternative. A helicopter takes you onto the glacier, where you explore the ice with an experienced guide and specialist equipment.
What different viewpoint hikes to Franz Josef Glacier viewpoints are there?
Of course, the Franz Josef Glacier Walk is the most popular short walk in the area. Another option is the Sentinel Rock Walk, an easy 900 m return track that takes approximately 20 minutes from the glacier car park.
It’s a short, steady climb to a viewpoint overlooking Franz Josef Glacier, the Waiho River and the surrounding valley. Information panels at the lookout also show how much the glacier has retreated over time, making it a worthwhile addition to the main walk.
There are also half- and full-day hikes from here. The Roberts Point Track is a challenging 5 to 5.5 hours return (11.8–12.3 km, 670m elevation gain), with scrambling, swing bridges, and cantilever bridges on the cliff face. This is a technical hike that requires a clear day, proper hiking gear, and a head for heights.
Alternatively, the Alex Knob Track is a moderately difficult incline hike, but is more steady. It takes around 8 hours return (17.2 km, ~1,200m elevation gain) up through the forest, meadows, and up to the alpine viewpoint of the entire glacier. If I had the time, the Alex Knob would’ve been the hike I’d have done.
Is the Franz Josef Glacier still worth visiting on foot?
Yes, in my opinion, the Franz Josef Glacier is still worth visiting on foot. While it’s sad that you can no longer get to the icy edge, it’s the reality of climate change happening in front of our eyes. With heli-hikes and helicopter rides costing hundreds of dollars for a half-day tour, it’s not practical for most people to afford.
For those who want to see the glacier from above without committing to a full heli-hike, a Franz Josef Glacier helicopter flight with a snow landing is another option. It offers a closer look at the ice formations and surrounding mountains, along with a short stop on the snow.
The views from the valley viewpoints are still incredible, and walking from rainforests to river valleys, past waterfalls to see icy peaks is otherworldly. It’s like a microcosm of the South Island all in one go.
Weather conditions and the best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier
For the best weather conditions and longest daylight hours, it’s best to visit Franz Josef Glacier during the New Zealand Summer (December to February). However, it’s worth noting that this is the peak season. That means accommodation can be expensive and the crowds are plentiful.
If you don’t mind dealing with rain, and want to see vibrant waterfalls, go in the autumn or spring seasons (March to May and September to November). While you might need wet weather gear, there are fewer crowds and the icy conditions haven’t hit yet.
Things to know before you visit Franz Josef Glacier for the first time
Before you visit Franz Josef Glacier by foot for the first time, it’s important to keep an eye on the Department of Conservation website. Tracks can close due to rockfalls and weather conditions, and they’re shared on that site first.
As with any natural space, make sure to stay on the trails and behind the barriers – they are there for a reason! Don’t feed any wildlife and make sure to take your rubbish home with you. It’s worth noting that there are toilets at the car park, but none further up the trails, so be prepared.
For the photographers, there are absolutely no drones allowed around Franz Josef Glacier. New Zealand is pretty strict about drone bans in natural spaces, and especially here due to the helicopter tours.
Make sure to bring plenty of layers and clothes for all eventualities. The South Island easily has all four seasons in one day, even if you’re there in the peak of summer. I was there at the start of winter and ended up hiking at the viewpoint in a vest top. Go figure.
If you’re interested in more New Zealand content, check out my guide to Mount Maunganui, and the Wanderlust Craze best hikes list.
