Sentinel Rock Walk
Sentinel Rock Walk
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This short steady climb up a now bush-covered ice-scraped rock offers the most impressive views of the glacier and the Waiho River. Information panels at the viewpoint show dramatic photos of the glacial retreat, making it one of the best places to appreciate the power of the glacier. Sentinel Rock emerged from beneath the glacier in 1865 and is an example of how the glacial ice ground the hard schist bedrock into a Roche moutonnee or ‘rock sheep’. Since 1909 the glacier has retreated over 3 km and plants have progressively colonised where a veneer of rubble has been dumped over bedrock in the valley. Getting there Drive or walk south a short distance from the Franz Josef Waiau township across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau. Drive or walk for approximately 4 km to the car park at the end of the road.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
19
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
sally d
Glencoe, KY68 contributions
Apr 2023
Beautiful once again! Interesting to see how far the glacier has receded. The walk is fairly easy and well kept.
Written 1 May 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.
minycoedpeter
Norley, UK63 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Great short steep walk to a wonderful viewpoint with very informative info boards showing how the glacier has receded over the last 100 years or so. Great if you just want a short stop. The view of the glacier and valley are very good.
Written 16 November 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.
D_MAkl
Auckland, New Zealand5 contributions
Jan 2022
Water dried up and stones only left behind. Glacier is now far away. The sign said it is only 600 meters but looks like it is more than that as the way going there is up the hill.
Written 16 January 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.
A B
Wellington, New Zealand40 contributions
Feb 2021
Well worth the steeper path at the end. Great viewpoint but a shame (and shameful) that the glacier is retreating at such a fast pace. Informative panels at the view point show the retreat over the last 125 years.
Written 20 March 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.
susiebee033@gmail.com
3 contributions
Feb 2021
We went here late in the day and still enjoyed a fab view of the valley and bush surrounding it (glacier was just around the corner).
Written 22 February 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.
Pete Y
Auckland, New Zealand713 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
We started off at the car park, and only took us 20 minutes of walking (some of it was steep) to get to the end of the track. Along the way we saw some impressive high water falls and when you are walking away from the car park you get to see the glacier appear above the trees (see photos). Well worth doing
Written 3 October 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.
Fiona Chan
Singapore, Singapore318 contributions
Feb 2020
Just a short walk from the carpark, this is a fairly easy walk if you're ok with climbing steps. The trail ends with a great view of the glacier and sentinel rock that bears a bit of a sad story. An interesting experience!
Written 15 March 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.
Lunana S.
Singapore, Singapore25 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
It’s a short walk, 20mins from the car park, a little bit steep tho. The view for the whole valley is incredible, could see more than in the end of the 1.5 hours valley walk.
Written 9 June 2019
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.
Debjani K
79 contributions
Mar 2019
The view point up to the glacier is an easy accessible walk. Beautiful view of franz joseph glacier, amazing for pics
Written 9 May 2019
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.
Christine W
Surrey, UK74 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
It's been a bit washed away recently though, although work in being done to mend the path. Fabulous glacier. Lots of waterfalls and rainforest to walk through/past. I'd love to go back.
Written 6 April 2019
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.
kindly advise if arriving late aternoon around 5pm could we still do this walk? Or better in the next morning Thanks
NitroFastHarry
261 contributions
Sentinel walk is pretty close to the carpark, arriving later you will be able to get up and down pretty quick. Although, you are some distance from the toe of glacier so it may be underwhelming.
You do get a good view of the valley in lieu of the glacier.
I suggest doing sentinel walk in the evening and then returning in the morning to get out to the glacier vantage point.
Sarahroseconroy
Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand109 contributions
Is this walk easy and is it 1.5 hours there and back ?
WellTraveled3
Lexington, MA807 contributions
This walk is pretty easy. Not flat but no very steep climbs. Can be done in 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace (each way).
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Claim your listingSENTINEL ROCK WALK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sentinel Rock Walk
- Sentinel Rock Walk is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Sentinel Rock Walk:
- (5.12 km) Aspen Court Franz Josef
- (6.27 km) Holly Homestead Bed & Breakfast
- (4.90 km) Rainforest Retreat
- (8.85 km) Ribbonwood Retreat Bed and Breakfast
- (4.89 km) Te Waonui Forest Retreat
- Restaurants near Sentinel Rock Walk:
- (4.73 km) Alice May
- (4.46 km) BLUE ICE RESTAURANT & BAR
- (4.65 km) Snake Bite Brewery
- (4.91 km) Monsoon Bar & Restaurant
- (4.68 km) The Landing