This post will document glacier hikes in New Zealand featured on Chur New Zealand.
The hikes will take you to either a viewpoint of a glacier or a glacier you can walk right up to.
New Zealand has over 3000 glaciers. The majority are small and you’ll never hear about them.
That’s a lot more than I ever expected. The crazy part? There are only 18 on the North Island, all on Mount Ruapehu.
Fortunately, there are lots of glaciers that you can visit while hiking in NZ.
GLACIER HIKES IN NEW ZEALAND
1. Rob Roy Glacier Track
2. Earnslaw Burn Track
3. Roberts Point Track
4. Mueller Hut Track
5. Brewster Hut Track
1. ROB ROY GLACIER TRACK
- Difficulty: Easy-medium.
- Distance: ~11km return (to the viewpoint)
This is one of the most popular and therefore best glacier walks in New Zealand. It’s a pretty easy track with a well-manicured trail taking you to the upper viewpoint of the glacier.
The viewing point is still over a kilometre from the base of the glacier, but if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s possible to venture further up close to the glacier (at your own risk).
READ THE FULL POST: THE ROB ROY GLACIER TRACK
2. THE EARNSLAW BURN TRACK
- Difficulty: Medium – hard.
- Distance: 27km return
You can get right up close to the Mount Earnslaw Glacier which makes this an epic hike.
It’s not the easiest hike in with the first 8km full of technical forest track before the last section follows the Earnslaw Burn River that takes you through tussock-lined tracks. You’ll have views of the glacier throughout the last 5km though. How’s that for motivation.
Most people opting to camp out there overnight, but if you’re fit and don’t have tonnes of time on your hands you can make this a day trip.
READ THE FULL POST: THE EARNSLAW BURN TRACK
3. THE ROBERTS POINT TRACK
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: ~11km return
The Roberts Point Track is one of several places you can get a glimpse of the Franz Josef Glacier. While you don’t get a great angle to grasp the full size of the glacier, you do get relatively close.
And the track itself is amazing with valley views, Peters Pool, swing bridges, waterfalls, cliff-hugging steps. and fun rock formations all featuring on the track.
READ THE FULL POST: THE ROBERTS POINT TRACK
4. MUELLER HUT TRACK
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: ~10 – 11km return
This is the marquee hike in Mount Cook National Park (I’d consider the Hooker Valley Track a walk).
The Mueller Hut Track takes you up to the photogenic red hut close to the peak of Mount Ollivier. This is a tough hike, but in the summer those with a basic level of fitness will be able to get through it.
Most people will stay overnight in the hut, but with the hut often booked out well in advance, you may be left with no choice but to do the hike as a day trip to see Mueller Glacier and other surroundings.
READ THE FULL POST: HIKING THE MUELLER HUT TRACK
5. BREWSTER HUT TRACK
While Brewster Hut gets the primary attention, for obvious reasons, the ability to reach the Brewster Glacier so easy from the hut makes this awesome walk waaaaay better.
The track isn’t so well marked beyond the hut, but there are enough cairns that you should be fine to make it in most conditions (don’t go if it’s wet though).
You can get right u close to the glacier, and if you’re lucky there’s be some overhangs you might like sneaking under (at your own risk).
Add in the glacial lakes, and this is an amazing hike to a glacier that’s still reasonably large.
- Difficulty: Medium – Hard
- Distance: ~11 – 13km return
READ THE FULL POST: HIKING THE BREWSTER HUT TRACK
What’s your favourite glacier hike in NZ? I’m glad that there are so many accessible.
Taking a helicopter to view glaciers just doesn’t give you the same reward, right?
Drop a comment below or email me at jub@churnewzealand.com.
I can’t wait to get more completed.
RECOMMENDED READING
200+ Things to do in New Zealand
If glaciers aren’t your thing…
NZ Travel Tips
Tips for travelling around this epic country
How To Buy a Campervan in NZ
What better way to explore all the glaciers than in your own campervan
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.