Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > West Coast > Franz Josef > Canavan's Knob Walk
Canavan's Knob Walk
- Location
Two kilometres south of Franz Josef turn right onto a signposted gravel road, and drive 100 metres to the start start of the Canavan's Knob Walk.
Alternatively, walk from Franz Josef across the Waiho River Bridge and turn sharp right onto a stop bank. At the end of the stop bank drop down into the river bed and continue on for about 50 metres where you ford a small creek before climbing back up onto the next section of stop bank where you walk for 1 km to the start of the Canavan's Knob Walk
- Description
The Canavan's Knob track takes a 20 minute steady climb through rainforest to glacier and sea coast views. The granite of Canavan's Knob is much older than the schist rocks of the glacier valley across the Alpine Fault Line, therefore survived the scraping of glacier ice 9000 years ago. Deep soils covering the rock support rimu forest and are rich in insect and bird life.
The track climbs up a rocky section lined with ferns, herbs and hooded orchids in summer as well as large kamahi trees and ferns at the start. Herbs and ferns cover the wet forest floor. Tree ferns form the next layer and small trees form a tight canopy while tall rimu and kamahi tower above. Supple-jack vines and saw edged grass like kiekie scramble between the layers.
The first of two viewpoints looks south across farmland down the Waiho River and out to the Tasman Sea. The second viewpoint further up affords a superb view of the Waiho River, the Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps.
Rest areas, toilets and picnic tables are provided at most park road ends, and boat ramps at the main lakes. Five huts in the park cater specifically for mountaineers and ski-tourers, and six backcountry huts cater for walkers.
For track conditions, maps, weather forecasts and more information on the area contact the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre – +64 3 752 0796.
- Duration
- 0.4 hours
- Level
- Medium
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Boat Ramp
- Historical
- Huts
- Lookouts
- Picnics
- Plant Life
- Toilets
- Source
- www.doc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk