Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Lakeside
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.9%
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0:45
Slow
0:30
Moderate
0:20
Fast
Leaving the car park you head out on a well formed track toward the lake. Approx 700m from the track start you get to choose whether you wish to go clockwise or anti-clockwise around the lake ... this guide goes anti-clockwise.
It's a wide and easy undulating track with a couple of excellent view points of the mirror lake that invite you to stop and soak in the magic and take a few photos of the reflections. There's a couple of boardwalks and a few easy steps to climb up and down along the way. When you get back to the turnoff point and you haven't had enough you can head around again for a lap or two more or head back to the car the way you came.
When you're done have bite to eat at the cafe before heading back to Fox Glacier. I great wee run that the family can walk as well.
Lake Matheson was created about 14,000 years ago during glacial times when Fox Glacier retreated and the ice melted leaving a lake. Magnificent reflections of Mt Tasman and Mt Cook can be had on a good day.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Plenty of safe parking.
5 km
5 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Non-existent.
Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone
No water on the loop.
Cold in winter.
Lake Matheson Cafe
Lake Matheson
Convenient - Yummy food - Great service
Neve Cafe
Fox Glacier Township
Great food and service
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Lake Matheson Meander
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Beautiful track and nice to stretch the legs on a long journey north. I was planning on going up the new Gault Lake track but it was pretty wet today, next time!
January 18, 2021
Beautiful setting but windy during a late afternoon run so no mirror views to be seen today.
December 22, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.