Mount Cook Walks

Experience the Magnificence of Aoraki/Mount Cook: Five Short Hikes for All Fitness Levels

If you're eager to witness the grandeur of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain, but are hesitant due to concerns about fitness or time constraints, fear not! At New Zealand Private Tours, we understand that everyone has different abilities and preferences. That's why we've handpicked five of the most popular short hikes that offer awe-inspiring views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. These trails are neither steep nor lengthy, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature's splendour without pushing beyond your limits.

Snow-capped mountains with a suspension bridge over a rocky river in the foreground.

Hooker Valley Track

Overview

  • Length: 10 Km (6.2 miles) return

  • Average time: 2.5 to 4 Hours

  • Height gain: 80 m (262 feet) over 5km (3.2 miles)

  • Distance from Mt Cook Village: 2 Km (1.25 miles)

  • Views of Aoraki Mt Cook: Yes

  • Views of a glacier: Yes the Hooker Glacier

  • Fitness level ( based on a semi fit 56 year old ): Low although quite long

  • Best time of the day to walk: Very exposed so can get hot in summer plus windy. Sunrise would be best however anytime is OK

  • Can you walk the track in winter: The track is open however can get very slippery in the shady areas due to ice not melting.

  • Only rising 80 m (262 feet) it’s not steep and has a well-cared for track as it’s the most popular walk in Mt Cook so you will never be own your own. There are toilets at the start and at 3.5kms (2.2 miles) There are picnic tables once you reach the Hooker lake, however you will have to share. You can walk down to the Hooker lake and put your hand in the water. If you walk from the Mt Cook Village you need to add an extra ½ hour each way. There is a very busy carpark at the start.

    Of the four walks listed this is the most popular and longest.

  • The track leads up the Hooker valley towards Aoraki / Mount Cook. It passes close to the Alpine Memorial (a great viewpoint) and Freda’s Rock before coming to the viewing point of the Mueller Glacier and the first swing bridge.

    Cross the Hooker River here and carry on to the second swing bridge. Look out for many different wildflowers along the way, including celmisia and the kōpukupuku / Mount Cook buttercup.

    The track from the first swing bridge to the second travels between old moraine ridges and humps. Past the second bridge, the vegetation changes to more open tussock and
    a wider valley floor. A third swing bridge leads to the east Hooker and the source of the Hooker River. The track
    ends at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki / Mount Cook, the Hooker Glacier and the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Return the same way, enjoying more views down the valley and across to the Sealy Range.

Kea Point Track

Overview

  • Length: 2.8Km (1.73 miles) return

  • Average time: 1 to 1.15 Hours , add 1 hour if walking from village

  • Height gain: 180 m (262 feet) over 2.8km (1.73 miles)

  • Distance from Mt Cook Village: 2 Km (1.25 miles)

  • Views of Aoraki Mt Cook: Yes

  • Views of a glacier: Yes, Mount Sefton’s hanging glacier

  • Fitness level ( based on a semi fit 56 year old ): Low although quite steep

  • Best time of the day to walk: Very exposed so can get hot in summer plus windy. Sunrise would be best however anytime is OK

  • Can you walk the track in winter: Not recommended as very icy

  • Rising 180 m (590 feet) parts of the track are a little steep and rocky however it’s still a well-cared for track. Once you get to the end there is a seat with a great view of Mt Cook. There are toilets at the start of the track. If you have a car or private driver there is a carpark at the start.

    If you have time you can combine this with the Hooker Valley walk as they start at the same location.

  • This walk gently winds its way through subalpine grasslands and scrub to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. The track passes through a landscape that was formed in 1913 when
    a stream cut through from the glacier to the original Hermitage site, damaging the building. The walk ends at a viewing deck that gives stunning views of Mount Sefton, The Footstool, the Hooker Valley, the Mueller Glacier lake and Aoraki / Mount Cook.

Tasman Lake Track

Overview

  • Length: 2.5Km (1.6miles) return

  • Average time: 1 hour

  • Height gain: None

  • Distance from Mt Cook Village: 9 Km (5.6 miles)

  • Views of Aoraki Mt Cook: Yes however only the top

  • Views of a glacier: Yes, the Tasman Glacier

  • Fitness level ( based on a semi fit 56 year old ): Very low

  • Best time of the day to walk: Very exposed so can get hot in summer plus windy. Sunrise would be best however anytime is OK

  • Can you walk the track in winter: The track is open however can get very slippery in the shady areas due to ice not melting.

  • If you have booked the glacier boat you won’t want to do this this walk as it’s the same place.

    A well-cared for and flat easy track this is the easiest way to see a glacier plus large chucks of ice floating in the glacial lake. There are toilets at the start of the track, you will need to have a car or private driver as it’s 9kms (5.6 miles from Mt Cook Village, there is a carpark which can get a little crowded. You can make detour down to the place the glacier boats leave from and put your hand in the water, however there is a small hill to descend which is a bit rocky.

    Of the five walks listed this would be the easiest and we think the best with the least effort.

  • This walk branches to the right off the Blue Lakes Track just past the Blue Lakes shelter and leads to a viewpoint of the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier terminal lake. A further track branches to the right off this track leading to the source of the Tasman River. Icebergs can usually be seen floating in the lake in summer, and the lake freezes over in winter. The track leads through the old terminal moraines of the glacier, and you can see good examples of plant succession along the route.

    The Tasman Lake is a relatively recent addition to the scene, starting its formation in 1974 and growing steadily since then. It is now large enough to take commercial boat and kayak tours. The large terminal moraines mark the foot of the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier at the time of the lake’s formation and are a sobering reminder of the glacier’s retreat.

Tasman Glacier View Track

Overview

  • Length: 2.5 Km (1.5miles) return

  • Average time: 1 to 1.15 Hours

  • Height gain: 100 m (328 feet) over 1.2km (.75 miles)

  • Distance from Mt Cook Village: 2 Km (1.25 miles)

  • Views of Aoraki Mt Cook: Yes however only the top

  • Views of a glacier: Yes the Tasman Glacier

  • Fitness level ( based on a semi fit 56 years old ): Medium although quite steep

  • Best time of the day to walk: Very exposed so can get hot in summer plus windy. Sunrise would be best however anytime is OK

  • Can you walk the track in winter: Not recommended as can be very icy on the steps

  • If you have booked the glacier boat you might not need to do this walk as looks over the same place.

    Rising 100 m (328 feet) parts of the track are a little and steep rocky however it’s still a well-cared for track. Once you get to the end there is a great view of the Tasman Glacier.

    Of the five walk on our list this one would be the most tiresome as it’s all up hill however not as long as the Hooker Valley walk.

  • From the car park, walk past the Blue Lakes shelter and meander up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on
    the moraine wall.

    There are goodviews of the lower Haupapa / Tasman
    Glacier and lake, icebergs, and the mountains at the head of the valley. A side
    trip to the Blue Lakes offers good swimming in summer.

    At about 22 km long, the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in Aotearoa New Zealand. Unfortunately, glaciers the world over are shrinking, with the Tasman receding over 100 m per year.

Governors Bush Walk

Overview

  • Length: 1.2 Km (.75miles) loop

  • Average time: 1 Hours

  • Height gain: 100 m (328 feet) over 1.2km (.75 miles)

  • Distance from Mt Cook Village: 300 meters (.18 miles)

  • Views of Aoraki Mt Cook: Yes however only the top

  • Views of a glacier: No

  • Fitness level ( based on a semi fit 56 years old ): Medium although quite steep

  • Best time of the day to walk: Anytime of the day as covered by trees

  • Can you walk the track in winter: Not recommended as can be very icy on the steps

  • Nice bush track with native plants and a view of Mt Cook from the top.

    Rising 100 m (328 feet) parts of the track are a little and steep rocky however it’s still a well-cared for track. Once you get to the top there is a nice view of Mt Cook.

    Of the five walks on our list this one would be perfect if you don’t have transport as its very close to the Mt Cook Village, however a lot of the time you are surrounded by trees so the views are not as good as the other walks.

  • From the car park, it’s best to take the entry behind the shelter/toilets building.

    There are good-views of Mt Cook at the top only, there is a also view of a waterfall/rapids on the Black Birch Stream
    Lots of the trees have name tags so you can identify the local flora.

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