Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Great Walks > Lake Matheson Walk
Lake Matheson Walk
- Location
- Turn right off SH6 at Fox Glacier and travel 5km along the Cook Flat Road where the Lake Matheson turn off is signposted.
- Description
Famous for mirror views of Mounts Aoraki/Cook, Tasman and LaPerous, Lake Matheson is nestled in ancient forest, 5km west of the Fox Glacier township in the Westland Tai Pountini National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
It is a very popular, easy walk through ancient forest, affording reflection views throughout and suitable for wheelchairs as far as the Jetty Viewpoint.
The Clearwater River suspension bridge is just a few minutes from the car park and suitable for wheelchairs.
Easy walking for up to an hour
Track is well formed, with an even surface.
Few or no steps or slopes
Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness
Stream and river crossings are bridged
Walking shoes required(Lake Matheson was formed about 14,000 years ago, when the Fox Glacier retreated from its last major advance towards the sea and left a depression which later filled with water. The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface. The colour is caused by natural leaching of organic matter from the surrounding native forest floor. Long finned native eels thrive in the darkness of Lake Matheson, which is also home to many water birds. For this reason the lake is a traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Maori people.)
- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Level
- Easy
- Amenities
-
- Birds
- Carpark
- Historical
- Picnics
- Plant Life
- Swimming
- Wheelchair Access
- Source
- www.doc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk