1 Hour 2.7km (return)

Highlights

  • Blue Lakes
  • New Zealand's longest glacier
  • Mountain views

Proximity

GRADE: EASY

This walk includes rock steps and a height gain of 100m.

Discover New Zealand's longest glacier with this walk that takes in alpine-fed lakes and glacier-moulded landscapes.

At around 27 km long, the Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand and a relatively recent addition, having started its formation in 1974.

For a good view of the glacier, follow the path from the carpark as it meanders up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on the moraine wall. From there, you can see across the valley taking in the glacier, terminal lake and surrounding mountains.

A further track branches off this track to go to the source of the Tasman River. Icebergs can usually be seen floating in the lake in summer, and in winter, the lake freezes over. The track leads through the old terminal moraines of the glacier, and you can see good examples of plant succession along the route.

Department of Conservation

Click the link below for more information and detailed maps about this walk.

Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks(opens in new window)

More information

Alternative Routes

  • Tasman Glacier Lake (1 hour return)
  • Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View (40 mins return)

 

Getting there

  • From SH80 turn onto Tasman Valley Road before Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.
  • The track begins near the carpark at the end of the road.

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