Hike to the Hooker Glacier Lake and enjoy stunning views of New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.
Hiking Easy
This is New Zealand’s most popular alpine hike for a reason! Located in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in the South Island of New Zealand, the trail offers spectacular views of New Zealand's highest peak - Aoraki Mount Cook, the surrounding Southern Alps and the Hooker and Mueller Glacier lakes.
Park at the Whitehorse Hill Campground and walk to the viewpoint at the Mueller Glacier Lake. Short side tracks take you to the historic alpine memorial and "Freda's Rock". Enjoy stunning views of Mount Sefton and ice avalanches thundering down its East Face.
Cross the Hooker River on the first of 3 suspension bridges. The track winds its way through glacial moraine features, alpine meadows, patches of beech forest and alpine plants common to the area. After crossing the second bridge you'll come to Stocking Stream - this is a nice place to take a break and take in the alpine scenery.
Continue on across a third bridge to the Hooker Glacier Lake and admire the views of the South Face of Aoraki and the terminal face of the Hooker Glacier.
2-3 hours return, depending on your pace. Take a look at the weather forecast before you leave as New Zealand weather can change quickly and storms can be severe in alpine areas.
The Hooker Valley Track is part of our "Best Day Hikes & Walking Tracks in Aoraki Mount Cook" series.
<b>Guided hike:</b> Book a private guide and get the full experience with their expert knowledge of the area https://alpinerecreation.com
Easy
Walking along a well-kept trail that’s mostly flat. No obstacles are present.
The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.
Close to help in case of emergency.
2 m away
Boasting stunning views of the Mueller Glacier, Hooker Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Hooker Valley Track is a justifiably popular hike on New Zealand's South Island.
Easy Hiking
6.1 km away
A 2-3 day mountaineering adventure crossing the Mount Cook Range
Extreme Hiking
9.1 km away
Modern route to Ball Ridge and Ball Pass. Climbs up next to the Cove Stream Gorge, with nice views of waterfalls and the Tasman and Murchison Valleys. Crosses large sections of alpine scrub, scree and boulder fields, steep tussock slopes and snow fields.
Extreme Hiking