Walking Into Time – The Fox Glacier Track
Access: South bank of the Fox River, about 2 km south of Fox Glacier Village
Distance: 6.4 km return
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
This walk offers one of the most powerful views of Fox Glacier I’ve ever experienced—second only to standing on it by helicopter. But in many ways, seeing it from a distance tells a deeper story.
Fox Glacier has been retreating for decades, and the history of access into this valley reflects that change. Tracks once led much closer to the ice—on both sides of the valley. About a decade ago, I walked up the north side, reaching near the glacier’s terminal face. Not long after, severe West Coast weather brought flooding that destroyed large sections of the road and track, permanently altering access.
Even earlier, on a childhood family trip, we drove partway up the south side for a glimpse of the glacier. That road is long gone now too, replaced over time by a shared walking and cycling track.
Before discovering this walk, I always thought the best glacier view was from the roadside lookout near Lake Matheson—a place known as Glacier View. It’s still a great vantage point, especially for those not able to walk far. But this track reveals something far more immersive.
Just after crossing the Fox River bridge, a large car park sits on a terrace above the river. From here, the track follows the old road that once wound up the valley. It’s wide and well-graded, with only one notably steeper section where the route has been diverted around a large slip.
After around 30 minutes, the first viewpoint opens up. It’s an impressive reveal—the upper glacier framed by steep valley walls—and a perfect turnaround point if time is limited.
Continuing on for another 10 minutes brings you to the end of the old road and cycle track. An old long-drop toilet stands here, permanently closed, a quiet relic of earlier access.
From this point, the track narrows. Walkers (no bikes allowed on this section of the track) can continue along a short, rougher trail that leads to a series of increasingly better viewpoints. Each one draws you a little closer—not physically, but visually—to the glacier. The clarity is striking. The scale undeniable. And the retreat… impossible to ignore.
Sheer-sided mountains rise dramatically from the valley floor, their faces carved by time and weather. The riverbed below tells its own story—braided, scarred, shaped by floods that continue to redefine the landscape. Fences now mark the boundary, preventing access further up the valley. It’s important to respect them—both for safety and preservation.
If you have the time, stay a while. Let the scale of the place settle. It’s hard not to imagine what this valley looked like decades—or even centuries—ago, when the glacier filled much more of the space before you.
The return journey follows the same track, but there’s a worthwhile detour: the Moraine Walk.
This narrower, more rugged trail traces the glacier’s old moraine wall, offering a tangible connection to its past. Interpretive signs mark the glacier’s terminal positions from as far back as 1600 and 1790. The track itself feels historic—stones carved into steps, ancient trees lining the path, each one bearing silent witness to centuries of change.
Eventually, the Moraine Walk rejoins the main track for a short and easy return to the car park.
This is more than just a walk to a viewpoint—it’s a journey through time, revealing not just where the glacier is, but where it once was.
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