Beautiful Hooker Valley Track with Mt Cook views in New Zealand
The Hooker Valley track is one of the most beautiful hikes on New Zealand’s South Island providing epic mountain views, swing bridges, glacial lakes and floating icebergs. And the good news is, you don’t have to hike too far for the best views! Along the hiking trail, you are treated to amazing views of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. The well-maintained trail takes you over several swing bridges, a boardwalk along the Hooker River with the end of the trail leading to the stunning glacial Hooker Lake. Because the Hooker Valley track is one of the most popular walks in Mt Cook, it can get crowded along the trail. Therefore I will share some tips and other important information you need to know before you do the Hooker Valley walk.
How to get to Hooker Valley track
The trailhead of Hooker Valley track is located in the heart of Mount Cook National Park. You can get to the car park by following State Highway 80, also known as Mount Cook Road, then drive to the end of Hooker Valley Road until you get to the White Horse Hill Campground. Here you’ll find a large parking area and several trailheads. If you are traveling with a campervan through New Zealand, this campground is highly recommended for the epic views and easy access to the best Mount Cook hikes.
The parking lot offers plenty of space as this is also the trailhead for hikes such as Sealy Tarns and the Mueller Hut hike. Besides that is the Hooker Valley track also one of the most popular hikes on the south island. Therefore it can be busy along the trail, so plan accordingly if you want to beat the crowds. The start of the trail is well signposted, so read the information boards and you’ll be fine! There are flush toilets at the trailhead as well, so make sure to use them before hitting the trail.
There is no public transport going to Mount Cook village so you will have to book your rental car or campervan in advance to travel around.
But you can also book this day tour to Mount Cook NP including hiking Hooker valley track from Queenstown.
What is the best time to hike Hooker Valley track?
Overall the Hooker Valley Track is fantastic to hike at any time of the day as long as it’s a clear day. This will make your chance of seeing New Zealand’s highest peak, also known as the ‘cloud piercer’, the highest.
I would always recommend to start the Hooker Valley track either in the early morning or late afternoon. By doing this, you can skip the crowds that mostly come between 9 an 10 AM.
Keep in mind that there isn’t much shade or other forms of protection along the trail. So on a hot summer day you need to prepare yourself with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. On the other hand, the colder winter months give other challenges with snow and sometimes strong winds. Although Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is one of the easiest accessible alpine environments in New Zealand, you need to come prepared and wear layered clothes.
The best time for photographers to visit Hooker Valley is either for sunrise or sunset. With sunset, the last light gives Mount Cook a beautiful orange, golden glow. Around this time it is also very quiet on the trail. When hiked Hooker Valley for sunset, we even had Hooker Lake for ourselves.
Sunrise is also a great time to hike Hooker Valley Track. Then you will get a view of the first rays of the sun creeping over New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
Hooker valley hike key facts
Before we dive into the details about the Hooker Valley track, let’s first have a look at the key facts of the trail so you’re well prepared!
Hooker Valley track distance and duration: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) each way so 10 kilometers in total. You will return via the same trail, but the views are beautiful whichever way you look. The total time that Hooker Valley Track will take is about 3.5 hours including some photo stops.
Hooker Valley track difficulty and elevation gain: The trail of Hooker Valley is flat and very well maintained. Therefore I think it’s an easy hike which can be done by everyone. The trail goes partly over a gravel path, but also a wooden boardwalk and suspension bridges which take you over Hooker River.
Hooker Valley track description
The Hooker Valley Track starts as a very easy walk through grassland over a gravel surface with easy grades. Because of the flat path, the trail is even suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Before the 1-kilometer mark of the trail, you will get to the first viewpoint of Mueller Lake lookout. The views of the surrounding mountain ranges, Muller Lake and Mueller Glacier are impressive. But the best is yet to come!
Shortly after this viewpoint you will cross the first suspension bridge. If you listen closely you can hear the rumbling of avalanches from the distant Mount Sefton. You may even be able to spot them before they crash into Mueller Lake below.
After the first swing bridge where you cross the Hooker River, the walking track continues between old moraine ridges and humps. You will wind your way up the Hooker Valley past alpine streams and glaciers with Aoraki/Mount Cook looming over you.
After the second swing bridge the vegetation changes to more open tussock and a wider valley floor. The picturesque icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains will have you take your camera at every turn.
The third swing bridge leads you to the east side of Hooker Lake which is the source of the Hooker River. Here you will find some picnic tables which is the perfect spot for a lunch break. But make sure to walk down to the lakeshore so you can check out the icebergs and stunning views of the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
The glacier-fed Hooker Lake sits directly beneath Mt Cook and can freeze in the winter. So during the summer months when the ice is melting, you’re likely to see glacial ice floating on the surface of the lake. If you’re lucky and it is a calm day without any wind, you might be able to see Mt Cook’s reflection in the lake.
Getting back to the car park is straightforward. Just walk the same route as you came and enjoy the new perspective of your surroundings. Hooker Valley Track is without a doubt a great hike and in my opinion even the best half-day hike you can do on the South Island.
Fun fact: Hooker Lake was only formed in the 1970s after the Hooker Glacier began retreating, so it’s actually quite a new lake!
Did you know that Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain which stands at 3,724m (12,217ft)? Take your time to take in these impressive views and walk along Hooker glacier lake to see the different perspectives.
Where to stay near Hooker Valley track
Hooker Valley Track is located in Mount Cook National Park where only a few accommodations are available. In fact, there are only 7 lodging options in Mt Cook National Park and they book up super fast! Especially in the summer months. Therefore it is highly recommended to book your accommodation far in advance to secure a room. Here are our recommendations to stay in Mount Cook National Park.
Where to stay in Mount Cook National Park
In Mount Cook National Park are only a few accommodations available. In fact, there are only 7 lodging options in Mt Cook National Park and they book up super fast! Especially in the summer months. Therefore it is highly recommended to book your accommodation far in advance to secure a room. Here are our recommendations to stay in Mount Cook National Park.
The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook
The Hermitage is an iconic hotel in Mount Cook National Park and is some of the most famous hotels in New Zealand. And that’s because it has some of the very best views in the whole country. You will have stunning views on Aoraki Mt Cook from every angle. So because of this and the great quality and hospitality, The Hermitage is always fully booked. Especially in high season. So if you want to secure a room at The Hermitage, you have to book weeks, if not months, in advance.
→ Check here the availability and rates for the Hermitage Hotel
Aoraki Court Motel
Another great hotel in Mount Cook Village is Aoraki Court Motel. This modern accommodation features great views of the surrounding mountains. All rooms have a patio with mountain views and a fridge with kitchenware. With an average of 9.3 on Booking you know this accommodation is a great choice, so book fast!
→ Check here the availability and rates for Aoraki Court Motel
Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge
The best value-for-money hotel is the Mount Cook Lodge. With stunning views on the mountain range and a communal dining area you can prepare your own food and relax at the lounge area with a warming fireplace.
→ Check here availability and rates for Alpine Lodge in Mt Cook NP
If all accommodations in Mount Cook National Park are fully booked, then don’t worry, because you can stay in the nearby town of Twizel. This small town is a 45-minute drive from Mount Cook NP and has more accommodation options and facilities than Mt Cook village. We stayed here for a few nights to explore the different hikes at Mount Cook and were happy to have plenty of restaurant options nearby in Twizel. Check here all Twizel accommodations, availability and prices.
Best tours on the South Island
New Zealand’s South Island is full of adventure, stunning scenery and fun experiences to be made. There are few experiences which are an absolute must when you’re traveling New Zealand’s South Island. Below a summary of the best tours you can book.
Check here the best New Zealand South Island tours on GetYourGuide
Check here the best New Zealand South Island tours on Viator
Mount Cook and The Glaciers Helicopter Flight
An absolute unforgettable experience in New Zealand is a helicopter flight over the highest mountain of the country. During this tour you will glide over Aoraki/Mount Cook and down the Tasman glacier. You will land in pristine snow and walk around to take in the impressive views of the snow capped mountains and glacier. A once in a lifetime experience!
→ Book here your Mount Cook and The Glaciers Helicopter Flight
Milford Sound Cruise and Kayak tour
Depart during a morning cruise on a smaller boat that travels outside of peak hours. This will give you prime viewing and more time on the water than other tours. You will listen to the informative commentary from the passionate skippers of Southern Discoveries and enjoy a provided picnic lunch. If you want to, you can include a kayak excursion and paddle Harrison Cove in a small-group. Limited to 8 people you will have a very intimate experience to really take in the immense scale of the bluffs and explore Milford Sound in a unique way.
→ Book here your Milford Sound Cruise and Kayak tour
Cruise to the hidden Doubtful Sound
The lesser known and quieter version of Milford Sound is Doubtful Sound. During this full-day tour you will journey across the clear waters of Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife while taking in the scenery. If you’re lucky you might see fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and crested and little blue penguins. You naturalist guide will tell you everything and point out interesting sights.
→ Book here your cruise to the hidden Doubtful Sound
Take a scenic flight over Milford Sound
A Milford Sound scenic flight is the perfect way to see the impressive landscape of Fiordland NP from the air. Depart from Milford Airport and track west along Milford Sound. Climb alongside Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak for some great views of the fiords and its towering peaks. After the 20 minute helicopter flight you will return to Milford base.
→ Book here your scenic flight over Milford Sound
Another way to see Fiordland National Park from above is when you booked the scenic fly-cruise-fly tour from Queenstown. You will get a round trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound followed by a boat cruise in Milford Sound. Take in the spectacular views of the snow capped mountains of the Southern Alps, remote valleys and waterfalls. During the flight you will have an amazing aerial view of Lake Quill and Sutherland Falls as can be seen on the picture below. This experience will take your breath away and is a must do if your budget allows it. Without a doubt some of the most scenic flights in New Zealand.
→ Book here your Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown
How to get around in New Zealand
To experience New Zealand to the fullest and at your own pace, renting a car, campervan or motorhome is the best way to get around. Which one of these options you choose depends on your preference and budget. If you love camping, being outdoors all day and you don’t mind a smaller living space, then renting a camper van is the way to go. It also gives you the freedom to sleep at some of the most beautiful camping spots, but for some of them you’ll have to make a reservation and plan your trip accordingly. The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car, camper van or motorhome in New Zealand.
Car rental in New Zealand
Renting a car in New Zealand is the easiest and cheapest rental vehicle available. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. However, you should keep in mind that some roads in New Zealand are still gravel or that you have to cross shallow rivers to some destinations in National Parks. Therefore we recommend a mini SUV or SUV model to have enough clearance for this kind of roads.
The best place to book your rental car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare different car models, prices, companies and terms and conditions. Make sure to secure the booking of your rental car as soon as possible to have the lowest price possible. Prices go up the closer you get to the pickup date.
Campervan rental in New Zealand
Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a road trip in New Zealand. With a bed, small kitchen and seating area you will have all the (basic) needs on four wheels. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. It will give you a true feeling of freedom and connects you with nature.
We personally recommend booking your campervan with Travellers Autobarn. They have a wide range of Station wagons, 2-berth campervans & 3-5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets. All Travellers Autobarn campervan hires in New Zealand come with free unlimited kilometers, a 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 roadside assistance & long-term rental discounts. Check the availability and prices today to secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream road trip!
More New Zealand travel guides
I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the Hooker Valley track in Mount Cook National Park. Make sure to put this awesome hike on your New Zealand South Island itinerary!
There are many amazing other things to do and places to visit on the South Island of New Zealand. So if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas, head over to our other New Zealand travel guides and read more!
Mount Cook National Park
20 best things to do in Mount Cook National Park
Where to stay in Mount Cook National Park
12 best Mount Cook walks – The Ultimate Guide
Mueller Hut Hike – All You Need To Know
Sealy Tarns track – The Complete Guide
Tasman Glacier viewpoint track – The Complete Guide
Queenstown
30 best things to do in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
16 best hikes in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
12 best Queenstown helicopter tours
10 best wine tours in Queenstown
Queenstown Hill walk – The Complete Guide
Ben Lomond track – The Complete Guide
Moke Lake loop track & viewpoint – The Complete Guide
Bobs Cove nature walk – The Complete Guide
Fiordland National Park
20 best things to do in Milford Sound – The Complete Guide
Milford Sound Cruise – The Complete Guide
Lake Marian track – The Complete Guide
Mirror Lakes New Zealand – The Complete Guide
Key Summit track – The Complete Guide
Glenorchy
20 best things to do in Glenorchy – The Ultimate Guide
Glenorchy walkway & lagoon track – The Complete Guide
Earnslaw Burn glacier valley and waterfalls – The Complete Guide
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