Hiking on the Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand

Hiking on the Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand

The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular day hikes in New Zealand. A slight hike with an incredible view of the southern Alps, glacier streams and the majestic Aoraki (Mount Cook).

When it comes to incredible day hikes, the Hooker Valley Track is honestly difficult to exceed, both with regard to the view and easy access.

The Hooker Valley Track is located in the incredible Mount Cook National Park and winds up the Gletschertal and crosses several picturesque suspension bridges over glacier streams with ice cream -covered mountains on every page.

This guide guides you through everything you need to know about the Hooker Valley Track, including some useful tips that help you make the best of the hike.

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Where is the Hooker Valley Track New Zealand?

The Hooker Valley Track follows the Hooker River the Hooker Valley up in Mount Cook National Park. The starting point can be reached near the campsite White Horse Hill, which is at the end of the Mount Cook Road.

Best helicopter experience in New Zealand: Book the Mount Cook helicopter flight

How to get to the Hooker Valley Track

To get to the Hooker Valley Track, you have to drive one of the most beautiful streets of New Zealand. Mount-Cook-Straße. This road branches off at the intersection just before Lake Pukaki from State Highway 8 (Tekapo-Twizel Road).

The street to Mount Cook National Park is paved and well maintained. However, it occasionally closes in winter due to storms.
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Guide to the picture above: Peters Lookout on the street to Mount Cook

GPX file

Here is the GPX recording of the track I recorded. I recorded this track with my Garmin GPS watch. You will probably not need it for navigation.

gpx file: download

Mein Strava: Visit

Connection: Complete guide to the Roys Peak hike near Wanaka

Transport options

You have pick -up locations in Glentanner, Twizel and Lake Tekapo. The prices for transfers range from $ 41 back and forth.

TIP: If you don't have a car and save money, you can easily hitchhike to the Mount Cook National Park, as there is only one back and forth.

What you can expect on the Hooker Valley Track

distance and duration of the hike: 10 km-2-3 hours
Höhe: ~ 100 m height difference
difficulty: Simple

The Hooker Valley Track is a simple track that is suitable for different fitness levels. The route is mostly flat, with only about 100 m height difference, which are distributed over the 10 km long route.

The starting point of the hiking trail is right next to the parking lot to the White Horse Hill campsite, on the right side of the street when you drive to the large parking lot.

The path leads the Hooker Valley up, with a view to the Mount Cook, which is visible over the entire length of the hike.
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Shortly after the departure you can reach a moraine viewpoint with informative signs that explain the Alpine Geology, with the kind approval of the Doc.

There are a total of three rotary bridges on the Hooker Valley Track. The first crosses the Hooker River and offers an excellent view of the Mueller Lake.
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After the second turning bridge, you will find that the landscape turns into a grass bush level, with wooden walkways, the hikers prevent the local grassland trampled.
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After a last river crossing over a spectacular turning bridge, the path wanderer leads to Hooker Lake. On a clear day, it seems as if they are running directly on Mount Cook, which upheld directly behind a small hill.
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Connection: 6 Best day hikes in Mount Cook National Park

Hooker-See

The Hooker Lake marks the end of the Hooker Valley Track. From here you have an incredible view of the highest mountain of New Zealand and a wide view over the lake littered with glaciers.

You can continue to the banks of the lake, where you can catch a closer look at the huge chunks of ice, which are the way to the source of the Hooker River.
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From here, the Hooker Valley Track leads on the same path back to the parking lot. This time the view of the SEALY mountain chain predominates.
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Klook.com

More: 11 Epic Mount Cook View Locations-The best places to see Mount Cook

to be cloudy?

bad weather seems to be more common in this region than a clear day. During our visit we were waiting for a good opportunity for days to hike the Hooker Valley Track.

If you have little time, however, do this hike not only because of a light cloud cover. Remember that this is an alpine region and the weather changes very quickly. Sometimes this can be a blessing, especially when the clouds share perfectly for a short moment and reveal the grandiose peaks and glaciers of this incredible travel destination.
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Camping in the Mount Cook National Park

The best overnight accommodation in the Mount Cook National Park is the White Horse Hill Campsite.

Here are 60 parking spaces without power supply and you have to arrive early in the high season to secure a place. It is not possible to book online because it works according to the principle "Whoever comes first".

The fees are $ 15 per night and person.

More photos from the Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand

Here are a few of my favorite photos of the hike. We were very lucky to be good weather to be able to make some clear recordings!
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More things near Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

I hope that you liked this quick and simple guide to hiking on the Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand.

If you have track updates or questions, help other travelers by leaving a comment below.

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