Lake Matheson / Te Ara Kairaumati Walk: Mirror Lake Near Fox Glacier
Photo: “Lake Matheson 2 MRD 03” by Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail at a glance
- Type
- Day walk
- Region
- West Coast
- Distance
- 4.4 km loop
- Time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Grade
- Easy (part wheelchair accessible)
- Bookings
- Not required
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
Overview
Lake Matheson / Te Ara Kairaumati, near Fox Glacier / Weheka, is famous for its mirror reflections of Aoraki / Mount Cook, Mount Tasman / Te Horokōau and the Southern Alps. Its dark water, stained by organic matter from the forest floor, makes the reflections exceptionally clear on a still day.
A 4.4 km loop (about 1 hr 30 min) circles the lake through ancient West Coast rainforest of kahikatea, rimu and tōtara. The first section is wheelchair accessible.
The walk
| Section | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Car park → Jetty Lookout (wheelchair accessible) | 45 min return | 2.4 km return |
| Full Lake Matheson Circuit | 1 hr 30 min | 4.4 km loop |
- Cross the suspension bridge over Clearwater Stream and follow the gravel path to Jetty Lookout, which has a bench seat.
- Continue to the View of Views lookout at the top of the lake (side track with steps).
- Then go on to Reflection Island, where steps lead down to a viewing platform.
- Return to the car park via the wetland at the eastern end (35 min).
Most people walk clockwise, but you can go either way.
Best time for reflections
Dawn or dusk on a sunny, windless day, when the lake is stillest. The walk gets busy from November to April.
Getting there
From Fox Glacier, follow Cook Flat Road for 5 km, then turn right at the Lake Matheson sign. It's about 5 minutes from Fox Glacier and 30 minutes from Franz Josef. Parking is free, with three mobility spaces.
Facilities
There are toilets, including an accessible toilet, at the car park, and seating and a picnic table along the track. There's no drinking water. Mobile coverage is unreliable. Sandflies can be fierce, so bring repellent. The nearest DOC campsites are Gillespies Beach and Otto / MacDonalds.
Nature and history
The lake formed when Fox Glacier retreated from its last major advance about 14,000 years ago. It's a customary mahinga kai for Ngāi Tahu, and long-finned tuna (eels), a taonga species, are abundant. Look for pūkeko, paradise shelducks and NZ scaup.
Good to know
No dogs, no drones and no boats or kayaks on the lake. No rubbish bins.
Check before you go
Closures, slips, snow and booking changes happen often. Department of Conservation posts current alerts and bookings for the Lake Matheson Walk on its official page.
Current alerts and bookings