Access

The start of the track is signposted on the opposite side of the road to the Franz Josef Visitor Centre.

Track

The track explores some dense rainforest before climbing to a moraine terrace with avenues of kamahi.

Geology

Moraines are glacially deposited debris, usually in the form of unsorted rock. If a glacial retreat halts for a time, rock debris is built up at the snout in a terminal moraine. At the edges it is known as a lateral moraine.

Flora

Kamahi Weinmannia racemosa is one of New Zealand’s most common trees and grows at all altitudes from the coast to submontane. It is a pioneer species and will colonise bare ground almost exclusively. Its multi-stemmed trunks reach an even height and provide nursery conditions for seedlings of emergent trees, such as podocarps or beeches, to establish. It’s white erect flowers are both beautiful and attractive to honey bees.

In this location the forest has developed since the retreat of the glaciers. As you travel closer the the terminal face of the glaciers, the forest gets younger.