Hiking the Hooker Valley Track in Mt. Cook National Park

Glacier lakes, check. Floating icebergs, check. Swinging bridges, check. Sacred valley, check.

There are times you look at a view and you can hardly believe your eyes. Well, that’s exactly the case with Hooker Valley.

Who is it for?

Hooker Valley Track is ideal for those who don’t have enough time to explore Mount Cook National Park and are looking for an easy hike with spectacular views.

Besides, who would miss the opportunity to see ancient glaciers, have fun bouncing on swing bridges and catch some real icebergs?

In this travel story you will:

• read an overview of the track
• get important before-you-go tips
• view incredible photos of Hooker Valley

What you can see in Hooker Valley

Hooker Valley Track is one of the most scenic yet easy half-day hikes in New Zealand.

Here are some highlights of the tramp:

• Glaciers and glacier lakes with floating icebergs
• Suspension bridges (yes, you can bounce on them)
• Amazing views over Aoraki/ Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps
• Alpine valleys with tussock vegetation
• Moraine ridges (material left behind by retreating glaciers)
• Endangered species and endemic wildflowers

Overview of Hooker Valley Track

Helpful info

Even if the hike is relatively easy without any technical difficulties or obvious hazards, there are certain things you need to know before heading outdoors.

Hooker Valley Track at a glance

How difficult is the hike?

Hooker Valley Track is more of a walk than a hike. Therefore, it’s easy to complete for people of all ages and reasonable fitness levels.

Additionally, it is well-maintained & easy to follow, a mixture of flat boardwalks & gravel paths. At some points, the trail has a few stepped mild inclines, with a total change in elevation of just 124 metres. Estimate a 10km round trip between 3 to 4 hours, including photo-stops and admiring the views.

New Zealand’s DoC describes it as a gentle walk for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. The track is clearly signposted, streams & river crossings are bridged and track markers (orange triangles) are available.

Do you need special equipment?

Technically, no. However, most of the tramps in New Zealand, no matter how easy or technically hard they are, are within alpine environments. That means that weather conditions can change without any warning and you can experience strong wind, high rainfall, dense fog, drops in temperature etc.

Avoiding the crowds

Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular half-day walks in New Zealand, so expect company. Both early mornings & late evenings are ideal to enjoy the views. In addition, they offer better light for photographs. The peak time is from 09:00 in the morning to 17:00 in the afternoon.

Keep an eye for…

Along the route, you will see the largest species of buttercup, an endemic wildflower species called Mount Cook lily.

Make sure to watch out for the “clown of the mountains”, the endangered Kea, the only alpine parrot in the world. Their notorious urge to explore, destroy and manipulate made the bird famous among residents & tourists.

Starting the Hooker Valley Track

The beginning of the hike is at White Horse Hill Campsite next to the car park. For the most part of the tramp, you will be walking along the rumbling Hooker River. The trail starts out pretty flat between open grassland.

Conquering Mt. Cook in a Victorian dress

Near the start of the track, on your left, there is a short trail leading to a boulder known as Freda’s Rock. Emmeline Freda Du Faur was photographed here, in December 1910 after being the first woman to climb Mount Cook.

The self-taught mountaineer challenged the social norms of the time by climbing in long Victorian dresses, which was standard clothing for women while wearing her leggings and hob-nailed boots underneath.

Long-gone but never forgotten

Next, is the Alpine Memorial, honouring all explorers that never made it home. At first, the memorial was dedicated to three climbers who died in an avalanche, back in 1914. However, numerous other plaques were added for all those who perished in the Southern Alps.

Reading the sign, I kept wondering whether reaching the summit really outweighs all the potential risks. What’s so captivating about Aoraki that makes alpinists risk their lives to summit it?

There are more remembrances, quotes, names and stories about all those now long-gone. One of them read “I am not gone – I am in these mountains, I am in the stars, I am all around you, always near, never far”.

Mueller Lake & the Guardian of Aoraki

Next, is Mueller Lookout – the view of Mt. Sefton towering at 3.151 metres above the proglacial Mueller Lake can easily take your breath away. “The Mountain of Gods” (called Maukatua in Māori), watchfully stands guard over Aoraki.

Ground sediments suspended by neighbouring glaciers have transformed the colour Mueller Lake to a milky blue-grey – making it rather unusual.

Moreover, colossal moraines surround the lake – chunks of rock, soil and debris left behind by the retreating glacier with some of them reaching up to 100 m.

All that, along with the surrounding snowy mountains turn the landscape into a dramatic work of art.

Take a moment to remain silent and you’ll hear the rocks & snow tumbling down from the mountains. “This is the sound of change”, a local guide said. “There are signs of change all around you – the glaciers are retreating and the mountains are being torn down by water & ice”, he added.

It is incredible that almost a hundred years ago Mueller Glacier filled the valley floor. Therefore, you would have been able to walk right into it from this position. Today, it is all but hidden up the valley.

Turn your back to Mt. Sefton and indulge in the extraordinary scenery of the valley to the south – Lake Pukaki with its vibrant blue waters can be clearly seen at some distance.

Bouncing over Hooker River – the suspension bridges

Hooker Valley Track is famous for its iconic swinging bridges and bouncing your way through them adds to the experience.

Right after Mueller Lookout is the first swinging bridge of the hike, the Lower Hooker Suspension Bridge. The bridge looks so small & insignificant below the surrounding mountains.

Up close, the bridge didn’t look scary or dangerous. Ηowever, a sign reminded visitors to make sure that no more than 20 people should use it at a time.

While crossing the bridge I could feel the roaring Hooker River rushing underneath on its way to Lake Pukaki down the valley.

Make sure to look down at the powerful, milky-coloured river. The bridge’s height and the occasional bouncing got me a bit dizzy; however, I took a big pause in the middle of the bridge. The rushing river below was hypnotizing to watch and the view was simply mesmerizing.

The trail then skirts further into the valley with great looks of Mueller Lake on your left.

Next, it’s the second suspension bridge, Hooker Bluff Bridge. This is a great spot to examine Mueller Lake up close. Its colour, along with the gigantic moraine walls was such an alien sight.

Τhe track turns away from Mueller Lake and continues north, through the sacred Tōpuni area of Hooker Valley, following the river upstream.

An enigmatic Maori Chief in disguise

After conquering the first two swing bridges, I headed north across tiny hills and valleys cherishing the lone company of Hooker River.

As I walked around a large bend a magnificent sight dominated the horizon, forcing me to stand my ground and feast my eyes on it. Standing firm and massive, masked within a thick veil of mist as if coming from an imaginary clay pipe, the great elder chief, Aoraki, in all its majesty came into view.

Behind its cloak, Aoraki enjoyed keeping its highest peaks hidden from me. It was much later that I learned about the local Maori story; it is totally up to the mountain to decide when and to whom it will show itself.

The Great Chief had retired to his tent; unfortunately, this time, I was not granted an audience. Several minutes passed before I could break free from its spell and be on my way; I still had some icebergs to catch.

Into the realm of Lord of the Rings

As soon as the landscape opened a bit more and the snowcapped Southern Alps loomed in the background the scenery was nothing less than epic. Going deeper into the lush valley surrounded by glacier-covered cliffs it was easy to portray the White Mountains of Middle-Earth.

I was sure I heard some goblin screams; all caves inside those mountain ranges must be swarming with them. But I definitely felt safer when I caught a glimpse of a dozen Longbeard dwarves dressed in steel mails, double-axes on hand.

For all those LOTR fans out there, this is one of your many chances in New Zealand to walk right into Tolkien’s fantasyland.

Hiking under the shadow of Mount Cook

The second part of Hooker Valley hike is mostly upon wooden boardwalks over the swampy vegetation. You will be hiking right into a meadow surrounded by alpine tussock grass with panoramic views of the Southern Alps. Aoraki remained visible through that part, silently monitoring my every move from its throne.

The track continues into the wide flat valley floor before crossing Hooker River for a final time. Suspension bridges served as good milestone points on my way back providing an estimation of where approximately I was.

As soon as I bounced my way across Upper Hooker Bridge, I found myself right below the moraine walls of Hooker Lake.

Turn back and look at the amazing scenery – Mount Thompson at 2.642 m. and Mount Brunner at 2.643 m. will proudly greet you.

Hooker Lake – the end of the walk

Climbing over the moraine the most picturesque surprise awaited me. Standing under the shadow of an imposing Mount Cook I was facing the ancient Hooker Glacier itself.

The intense mint colour of Hooker Lake along with a foggy Mount Cook in the background created the eeriest atmosphere. The thick clouds still did not permit me to view Aoraki and all I could do is imagine the unspeakable height of this iconic summit.

To be honest, I expected Hooker Glacier to be icier. However, after having a closer look I could easily distinguish a body of dense ice mixed with rock and debris accumulated as the glacier kept collapsing over the years.

That’s exactly how Hooker Lake formed sometime in the 1970s as Hooker Glacier started slowly melting.

What a wonderful experience it was – at about 900 metres above sea level I was lucky enough to witness such a surreal environment. The lake’s surface was calm, perfectly reflecting the surrounding snowy mountains upon its surface.

Have you ever seen floating icebergs?

The viewpoint above Hooker Lake is where the trail ends, but I wasn’t done exploring yet.

I noticed a short path leading down to a rocky beach; a great chance to get closer and feel the icy water. I also had the chance to touch some icebergs that strayed on the shore, having broken off from the nearby glacier.

If the lake is frozen enough you can even walk on its surface. However, make sure to avoid getting close to the icebergs; even the slightest movement around them may cause the ice to break.

I picked a flat rock and admired the scenery in complete silence. I was so privileged to stand on the shore of an iceberg-speckled lake facing directly an ancient glacier under one of the most iconic peaks of the globe.

As the icebergs were slowly drifting on the lake I was able to catch some magnificent reflections of Mount Cook and the surrounding Alps over the icy surface.

Small drops of rain started upsetting the lake’s surface… and interrupted my thoughts. After a quick last glance at the stunning landscape, I forced myself to head back as it was already getting late.

Hooker Valley Track – the return trip

On the way back you can enjoy more views down the valley and across Sealy Range from a totally different perspective. I have to admit that the scenery was equally impressive and interesting especially as the clouds are descending lower.

Luckily enough I had the track to myself so I made several photo-stops. The silence all around me was only interrupted by the constant rumbling of the Hooker River.

The alpine scenery was so majestic and tranquil, it felt unreal.

Random encounters with cheeky Keas, a couple of blackbirds and several rabbits made the return trip more fun. I have also spotted many different wildflowers along the way; celmisia and kōpukupuku, the world’s biggest buttercup.

Waving goodbye to the Great Chief

Up until the last moment I got into the car I was really hoping that the clouds would part so I can have a glimpse of Mount Cook.

Unfortunately, every time my hopes were confronted by mist and clouds – the “Cloud Piercer” definitely didn’t live up to its name that day.

Driving off Mount Cook National Park through State Highway 80, I kept peeking on the wing mirror. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t get Aoraki off my bucket list – I was so close!

And then, the peak was revealed!

Even if it lasted a couple of minutes, I didn’t miss the chance to pull over and capture it.

Verdict: Is Hooker Valley Track worth a visit?

Surreal, milky lakes, spectacular glacier views, lush valley meadows, picturesque icebergs, fast-flowing rivers and swing bridges. The scenery is truly breathtaking and will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.

Besides, you have the opportunity to spot some of Aotearoa’s most unique alpine flora and fauna.

All those make Hooker Valley Track one of the most epic short hikes in New Zealand and a must-do for all first-timers in South Island.

Know before you go

Best season to do the Hooker Valley Track

I have visited Hooker Valley in late October, which is considered to be mid-spring in New Zealand. It’s a great time to visit since you will be getting the best from both seasons, winter and summer.

Advantages of doing the tramp on spring:

• you still get the snowy peaks and the dramatic scenery
• the hike is easy to complete without any fear of slippery ice
• you will witness the blooming of mountain wildflowers
• it’s one of the least busy months for tourism in Mt. Cook

Staying near the Hooker Valley Track 

Even if Hooker Valley Track is the perfect half-day hike and won’t take more than 4 hours to complete, if possible, get accommodation nearby. Doing so will help you maximise your time in the area and start the walk either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Mount Cook Village is the most convenient location, in terms of distance from the trail, but there are only a handful of accommodation options available. Most of them are booked out in advance, so make sure to book ahead.

A more flexible (and adventurous) option for those with campervans, caravans or tents is White Horse Hill Campground. The campsite is conveniently located at the start of Hooker Valley Track. With basic amenities like drinking water, a shelter for cooking, toilets and fees starting from 15 NZD per person, per night it is an excellent choice.

You don’t get the chance to camp beneath a magnificent alpine scenery often so I definitely recommend it.

More info available at the official DoC website.

All images are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Are you planning to do the Hooker Valley Track? Do you recommend any other tramps? Leave your thoughts below!