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.