Short Walks At Aoraki/Mount Cook

19 September 2022

Hooker Valley Track

Duration

3 hours return (add 1 hour if starting from the village)

How to get there

Turn off State Highway at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. Begin at the Visitor Centre, or White Horse Hill Campground and car park.

Intensity

Easy – suitable for most levels of fitness

Description of walk

This is one of the most popular walks in the park, leading up the Hooker Valley towards Aoraki/Mount Cook. The track passes close to the Alpine Memorial which is a great viewpoint. Continue on to the Hooker River and cross twice on swing bridges before reaching Stocking Stream Shelter. From here, head up the valley crossing a third swing bridge that 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.

Facilities & important information

Public toilets, information centre, accommodation and dining options are available in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. As with all walks in this area, be prepared for changeable weather conditions. For more walks or detailed maps please contact the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Department of Conservation visitor information centre.

Dogs allowed

No

Governors Bush Walk

Duration

1 hour return (loop track)

How to get there

Turn off State Highway at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts and finishes at the public shelter at Aoraki Mount Cook village.

Intensity

Easy – suitable for most levels of fitness

Description of walk

The track meanders through silver beech forest where Fantail and Kea are common. A gradual climb leads to a lookout point before the track descends and returns to the village. This popular walk offers birdlife, a good viewpoint of the mountains and shelter in poor weather and is a great walk for children as it is a good place for them to run around in a natural landscape.

Facilities & important information

There are toilets, hot water, shower and picnic area available at the public shelter. Babies and small toddlers may need to be carried in a backpack.

Dogs allowed

No

Kea Point Walk

Duration

2 hours return from the village or 1 hour return from White Horse Hill campground and car park

How to get there

Turn off State Highway at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts at the White Horse Hill campground and car park.

Intensity

Easy

Description of walk

This walk gently winds its way through sub-alpine grasslands and scrub to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. The walk ends at a viewing deck that gives stunning views on a clear day of Mt Sefton and Footstool, the Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Facilities & important information

The campground is at the start of the walk, other facilities are available at Mt Cook Village. This is an exposed walk so take care on wet or windy days. In good weather, an all terrain buggy can be pushed along this track. Reasonably sturdy shoes are recommended.

Dogs allowed

No

Glencoe Walk

Duration

30 minutes return

How to get there

Turn off State Highway at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts and finishes behind The Hermitage.

Intensity

Easy

Description of walk

The walk zigzags through tōtara trees with a ferny understorey, emerging at a lookout near the prominent water tanks above the Hermitage. Walkers are rewarded with a birds-eye view of the village and beyond to the white ice of the Hooker Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Sunrise and sunset are good times to catch light-play on the mountains.

Facilities & important information

Public toilets, information centre, accommodation and dining options are available in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. As with all walks in this area, be prepared for changeable weather conditions.

Dogs allowed

No


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