A WALK THROUGH LUSH RAINFOREST TO SEE THE GLACIER
07 MAY 2023
Which Path Will You Choose?
The Sentinel Rock Walk is a scenic walk through the lush rainforest in Franz Josef, New Zealand. If you're familiar with the West Coast then you'll know that it has the most rain out of any other area in New Zealand, so it's no wonder everywhere we looked there was life thriving. Seriously, green things were growing on brown things and brown things were growing on green things. It reminded us of the Goblin Forest we walked through to get to the Dawson Falls in Taranaki and it's typical of the West Coast because of all the rain.
We really enjoyed the walk as there was so much to discover - from little red berries to little streams and weird new green things we hadn't seen before. The track is fairly easy and there are a few small hills but nothing difficult!
After doing the Franz Josef Glacier Walk that same morning, we decided to do the Sentinel Rock Walk as well because the trailheads are within 10 or so metres of each other (as is the Peter's Pool trail head but that's another blog) and why not! It's way less populated than the Franz Josef Glacier Walk and I reckon a little more interesting if you're into taking a closer look at the nature around you like we are. Both tracks are really short so if you're on a time restraint, which path would you take?
It was a pretty cold morning when we went in April so we were rugged up with beanies, puffer jackets and scarves, brrr. The track took us around 10-minutes to reach the lookout and what a lookout it was! There is a well-maintained wooden platform to stand on while you soak in the views of the Southern Alps, the braided (and I'm sure absolutely freezing) Waiho river and the main man - Franz Josef Glacier in the distance. It has shrunk a lot over the years so it's a small wee thing to look at (from the lookout anyway) so a zoom lense will help you see it easier!
I have read reviews online in the past where people recommend that people avoid these walks as it's a waste of time. Everyone's perspective of what is time worthy and what isn't, is so different. Enjoying these incredible areas isn't just about seeing the glacier, it's about spending time in the lush rainforests and discovering things along the way. Even if the glacier wasn't there, it would still be an absolutely stunning view!
We spent a bit of time at the platform enjoying the view, eating some snacks and breathing in that crisp mountain air (obvs, or we'd be dead). It was an overcast day when we visited and we were lucky to see the glacier as the clouds were hanging just above it - phew!
We really enjoyed the walk as there was so much to discover - from little red berries to little streams and weird new green things we hadn't seen before. The track is fairly easy and there are a few small hills but nothing difficult!
After doing the Franz Josef Glacier Walk that same morning, we decided to do the Sentinel Rock Walk as well because the trailheads are within 10 or so metres of each other (as is the Peter's Pool trail head but that's another blog) and why not! It's way less populated than the Franz Josef Glacier Walk and I reckon a little more interesting if you're into taking a closer look at the nature around you like we are. Both tracks are really short so if you're on a time restraint, which path would you take?
It was a pretty cold morning when we went in April so we were rugged up with beanies, puffer jackets and scarves, brrr. The track took us around 10-minutes to reach the lookout and what a lookout it was! There is a well-maintained wooden platform to stand on while you soak in the views of the Southern Alps, the braided (and I'm sure absolutely freezing) Waiho river and the main man - Franz Josef Glacier in the distance. It has shrunk a lot over the years so it's a small wee thing to look at (from the lookout anyway) so a zoom lense will help you see it easier!
I have read reviews online in the past where people recommend that people avoid these walks as it's a waste of time. Everyone's perspective of what is time worthy and what isn't, is so different. Enjoying these incredible areas isn't just about seeing the glacier, it's about spending time in the lush rainforests and discovering things along the way. Even if the glacier wasn't there, it would still be an absolutely stunning view!
We spent a bit of time at the platform enjoying the view, eating some snacks and breathing in that crisp mountain air (obvs, or we'd be dead). It was an overcast day when we visited and we were lucky to see the glacier as the clouds were hanging just above it - phew!
Know Before You Go
- The track takes around 20 - 30 minutes return
- After lots of rain the track could become slippery in some parts
- You won't get much of a view on a really rainy day so it's worth doing on a fine day or partly cloudy day
- Kids will find this track interesting if you take the time to see what fascinating things they can find along the track
- There are toilets at the start of the track
Mappy McMap Face
How To Get To The Sentinel Rock Walk In Franz Josef
The Sentinel Rock Walk is a 9-minute drive from Franz Josef town. From State Highway 6 in the main stretch of the town, head south over the Waiho Bailey Bridge (it's one-way) then turn left onto Franz Josef Glacier - yes this is the name of the road you don't aaactually drive onto a glacier (although how fun would that be...wheeeee). Keep going until you get to the carpark (it's a dead-end road).
Lots of tourists do walk from the town and there is a designated walking tracks for foot traffic so you don't have to walk on the road once you get onto Franz Josef Glacier (again, the road).
The trailhead for the Sentinal Rock Walk is right beside the carpark and is well signposted.
Lots of tourists do walk from the town and there is a designated walking tracks for foot traffic so you don't have to walk on the road once you get onto Franz Josef Glacier (again, the road).
The trailhead for the Sentinal Rock Walk is right beside the carpark and is well signposted.
Conclusion
The Sentinel Rock Walk is a 20 - 30 minute return track to see the Franz Josef Glacier in all its glory (just remember to bring a zoom lense!). We prefer the Sentinel Rock Walk over the Franz Josef Glacier Walk as it's less crowded, more discoveries to make and honestly the views at the end are better with loads of lush rainforest in sight!
Check out the other amazing tracks nearby that we HIGHLY recommend:
- Peters Pool (STUNNING lake reflections on a still day)
- Franz Josef Glacier Walk (there's even a waterfall which turned into a rainbow once for us!)
- Lake Matheson Track (it's 30-minutes away in Fox Glacier but SO WORTH DOING)
And check out our time in Franz Josef and everything that we recommend doing with kids - What to do in Franz Josef with kids.
Check out the other amazing tracks nearby that we HIGHLY recommend:
- Peters Pool (STUNNING lake reflections on a still day)
- Franz Josef Glacier Walk (there's even a waterfall which turned into a rainbow once for us!)
- Lake Matheson Track (it's 30-minutes away in Fox Glacier but SO WORTH DOING)
And check out our time in Franz Josef and everything that we recommend doing with kids - What to do in Franz Josef with kids.
Gallery of the Sentinel Rock Walk
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
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