Hooker Valley Track
Located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the Canterbury region
Introduction
Enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on one of our best day hikes - wind up the Hooker Valley past alpine streams and glaciers in the shadow of Aoraki/Mount Cook.Highlights
- Views of Mueller Glacier, Hooker Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
- Mount Cook buttercup, the world’s biggest buttercup.
- Fitness required: Low
- Gradient: Flat
The track leads through the sacred Tōpuni area of the Hooker Valley, which has special significance and values to Ngāi Tahu iwi, towards Aoraki/Mount Cook.
From the first of three swing bridges along the way, enjoy the views over the Mueller Lake and listen for the rumbling of avalanches from the distant Mount Sefton. You may be able to spot them before they crash into the Mueller Glacier below.
After crossing the Hooker River, the track goes between old moraine ridges and humps.
From the second swing bridge, the vegetation changes to more open tussock and a wider valley floor.
Second swingbridge may close in high winds
The second swingbridge may be closed during winds in excess of 80 k/hr and in significant flood events.
The second swingbridge in the Hooker Valley was severely damaged during a storm in March 2019. There is erosion on both sides of the bridge which affects its structural integrity during high winds. Engineers have determined the bridge is completely safe when not affected by strong winds and flood events.
A third swing bridge then leads to the East Hooker and the source of the Hooker River.
The track ends with an amazing view over the iceberg-speckled Hooker Lake and up to majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Sun over the Southern Alps at dawn
The track at dawn gives you a view of the first rays of the sun creeping over the Southern Alps, including over New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
The nearest towns are Aoraki Mt Cook village (2 km), Tekapo (96 km) and Twizel (56 km).
The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campground and car park at the end of Hooker Valley Road.
What to expect
- Change in elevation: 124 m
Hazards
- The Aoraki/Mount Cook region experiences very fast changes in weather. In this alpine environment it’s common to experience strong wind, high rainfall, heavy snowfall and rapid changes in temperature at any time of the year. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park weather forecast – NIWA website.
- The track is designed to avoid the risk of avalanche – keep to the tracks.
Amenities
- Toilets at White Horse Hill Campground at the start, and at Stocking Stream halfway along the walk.
- Picnic tables just past the second swing bridge and at the Hooker Lake lookout.
Be prepared
Ensure you take:
- plenty of drinking water
- a water/windproof jacket, a hat and gloves, sunscreen and wear warm, layered clothing
- sturdy footwear such as running shoes or light boots
- head torch
- mobile phone (cellphone connection is possible for most of the track).
How to pack for a day walk
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date and time to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Many different wildflowers can be seen along the way, including celmisia and the Mount Cook buttercup/kōpukupuku, the world’s biggest buttercup.
Kea can sometimes be heard along the track.
Contacts
| Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 435 1186 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | mtcookvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
1 Larch Grove Aoraki/Mt Cook |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 5 Aoraki/Mt Cook 7946 |
| Full office details | |