The track leads through the sacred Tōpuni area of the Hooker Valley, which has special significance and values to Ngāi Tahu iwi. 

The track starts at White Horse Hill carpark.

It passes close to the Alpine Memorial (a great viewpoint) and Freda’s Rock, before arriving at Mueller Lake Lookout and a swing bridge.

After crossing the swing bridge, the track leads around the side of Mueller Lake, ending at Kakīroa/Mount Sefton View Lookout. There are excellent views of the lake, Mueller Glacier and Kakīroa/Mount Sefton. At some times of year you can hear and spot avalanches on Kakīroa/Mount Sefton.

The track is closed beyond Kakīroa/Mount Sefton View Lookout while a new bridge is built. Flooding has eroded the riverbank under the existing bridge. The full track will reopen when the new bridge is built, likely in Autumn 2026.

There are very limited views of Aoraki/Mount Cook from the open section of this track. You can view Aoraki/Mount Cook better from Kea Point Track (1-2 hours) or Sealy Tarns Track (3-4 hours, strenuous).

The track surface from White Horse Hill car park to Mueller Lake Lookout is a firm clay/gravel surface with easy grades. It is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

Beyond Mueller Lake Lookout there are several sections of steps which make wheelchair/buggy access difficult.

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.

The car park can be busy during peak times. We recommend visiting early in the day during summer and public holidays.

Weather

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.

Hooker Valley Track can become very icy in shaded areas and extremely slippery. We recommend microspikes and hiking poles for this track in winter.

Do not go in the water or on the ice

Stay out of the lakes in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. They are very cold (typically about 3 degrees celsius) and can quickly cause hypothermia.

Stay off the lakes when they are frozen over, as the ice can be thin and could give way at any time.  Do not climb icebergs in the lakes as these are unstable and can tip unexpectedly.

You could put your life at risk by walking on the ice. If it gave way, you could drown or develop hypothermia.

Avalanche risk

The track is designed to avoid the risk of avalanche – keep to the tracks.

Amenities

• Wheelchair accessible toilets at White Horse Hill Campground at the start.
• A public shelter with tables/seating and potable (treated) drinking water at White Horse Hill Campground. 

What to take

Short walks gear list

How to pack for a day walk