fox glacier

I drove to the glacier carpark then walked up the steep scree track to the viewpoint at the head of the glacier. The walk takes about an hour and is hard going in places, loose rocks gravel and flowing water are all possible accident spots. I consider myself fit but was having problems keeping my footing both on the ascent and descent in good hiking boots. Imagine my horror when I noticed people attempting the walk in nothing more than flip-flops. A large display screen at the carpark clearly points out that decent footwear should be used. Please be sensible and use the correct kit for the task and avoid accidents.

We did an 8.30 am 20 minute helicopter trip with 2 other people up to the glacier. Not cheap but one of those unforgettable life experiences. Put it on your bucket list!

Hubby is 65 and I'm 62. Neither of us are fit but we made the "trek" to the viewpoint to see the edge of Fox Glacier. It took us about an hour to do the return walk. Essentially you walk up the glacial river bed so the terrain can be quite uneven with loose shale and rocks and steepish inclines in places. There are also a few streams with stepping stones across. All in all not a walk in the park but being able to see the glacier from quite a close viewpoint (500m) was amazing and made the walk worthwhile. Lots of people on the track so don't expect a solitary experience.

Saw it 2 ways - total cost $0. Did the Glacier View walk (over the bridge further from town towers Haast) - short walk from the carpark. Good view. Then did the walk to the base of the glacier (before bridge closer to Fox). Quite a steep walk in part. Can't get on to glacier but get pretty close.

Anyone passing by Fox Glacier should take time to walk up to where they can see the face of the glacier. It's about a ten minute uphill hike from the parking to a viewpoint - in the company of hundreds of other tourists taking selfies and viewing the glacier through their iPhone screens. Fox is still an impressive river of ice sweeping down from its higher reaches but a sad remnant of what was in many visitors' lifetimes a much larger fall that extended several km further down the valley. Five stars for the awe-inspiring view of the way it has carved out the valley,but still a disturbing reminder of the effects of global warming,

It was a slog through the rain late in the day.The walk was energizing and the air fresh.After Norwegian glaciers, it was a little disappointing.

The path up to the glacier not for the faint hearted and definitely need good walking shoes. The view of the glacier was well worth the effort, fantastic!!

The glacier is an easy hours walk from the carpark and well wotrth the effort. Get in early for a tranquil experience before the helicopters start flying.

Fox glacier is reached by helicopter, which although expensive is a must. The flight over the glacier is breathtaking and if conditions are right you land on the glacier and are able to walk on it. You can walk part of the way to have a look at where the glacier spills into the valley .

With markers showing where the glacier reached it gives you a real feel for how nature ebbs & flows over the years/decades. The approach & surrounding area is well managed by the DOC and the shortish climb is very rewarding once you get there

This walk is just over an hour round trip to the viewing platform. Be warned the walk starts off gently enough but it is a fairly steep incline for the last part. You do need to be reasonably fit. You also cross a couple of streams using rocks, so be prepared and wear decent shoes. It did rain lightly while we were there. We went about 5 pm in summer - it was still quite busy, but thinned out on the return. Toilets are located in the car park. Lots of helicopters passed overhead during our walk.

We did the Fox Glacier helihike. It was recommended as the better of the two glaciers near each other, which offer a helihike. Whilst they were a little too casual for my liking when it came to safety (don't record any details such as emergency contact person, don't get you to sign an indemnity form, etc) the experience was great. They were also probably a bit lax when it came to overseas tourists (we were there during Chinese new year celebrations) - I'm not sure any of the Chinese who were on our trip understood what was expected of them when it came to staying safe on the glacier. The only thing which would have made it even better would have been if they actually flew you up and over the entire glacier, rather than just to where you disembark to walk on the ice.

Enjoyed walking the valley was a bit rough in places the last climb up to the viewing platform was quite steep and there were signs everywhere telling you not to stop because of rock fall so some people found it quite hard. Worth the climb got a good view of the glacier at the top. My advice is wear good walking shoes saw some people on the way back in jandals, not sure how that would work on the loose stones and steep climb. Well worth the effort of the walk.

This was the only glacier we saw on our trip and it was absolutely beautiful. We went on our own and the walk was good until we reached the step incline then my family had to stop several times and the kids were exhausted when we reached the top. The surface was made of pebbles, rocks and boulders so make sure you wear closed in footwear with grip. It is definitely worth a trip.

Another beautiful glacier, well worth seeing. We decided to do this one ourselves, having spent enough money on a helihike to Franz Josef Glacier. We arrived at the carpark, no shops, only a toilet, and a sign that said an hour return walk. Okay that seemed all right. The walk there took us half an hour, over rubble, stones, through streams, and up a steep hill at the end. Wear appropriate footwear everyone. It was not an enjoyable walk up the hill (for me) but the view was worth it all. Fox glacier is stunning. It would be nice to be able to get closer, however we could see how unstable the area was and that it just isn't possible for them to extend the walk. Im glad we bought enough food and drink, wish i had been wearing better footwear, and the walk turn around for those less fit is a little longer than an hour if you want to stop for a while to admire the view. Take water with you.