Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
4.5
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4.5
280 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
102
Average
32
Poor
6
Terrible
0
santo t
Auckland, New Zealand7,465 contributions
Dec 2019
It was good but not too spectacular, just average because what people want to see mainly is the glacier, while the glacier is already retracted so far and difficult to see from the look put point, so do not delay if you still want to see even from distance. Also the 20 minutes track to reach the lookout is involving a lot of steps which could be not suitable for handicapped persons. Anyway, at least you can see a big lake as the result of the melting ice, Tasman Lake, before it flows to the lower land away toward Lake Pukaki. The car parking area as starting point for walk is approx 2 km from Mt Cook Information Centre.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FyingKiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand1,132 contributions
Jan 2021
If this were a fitness track for training mountain runners (which for at least one person appeared to tbe the case), then this track would be given an excellent rating. However, for the average visitor (like myself), who simply climbed the 300+ steps with an anticipation to see a beautiful lake containing icebergs (which is what all the literature provided indicates), then they are likely to meet with exhaustive disappointment. When you do reach the top. you see a large, not particularly attractive lake, with the face of the Tasman Glacier barely discernible a great distance away, and NO ice bergs.
The climb may have been more endurable if there was more scenery, but essentially bareness was more the key feature.
A forget it experience.
The climb may have been more endurable if there was more scenery, but essentially bareness was more the key feature.
A forget it experience.
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antony
Wellington, New Zealand11 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Lovely walk down to the lakeside, even though the wind and rain were coming to play. Beautiful scenery, fairly flat all the way though you will need to scramble over rocks a bit if you want to get right down to the waters edge. Couple of icebergs to see on the lake really close which was great to see. Recommend having a chat with the team in the i-site in Mt Cook Village to check which walks are best considering the weather conditions.
Written December 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry
2 contributions
Jan 2022
The walk has approximately 100 stairs up to see the Tasman Glacier. From that top point, you can see the Blue Lakes. You wont need to detour to the Blue Lakes. We went at the end of Jan 2022, summer and dry. So the lakes (or large puddles) were greenish from rainwater and algae...slightly slimy. Not your stereotypical beauty, as compared to the other walks.
The view of the Tasman Glacier was impressive for the wrong reasons. From the information board, you can see how much of the glacier has melted in the last 30 years. That really made me sad to know that this amazing view will no longer be around in my lifetime, knowing that my young son will not be able to see any of the glacier from this walk when he is a teenager.
This walk is worth seeing the sad effects of climate change, the consequences of our slow action to improve the environment. Indirectly, the impacts of our consumerism (I am guilty of that too!).
The view around the glacier is impressive, as impressive as the other mountains in the area. It's a fairly exposed walk so if it's windy, pack a windbreaker. I wore comfortable sports shoes and that was sufficient.
The view of the Tasman Glacier was impressive for the wrong reasons. From the information board, you can see how much of the glacier has melted in the last 30 years. That really made me sad to know that this amazing view will no longer be around in my lifetime, knowing that my young son will not be able to see any of the glacier from this walk when he is a teenager.
This walk is worth seeing the sad effects of climate change, the consequences of our slow action to improve the environment. Indirectly, the impacts of our consumerism (I am guilty of that too!).
The view around the glacier is impressive, as impressive as the other mountains in the area. It's a fairly exposed walk so if it's windy, pack a windbreaker. I wore comfortable sports shoes and that was sufficient.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie A
Rotorua, New Zealand284 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We drove to the carpark not really planning to walk to the lake as it was raining. However the rain stopped when we got there so decided to make the short walk to the Tasman Glacier Lake. You can also take the track to the Blue Lakes but we decided to give it a miss as you can see it from the track to the Tasman lake.The track is a short climb up but when you get to the top it's worth it for the views even on a gloomy day.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kelly
10 contributions
Jan 2023
Absolutely stunning scenery in summer and in winter, We have walked to the lake twice with our kids. It is pushchair friendly but you need a pushchair with good off road wheels. My kids happily played at the edge of the lake throwing rocks into the water. In winter the whole lake is frozen over
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand906 contributions
Nov 2022
The blurb said a "few stairs", definitely more than a few, but take your time and enjoy the view. Definitely need decent shoes on and watch small kids closely. The view at the top is lovely looking at the glacier and lake with icebergs in it. The view off to the side you can see 3 lakes. We have a lot of fun getting to all three. Lots of climbing over rocks to get to the blue lake, but was so worth it. Nice spot.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
squidboy72
1 contribution
Dec 2019 • Family
Absolutely fantastic walk. Was a sunny day with some fresh snow on Aoraki and surrounding peaks, even our teenagers loved it. It gets quite crowded on a nice day so best to go early to get a park.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarionK625
Wellington, New Zealand37 contributions
Sep 2020
we did this trip last weekend and we were not disappointed , it was a great experiemce. the guide was fun but orfessional and enhanced the trip..
Gentle walk to lake and safety precautions enforced.
Fantastic views and stunning scenery, well worth doing. A great experience
Cost also was reasonable as reduced with Covid
Gentle walk to lake and safety precautions enforced.
Fantastic views and stunning scenery, well worth doing. A great experience
Cost also was reasonable as reduced with Covid
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamin Travels
Birmingham14 contributions
Feb 2020
The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is a stunning place to drive and walk around. There are beautiful blue and turquoise lakes all around, with lots of impressive dams. The mountain ranges are as far as the eye can see. There is also Tasman Glacier that you can walk to up a hill, that has great views. This glacier is different to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, so it is well worth the trip. Yet another amazing place to visit in NZ for free.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Depends how long you spend admiring the view at the top but about 20 minutes up and then 15 back down.
Written September 9, 2019
Just wondering whether we can do this walk with kids? Have got 1 year and 3 year old.
Written May 29, 2018
There are lots of steps so you would probably have to carry the 1 year old.
Written June 1, 2018
Hello! I will be visiting Mt Cook village in December during Christmas and I want to do the Tasman glacier walk and kea point walk. Do I need to book for doing the walks even if I am doing it alone ( without a guide or group)?
Written October 25, 2017
Hi no you will not need a guide just plenty of water and some snacks . It’s a fabulous place and I hope you get a good view
Written November 20, 2017
Hello, we are planning on a quick trip coming from Lake Tekapo. Looking at forecast it is going to be snowing and raining. Does that mean we need to get chain for the car we hire? or road is usually clear? Thx
Written October 6, 2017
A small error in my statement its distance & time taken
Written May 29, 2017
Hi Everyone
Can someone tell me what is the distance 7 time taken for this trail --one way or return
Written May 29, 2017
It's 40 minutes return to Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View and 1 hour return to Tasman Glacier Lake. The Department of Conservation website has more information.
Written June 5, 2017
Is it a sealed road to the carpark? Would I be able to drive my campervan?
Written October 4, 2016
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