Start behind The Hermitage Hotel. The walk zigzags through tōtara trees with a ferny understorey, emerging at a lookout near the prominent water tanks above The Hermitage. A short climb rewards with a bird’s-eye view of the village and beyond to the white ice of Hooker Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Sunrise and sunset are good times to catch the light-play over the mountains.
Aoraki/Mount Cook village is located within the national park. Twizel is the nearest town.
From Twizel travel north on SH 8 for approximately 9 km. Turn left onto SH 80 (Mt Cook Road). Follow SH 80 for 55 km until you reach Aoraki/Mt Cook village.
No unauthorised drone use in the national park
Unauthorised use of drones is prohibited. You must have a permit to fly a drone.
DOC does not generally approve permits to fly drones in this national park and we do not recommend you apply for one.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 435 1186 |
| Email: | mtcookvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 1 Larch Grove Aoraki/Mount Cook 7999 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |