Welcome to the ultimate guide for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike! If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand’s South Island, then the Hooker Valley Track is an absolute must-visit. Nestled in the heart of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, this hidden gem offers a captivating journey through rugged landscapes, towering mountains, and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just starting your outdoor exploration, the Hooker Valley Track has something for everyone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to plan your adventure, including tips on when to visit, what to pack, and the stunning sights you can expect along the way. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable experience as we take you through the wonders of the Hooker Valley Track.

About this Mount Cook Track; Hooker Valey

Distance: 10km return
Walking time: 3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy

Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular walking tracks in the Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park. Having only 124 metres change in elevation it’s an easy hike if you don’t mind being on your feet for a couple of hours.

This particular track in Mt Cook National Park is great for anyone with an average fitness level and it is suitable for families as it’s a relatively flat path with only a few stairs. The predominately gravel path winds through an open valley between several ridges within the Southern Alps. Giving you glimpses at previous avalanches and the jagged landscape of the Alps. The three swing bridges which stretch across the Hooker River are the closest you will get to being near any significant heights.

Hooker Valley Track is designed to avoid any risk of avalanches, so stick to the path and you shouldn’t get crushed by tumbling snow or rocks, but keep your ears open as you may hear a few on the nearby mountains! The surrounding landscape is built up on schist, low lying vegetation and plenty of large boulders which tumbled down from the mountains above.

The beginning of Hooker Valley track allows for a slight detour to the memorial site for passed Mountaineers. Each plaque is dedicated to a life lost on one of the surrounding mountains, with many who still haven’t made it home. The track ends at Hooker lake with a fantastic view of Mt Cook, with snow covering the peak all year round. In winter the lake freezes over, but if you head there before the temperatures drop you can wade your ankles in the freezing lake.

Getting To Hooker Valley Track

We stayed in Twizel for two nights which is the nearest town to Mt Cook National Park, sitting 56km away. The next closest town is Tekapo, otherwise there are several holiday parks and hostels dotted along state highway 80 and within Mt Cook village. SH80 is popular for stopping along the side of the road and grabbing pictures of the southern alps right ahead, just watch out for tourists posing on the centre line.

Driving – Hiring a vehicle is the simplest way to get around. Take State Highway 80 which will take you to Mt Cook Village. From here follow Hooker Valley Rd to the car park for the track. From here you also have access to Kea Point lookout, Sealy Tarns Track and Mueller Hut Route.

Bus / Shuttle – Intercity operates a shuttle from Tekapo to Mt Cook Village daily. Check their website for further details.

There are hundreds of photo opportunities along the way so don’t forget to bring your camera. Click here to view my Mt Cook gallery for a virtual taste or inspiration for your next trip to the Southern Alps.

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About Mt Cook and Mt Cook National Park

Aoraki was given it’s English name in 1851 to honour Captain James Cook who circumnavigated Aotearoa in the late 1700’s. In 1998 Mt Cook was officially recognised in Aotearoa by its original name, Aoraki. Officially renaming the mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook.

Aoraki is New Zealand’s tallest mountain with an elevation of 3,724m, and is also New Zealand’s deadliest peak. Around 80 people have died attempting to climb Aoraki since the 20^th century. Sitting in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s’ South Island; helping form the Southern Alps. Aoraki’s location forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site with two other national parks in Canterbury.

Mt Cook National Park covers 721.6 squared kilometres in New Zealands South Island. With 19 peaks that reach over 3,000 metres high, multiple glaciers and several walking and hiking tracks, Mt Cook National Park is popular with tourists and locals all year around, attracting nature enthusiasts and professional mountain climbers.

There are 10 walking and hiking tracks in Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park; ranging from under an hour to several day hikes. For all information regarding activities and updated mountain info visit DOCs website here.

Best Time to Visit Hooker Valley Track

Mt Cook is most beautiful during winter, when the rugged landscape is draped in a thick layer of snow and the mountains have a fresh sprinkling of snow every morning. However as someone who isn’t an extreme hiker and is only prepared for slight inconveniences in weather, the best time to Visit Hooker Valley track is during spring. This is when the days are longer and the sun is warmer.

We packed a bag of water and snacks and a smaller bag for first aid supplies, and covered up with a layer of thermals and a weather resistant jacket incase we found ourselves in a freak weather event. We set off just after lunch which gave us enough time for a leisurely walk to Hooker Valley Lake and time for a break to take in the beautiful surroundings of Mt Cook.

Planning your Hike at Mt Cook

The Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park experiences rapid changes in weather, and it is common to experience unexpected strong winds, rain and snowfall throughout anytime of the year. Hooker valley track is very exposed so there is very little, if any, natural shade or protection from the elements. Always stay up to date with the weather forecasts, and packing appropriately will not only ensure a more pleasurable experience but could also save your life.

Hooker Valley is probably the only track around Mt Cook that has a very small avalanche risk, so if you choose to do any of the many other amazing hikes around the National Park please take this into consideration and pack appropriate safety gear should you get caught by an avalanche.

Cell phone reception is available for majority of the walk. But you should always tell a friend or family member where you are going and approximately how long it will take for you to return. Before our trip to the South Island I purchased a set of Torpedo7 thermals, Torpedo7 hiking boots and various other little safety accessories.

An emergency blanket is probably not necessary if you take all other precautions by checking the weather and going with friends, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Simple aluminium emergency blankets can be purchased from any outdoor or camping stores for a cheap price. Torpedo7 stock these for $8.99 and are small enough to slide in your back pocket.

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Hooker Valley Track is a fantastic entry level walk for anyone who wants an alpine adventure but none of the hard work. It’s a fantastic day trip for family or friends and can be completed all year round as long as you have the correct gear. The baby blue water creates a stark contrast to the white and grey snow capped mountains and ridges around you, so make sure you take a camera to add some art to your walls back at home!

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Heading back to Queenstown after Hooker Valley? Check out my post of 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Queenstown

Tips for a Great Hike at Hooker Valley

Hooker Valley Track Accommodation

If you’re wanting to hit Hooker Valley Track early in the morning, or you don’t want to drive an exhausting distance before your hike, Highlands Farmstay in Twizel is the perfect place to stay for a night or two if you’re exploring Mt Cook National Park. There are several accommodation options on a large piece of farm land accompanied by llamas, sheep, chickens and Highland cattle. We stayed in the single bedroom cabin which was perfect for the two of us for two nights.

We woke up to a thick frost covering the paddocks and the chickens were waiting on our doorstep each morning wanting to be fed. It was a beautiful place to stay and will definitely be my first port of call if we end up staying in Twizel again.

And If the Weather Turns to Sh*t

You can’t control the weather, but you can control your contingency plan. Tekapo which is just over an hours drive north of Twizel has some great sights to see if the weather is too bad to be able to hike the Hooker Valley Track safely. Tekapo hot springs is extremely popular all year around, during autumn you can bathe in a hot pool overlooking the lake and gazing at the changing colours of the trees covering the rolling hills. Or you can go check out the Church of the Good Shepherd which is popular among photographers; it sits on it’s own surrounded by the natural beauty of Tekapo; keep an eye on social media and google if you’re googling for things to do in Tekapo because the Church of the Good Shepher is sure to pop up on your screen.