Chalet Lookout Track

Chalet Lookout Track

Westland Tai Poutini National Park

17 Rankers Reviews

16 Face-to-Face

12 Fox Glacier

Maps

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Photos

View from the look out

Information

Chalet Lookout Track

Time: 1 hr 30 min return the Chalet Lookout Track leads to a lookout which offers excellent views of the lower icefall of Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe.

The track winds gently up through rata and kamahi forest along an old glacier access road, passing by a huge boulder, called ‘Bivvy Rock’ – typical of the natural shelters used by trampers and climbers.

Ten minutes past Bivvy Rock, the track climbs more steeply up to a moraine dumped by the glacier in 1750 AD and continues on to the unbridged Mills Creeks. Watch for the marker across the creek where the track re-enters the forest. As you come to the end of the track, a clearing marks the site of the historic Chalet Hut, a luncheon hut used during the early days of glacier walks.

Fording the streams on this trail can be dangerous during and after heavy rain – take care, and turn back if you are unsure. The track may be closed during periods of heavy rain and flooding.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC West Coast

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandWest CoastFox Glacier

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-43.4900269053565

170.0310411144

Latitude
-43.4900269053565
Longitude
170.0310411144

Nearby

Reviews

    • Good length.
    • Great view!
    • Fantastic walk!
    • Some closed tracks!
    • Fantastic view to a Glacier nearby.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 3
    18%
    9/10 2
    12%
    8/10 6
    35%
    7/10 2
    12%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 3
    18%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 1
    6%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.5/5

    A moderate walk through luscious rainforest to see a stunning view of Fox Glacier without the crowds.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Short (one hour return) walk to a nice spot to view the glacier.

    Most parts of the glacier are covered in dark gravel and sand. Still some ice can be seen. Enjoy it before it is gone.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 2.5/5

    Some closed tracks!

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014

  • 2.5/5

    Nice campsite with good people.

    One of the owners was not very nice. The kitchen was not really tidy everyday.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Fantastic view to a Glacier nearby.

    Very interesting facts about Glaciers.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 3.5/5

    Easy and quick walk to the lookout over the glacier, must see!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Hilly walk, not too hard with perfect view of the glacier.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 5.0/5

    A great walk through bush, steep in places, river crossings, be careful as not crossable after heavy rain.

    View at the end, well worth it - beautiful!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Nice view and good information panels along the track.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.0/5

    Good length.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 3.5/5

    From the two view points Fox Glacier is worth the walk even if you don't walk on it.

    Very impressive.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    A great view of the glacier and the walk is through beautiful rainforest.

    Uphill almost the whole way though so it is a commitment.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

  • 4.5/5

    A moderate walk through luscious rainforest to see a stunning view of Fox Glacier without the crowds.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Short (one hour return) walk to a nice spot to view the glacier.

    Most parts of the glacier are covered in dark gravel and sand. Still some ice can be seen. Enjoy it before it is gone.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 2.5/5

    Some closed tracks!

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014

  • 2.5/5

    Nice campsite with good people.

    One of the owners was not very nice. The kitchen was not really tidy everyday.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 2.5/5

    If you are a glacier lover or if you have never seen ice, this is for you but for ice and snow accustomed europeans, the glacier, at least in summer, feels dirty and less impressive than expected.

    The walk there is dusty and somewhat boring.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 1.5/5

    We visited Fox Glacier in the summer and were not (ignorantly so) expecting to see the glacier covered in rubble.

    The walk was not very clear (many turned around), and the end was a very steep walk up a hill. You were rewarded with a clear view of the glacier though.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Fantastic view to a Glacier nearby.

    Very interesting facts about Glaciers.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 3.5/5

    Easy and quick walk to the lookout over the glacier, must see!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Hilly walk, not too hard with perfect view of the glacier.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 5.0/5

    A great walk through bush, steep in places, river crossings, be careful as not crossable after heavy rain.

    View at the end, well worth it - beautiful!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Nice view and good information panels along the track.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.0/5

    Good length.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 3.5/5

    From the two view points Fox Glacier is worth the walk even if you don't walk on it.

    Very impressive.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    A great view of the glacier and the walk is through beautiful rainforest.

    Uphill almost the whole way though so it is a commitment.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Great view!

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

  • 4.0/5

    beautul walk through rainforest with great views of the glacier

    Reviewed over 11 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic walk!

    Reviewed over 11 years ago