A new scenic track for Franz Josef

By Josephine Mead, Partnerships Ranger, Franz Josef.

An exciting project has come to fruition in recent months at the Franz Josef Glacier Village.

The Glacier Country Mountain Bike Club, supported by the Franz Josef Community Council, have been working with DOC to construct a cycle and walking track alongside the Tatare Stream.

A new track alongside Tatare Stream

This track will enable people to exercise or commute more safely by avoiding a long stretch of the State Highway.

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand have also lent some muscle to the project. Their volunteers come from all around the world including the United Kingdom, Switzerland and even some willing students from Taiwan who have come to New Zealand to expand their skill base.

Volunteers getting stuck in

Thanks to the hard work from volunteers, and with fantastic earthworks by local business Franz Hire, Stage One – the first 500 metres – of the track is complete!

Earthworks thanks to Franz Hire

Once fully completed, the cycle and walking track will offer a safe and scenic link between Franz Josef and the subdivisions to the north, as well as a beautiful mountain bike track for locals and visitors.  

There will be more opportunities to get involved as the track grows – contact the Franz Josef Office if you’d like to help with track building or planting.

A big thanks to our volunteers

A big thanks to all those involved for their valuable contribution to this project.