The Hooker Valley Track is the most popular hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Located a 5-minute drive from the Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, this stunning track is breathtaking at every turn and is regarded as one of the best short walks in New Zealand.

The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campground and car park at the end of Hooker Valley Road. You’ll make your way up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day.

The track is a flat 10-kilometre return trip, where you’ll pass alpine flora and fauna, cross three swing bridges and if you’re lucky you will encounter picturesque icebergs in the lake.

Open all year round, the scenery changes with every season making it well worth visiting more than once! Just remember the weather can change quickly in alpine environments so be prepared for variable weather conditions all year round.

The Hooker Valley Track – just one of our #52Reasons why you should visit the Legendary Mackenzie!