Fox Glacier
A unique hike up to the Fox Glacier on the South Island
NEW ZEALAND
Fox Glacier, located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, is a magnificent river of ice that stretches down from the Southern Alps. It is a popular destination as tourists have visited the area for decades. There are signposts along the trail which mention where the face of the glacier had been in the past. Each year the glacier recedes and visitors are provided with a different view and need to hike further in order to reach the glacier.
In addition to the glacier itself, the surrounding area offers picturesque views of the Southern Alps and the lush rainforest. We parked at the Fox Glacier car park and the hike is about an hour and a half round trip. Below are some pictures of the trail on the way up to the glacier.
On our way back out on the Fox Glacier road, there was a turnoff for the Fox Glacier River walk. This was a short hike down to a historic 70 meter long swing bridge built in 1929. The bridge has a capacity of 5 people at a time. When we were there, the river walk after the bridge was closed due to a rock slide on the trail in 2016. Below is a video of our walk on the bridge.
Whether you are an adventure enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, visiting Fox Glacier is an unforgettable experience. Happy exploring!
As we got closer to the glacier, we heard helicopters fly over the glacier. Many tours offer a helicopter option to give you a beautiful birds eye view of the glacier. As well, it was the only way to reach the glacier and walk on it. At the glacier viewpoint on the trail they had signs and ropes to keep you on a designated path, as much of the area was unstable and washes down into the valley below.
