Hokitika Gorge in short
The gorge lies inland from the town of Hokitika, north of the glaciers. The walk follows the river through forest to two suspension bridges and a lookout platform. The colour of the water is the main sight, and it can turn grey after heavy rain.
The gorge is not near Franz Josef. Treat it as a separate day, or as a stop on a drive north along the coast. The details below come from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Check the track status before you go.
The walk step by step
Distances and times from DOC.
To the first platform
The first platform is 150 m from the car park, about 4 minutes one way. It is suitable for wheelchairs. This short stretch is the only part to describe as accessible, not the whole loop.
To the lower bridge
From the platform it is another 300 m, about 6 minutes one way, to the lower suspension bridge over the river.
The upper bridge and the loop
The upper bridge is 90 m long. The return over it from the fork is listed as 1.2 km, about 45 minutes one way. DOC gives the whole loop as 1.6 km and 1.5 hours. An older DOC brochure says 2 km and 1 hour, so plan on the longer time.
At the car park
There are toilets, but no drinking water. DOC reports no mobile coverage outside the car park, so download your map first.
Hokitika Gorge and West Coast day trips
Guided day trips and tours along the West Coast, with live prices and availability.
Track status and safety
What has changed in recent years.
DOC reopened the loop in May 2025 after a closure, so older notices that the suspension bridge is shut and the loop cannot be walked are out of date. A storm on 28 October 2025 then caused damage across the region, including at the gorge. That is history, but it shows that conditions change. Check the current DOC track page and any daily warning before you drive out.
DOC advises against swimming in the river, as it is dangerous. After heavy rain the water can run grey, so the colour you see depends on recent weather.
Getting there from the glaciers
A full day trip, not a stop on the way.
DOC gives the drive from Hokitika to the gorge as 30 minutes. A regional guide lists Franz Josef to Hokitika at 1 hour 43 minutes and 135 km. Adding the two gives roughly 2 hours 15 minutes each way without stops. That is a sum of two published times, not a measured drive, so allow extra for fuel and photo stops. Combined with the walk, the trip fills most of a day.
Plan the road with the getting there guide. Trips that start closer to the glaciers are listed on things to do.
| Month in Hokitika | Mean daily high | Mean daily low | Rain per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.5 °C | 12.0 °C | 257 mm |
| April | 16.6 °C | 8.6 °C | 245 mm |
| July | 12.0 °C | 3.1 °C | 228 mm |
| October | 14.9 °C | 7.5 °C | 285 mm |
These are NIWA 1991 to 2020 averages for the town of Hokitika, not for the gorge or the glaciers. They show that rain falls in every month.
Plan the rest of your trip
Nearby stops on the coast.
Okarito and its lagoon
Kayaks, kiwi tours and short walks.
Getting to Franz Josef
Roads, buses and driving times.
Weather and best time
Why the coast is wet.
If you continue south after the West Coast, Milford Sound and Mount Cook have their own guides.
Hokitika Gorge: frequently asked questions
How long is the Hokitika Gorge walk?
DOC lists a 1.6 km loop of about 1.5 hours, easy to moderate. An older brochure gives 2 km and 1 hour, so allow the longer time.
Is the Hokitika Gorge walk wheelchair accessible?
Only the first stretch. The first platform is 150 m from the car park and suits wheelchairs. The rest of the loop does not.
Does it cost anything to visit Hokitika Gorge?
Parking for cars and campervans is free, and you need no reservation for the track.
Can you swim in Hokitika Gorge?
DOC advises against swimming because the river is dangerous. Water can run grey after heavy rain.
How far is Hokitika Gorge from Franz Josef?
Roughly 2 hours 15 minutes each way by adding two published times: 1 hour 43 minutes to Hokitika and about 30 minutes on to the gorge. Plan a full day.