Lake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati

Walk the loop clockwise, as most people do. From the car park by the café, cross the swing bridge over Clearwater Stream and follow the wide gravel path through kahikatea and rimu forest to the Jetty Lookout. Continue round the western shore to the far end of the lake and climb the steps to View of Views, then carry on to Reflection Island, where steps drop to a platform over the water. Come back down the eastern side and over the wetland boardwalk to rejoin the outward path to the car park.

It is 4.6 km round with 102 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: a wide, well-formed path; the first part, to the Jetty Lookout, suits wheelchairs.

The reflections are best on a still morning or evening, when Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman show in the dark, tannin-stained water. The lake fills a hollow left as Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tūawe drew back about 14,000 years ago, and long-finned eels live in it; boats are not allowed. Sandflies can be fierce, so bring repellent, and West Coast weather changes fast.

Parking is free. The lake is about 5 km from Fox Glacier/Weheka along Cook Flat Road, five minutes by car, and about 30 minutes from Franz Josef; we found no public transport.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.