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Home >> Hot Pools >> Welcome Flat Hot Pools
 Welcome Flat Hot Pools
West Coast Region
Copland River, Westland National Park
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Description Four pools of varying temperatures dug from a mud fan. Welcome Flat Hot Pools have one of the best views in the country, being settled in a valley surrounded by snow capped peaks and native forest. Best after the sandflies go to sleep. In November you can sit in the pools and watch avalanches cascading down the opposite face.The pools are a couple of minutes walk from the DoC hut and campsite (tickets should be purchased from info centres before heading to the hut). Even closer is a rock bivvy where camping is also possible. The bivvy is considered a campsite and DoC charges apply. [Sam Buchanan, Wellington]
You can't drive to it. The nearest road is approximately seven hours walk away. Turn off the main West Coast road about 20km south of Fox Glacier at the Copland Track sign, the carpark is about 200m from the main road. Follow the track markers up the valley. The track can be difficult and dangerous in bad weather - people have drowned trying to cross flooded streams. On a good day it's not too bad, but still quite a hike. Don't attempt it without good clothing and extra food should you get trapped by heavy rain. Weather forecasts aren't to be relied on. [Sam Buchanan, ]
Interactive Map
Map showing location of Welcome Flat Hot Pools.
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16 Bather Reviews Write Your Review Now
- Amazing pools, very natural and the scenery is fantastic. Loved the slime at the bottom of pools. Worth the tramp and staying a few days, we only stayed one night which was a shame, cant wait to go back. Best during off season when surrounded by snow and not crowded pool.
Natalie - New Zealand
Rating: 10/10 4th November 2009
- Went in 1979; fantastic spot, avalanches cascading while soaking in hot pools. The walk was challenging but stunning; have thought of our time there on many occasions. Would love to go back , but maybe it shatter the memory. We were only 3 there for many days as weather prevented us from hiking out. I can still remember the freezing cold stream we had to crisscross. But it was great.
linda Warner Smith - canada/uk
Rating: 10/10 27th September 2009
- one pool is deeper than the others and less slimy. Other pools are muddy and slimy but views are great. This place gets very busy, I managed to have the place to myself courtesy of a severe weather warning which never amounted to anything. The walk is long and rough is places so be prepared.
mark
12th June 2009
- Grubby and slimy. Lovely surroundings but the pool is overcrowded and dirty. However, my friends all liked it.
Mary - New Zealand
Rating: 3/10 25th May 2009
- It was Magnificant loved every min of it
Shona - Rakaia
Rating: 10/10 26th August 2008
- Hiked in with the University Tramping club Easter 1985 (I think). Had a wonderful night in the pools. Suffered the next day though as being University aged we had a bit of alcohol with us & I didn't drink any water with it. I was very dehydrated. So beware of mixing alcohol with Hot pooling.
Rob - Dunedin
Rating: 10/10 23rd May 2008
- amazing, after a long walk amoungst prehistoric scenery you going to feel like a nice hot bath, and what do you get? the greatist bath in the world amoungst snowy mountain peaks and lush rainforest. 10/10.
hamish currie - taranaki NZ
Rating: 10/10 3rd April 2008
- It is a long, but very beautiful walk in. Fantastic views from the pools. I was there in Sept 1985 aad have allways wanted to go back for a few days.
Trev - Shepparton Australia
Rating: 10/10 18th January 2008
- The best pool in the South Island.
Helen Simonsen - NZ
Rating: 10/10 12th December 2007
- Visited these pools when I was visiting back in the mid 90's. Stunning scenery and ell worth the very long, but utterly gorgeous, walk. Beware the sandflies!
Cass - Australia
Rating: 9/10 21st August 2007
- awesome...worth the walk, even in winter for all 9 kids and 6 adults.
Cured all our aches and pains of walking up soaking in those pools.
Daniel (aged 11yrs) - nelson, NZ
Rating: 10/10 30th July 2007
- I first used the pools in winter 1967 after getting lost walking up the river. I was exhausted and very sore but after an hour in a very hot pool I was fully restored. I tried to get there again in 1982 but a big flood prevented me but I hold out hope of returning some day.
Jeff Cutting - Canberra - Australia
24th May 2007
- had a great time up there, spent over 36 hours in the pools over the 2 days we were there.....and hiked the whole way out naked as it was naked hiking day, or so our new zealand friend told us. but a beautiful hike with amazing scenery. highly recommended if you can handle the walk in!!!!
emerson - boseman/montana
Rating: 10/10 15th March 2006
- anonymous - Wellington, NZ
Rating: 10/10 11th February 2006
- Absolutely amazing hotpools. The walk in is amazing, only to be surpassed by the hotpools themselves.
One of my favourite places in NZ.
Isaac - Newman, WA, Australia
Rating: 10/10 3rd January 2006
- The walk in is a bit of a long hike but well worth it when you get to soak in the pool and the surroundings. Each pool is a slightly different temperature and it is possible to sit with a small stream running onto your back. Wish it was easier to get to as would be there a lot more.
Carrie - Christchurch
Rating: 8/10 6th December 2005
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