The famous Hooker Valley Track is without a doubt one of the most popular hikes in New Zealand. The track can be found in the breathtakingly beautiful Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain.
I hiked the Hooker Valley Track over seven times and it never got old. There are constant views of the surrounding mountains. It’s hard to believe that such an easy hike can offer panoramic views of this scale. It’s one of the absolute best places to visit in the South Island, and all of New Zealand.
The Hooker Valley walk boasts an array of scenery and features. The track meanders past snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, across giant swing bridges and leads visitors to the wondrous Hooker Lake with Mount Cook standing tall in the background.
In this guide, I’ve shared everything you need to know about hiking the Hooker Valley Track. This includes details about the hike, what to wear, the best weather and other things to do in Mount Cook National Park.
Overview of the Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is one of New Zealand’s best day hikes. Due to its accessibility, it’s often crowded and busy but it’s still well worth-it.
Distance: 6.2 miles (10km) in total (round trip)
Elevation Change: 124m (407 feet)
Difficulty: Easy
The Hooker Valley Track is 3.1 miles (5 kms) long in each direction. Put simply, it’s 3.1 miles to Hooker Lake. You’ll then return on the same track to the start of the track. In total, the hike is 6.2 miles (10km).
The trail winds through the valley past Mueller Lake, with awe-inspiring views. There are also three swing bridges to cross which take you over the Hooker River.
There’s only 124 meters (407 feet) in elevation change on the Hooker Valley Track. This makes it a relatively flat hike, however there are quite a few steps in some parts.
How hard is the Hooker Valley Hike? Well, put simply, this is a fairly easy hike. The terrain is mostly flat and with incredible views around every corner, it’s easy to forget the distance you’re walking. The trail should be fine for most people.
It normally takes people around 3-hours to complete the hike. This gives you plenty of time to take photos and spend time admiring at the lake, and admiring Mount Cook.
How to get to Hooker Valley
The Hooker Valley Track is in Mount Cook National Park, an absolute must-visit spot on any South Island itinerary.
Aoraki Mount Cook is nestled in the heart of the South Island amongst the magnificent Southern Alps. It’s in a convenient location to add to most road trip itineraries. The park is a popular destination for those driving between Christchurch and Queenstown. It’s also possible to visit Mount Cook as an organised day trip from Queenstown.
Related read: discover the best day trips from Queenstown
If you’re driving to Mount Cook, turn off State Highway 8 on to State Highway 80. Continue along the road past the beautiful Lake Pukaki. After about 40-minutes of driving, will see the Aoraki Mount Cook Village, one of the closest towns to the hike. Here, turn on to the Hooker Valley Road.
The road to Mount Cook is full of incredible and instagrammable spots. This includes *that* famous Mount Cook viewpoint. Make sure to give yourself enough time to make the most of one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand.
The parking lot for the hike is at the end of Hooker Valley Road. It’s also where you’ll find the White Horse Hill Campground where you can camp overnight. It’s a big car park, but being one of the most popular spots in the South Island means it can get busy. I’d suggest getting there early in the day to ensure you can park.
There are some toilets at the beginning of the track in the Hooker Valley car park.
Highlights of the Hooker Valley Track
It’s impossible to list all the highlights of the Hooker Valley Track as the whole hike is one big highlight. But here are a few things to look out for.
Alpine Memorial
The Alpine Memorial is to remember all the lives lost on Mount Cook. It’s a stark reminder that the mountains are in charge here. To visit here, turn left off the main hiking path. It’s well signposted.
Near to the Alpine Memorial you’ll also find Freda’s Rock. This rock is to commemorate the first woman known to climb the summit of Mount Cook, Freda Du Faur.
First Swing Bridge
Just before you reach the first swing bridge, there is an *incredible* viewpoint. If you’re not a keen hiker and don’t want to do the whole track, I’d recommend at least walking to this point. It takes about 15-minutes from the start of the track (0.6 miles / 1 km).
This viewpoint offers amazing views of Mueller Lake, Mount Cook and the first swing bridge. It’s hard to believe that such incredible views can be found with so little effort. The path to this viewpoint is almost flat with very few steps, so it’s an easy hike.
It’s also common to hear the sounds of avalanches here, especially in the winter and spring months.
Hooker Valley
One of my favourite parts of the Hooker Valley Track is the giant wooden boardwalk. This long path takes you through the open valley. It really makes you appreciate where you are and the true scale of it.
Surrounded by majestic mountains and an open valley floor with Mount Cook ahead of you, this is one of the best photo spots in Mount Cook National Park.
Swing bridges
Crossing the three swing bridges is one of the best parts of the Hooker Valley Track. These giant bridges take visitors over the Hooker River. From the tops of the bridges, you can admire the turquoise blue water from above, as well as the incredible surrounding scenery.
The second bridge is my personal favourite. This is the longest of the three bridges and boasts breathtaking views.
The swing bridges in Hooker Valley are a fantastic part of the hike. If you’re afraid of heights, they can be a little intimidating. Each bridge has a sign with the maximum number of people allowed on the bridge at any one time.
Hooker Glacier and Lake
You’ll find Hooker Lake and views of the Hooker Glacier at the end of the trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see some icebergs in the lake. The lake is the source of the Hooker River, and you’ll quickly see where the river gets its blue from.
In my opinion, the views here are some of the best in all of New Zealand.
You can walk down the path to Hooker Valley lake to take a closer look. With Mount Cook in the background, it’s the perfect spot to have a picnic and take in the scenery. There are some picnic benches once you first reach Hooker Lake.
When to hike the Hooker Valley Track
Weather
It goes without saying that the best weather to hike the Hooker Valley is on a clear day with minimal wind.
Having said that, I’ve hiked the Hooker Valley in all different weathers. Strong winds, rain, snow, blizzards, clear skies… you get the idea. I don’t say this lightly but the Hooker Valley is beautiful in all weather. On a clear day, you’ll get amazing views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. On a wet or miserable day, the scenery feels so much more dramatic and powerful.
If you can choose a day with nice weather, go for it. But if you happen to be hiking on a wet day, don’t fear. It’s still worth it in my opinion.
The Hooker Valley Track is an alpine environment so it is important to ensure the weather is safe to hike in. More often than not, the track will be closed in extreme weather which includes strong winds or heavy snow. You can check the status on the Department of Conservation’s website.
Hooker Valley Track in the winter
It’s entirely possible to hike the Hooker Valley Track during the winter. With an increased avalanche risk, it’s best to check the Department of Conservation’s website to ensure the track is open.
The Hooker Valley Track is incredibly stunning in the winter. While it’s possible to see snow-capped peaks all year, seeing the valley covered in snow and ice and walking amongst this is a fantastic experience.
It’s worth noting that if it snows, the track can become very slippery. I had to turn back with my group once as it was too dangerous to walk, but the track was still open. Always check the weather before starting the hike. It’s an alpine environment and shouldn’t be underestimated.
If hiking to Hooker Lake in the winter, you may also be rewarded with a frozen lake, something not many people get to see. Note: if you’re lucky enough to see a frozen Hooker Lake, it’s important not to attempt to walk on it. There have been accidents in the past.
The area can get very cold in the winter as you’re at a higher altitude, so make sure to take plenty of layers.
The best time of day
There’s no ‘best time of day’ as such when it comes to hiking the Hooker Valley. The weather tends to follow the pattern of being clearer in the morning, but this isn’t always guaranteed.
To avoid the crowds, get on the trail as early as possible. There are accommodation options in the nearby Aoraki Mount Cook Village, or you can camp in the White Horse Hill campground.
It’s also doable to hike the Hooker Valley Track for sunrise. While you won’t see the sun rise up as such, the light over the mountains is incredible. There will also be very few people.
What to wear when hiking in Hooker Valley
While the Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular hikes in the South Island, it’s still important to remember it’s an alpine environment. Make sure you’re prepared for the hike.
In terms of what footwear to wear, I’d recommend sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes/boots. The hike isn’t overly technical, but it’s a long walk so you want to be comfortable.
Here are some other items to wear or take with you:
Layers: if you’re visiting when it’s cooler, make sure you have enough layers. The wind can be very strong in the valley, and you don’t want to get cold.
Waterproofs: the weather can be very unpredictable in the mountains. Even if it’s forecast to be sunny, take a waterproof coat (and trousers if you have) to keep you dry.
Sun cap or hat: keep your head protected. The sun can be strong here. Either wear a cap or a warmer hat depending on when you’re hiking.
Water and snacks: if you’re hiking the full Hooker Valley Track, make sure you’re carrying plenty of water and snacks. There are no facilities there so you need to take enough with you.
SPF: the sun is powerful in New Zealand. Make sure you have plenty of SPF to stop you getting sun burn.
Other things to do in Mount Cook National Park
The Hooker Valley Track normally takes about 3-hours to complete. This hopefully means you have plenty of time to explore other areas of Mount Cook.
I’ve written a whole guide on how to spend a day in Mount Cook, but here are the top options:
Mount Cook Village
The Mount Cook Village is the closest town to Mount Cook and the Hooker Valley. There’s not a huge amount to do here, but it’s a nice town to have a look at. I’d suggest heading to the visitor centre. There’s a small shop here as well as lots of information about the geography of Mount Cook and history of climbing here.
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Sir Edmund Hillary is a New Zealand mountain climber. He was one of the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
The Sir Edmund Hillary centre is a museum to commemorate his achievements and learn more about his past. It’s $25 NZD for adults to enter.
Other hikes
The Hooker Valley Track isn’t the only hike in Mount Cook National Park.
The park is home to the famous Mueller Hut hike. This challenging but rewarding hike leads you up to the famous Mueller Hut where you can stay overnight. If you only want to do part of the hike, you can walk up the 2,000 steps to the Sealy Tarns.
The Tasman Glacier walk is another popular option. There are a few short trails here leading you to Tasman Glaicer
Scenic Flights and Skydives
If you want to fuel your adrenaline side, consider a scenic flight or for the very brave, a skydive. Mount Cook is one of the best places in New Zealand to skydive. With breathtaking scenery over the Southern Alps, it will be an experience to remember.
There are also several operators offering scenic flights and helicopter rides over Mount Cook.
Klook.comAccommodation in Mount Cook
I’ve shared more about accommodation in Mount Cook in my guide. But for those who want to camp before taking on the Hooker Valley Track, consider the White Horse Hill campground.
This campground is at the start of the Hooker Valley Track, so it couldn’t be in a more convenient spot if you want to get on the track early. You will need to book your spot in advance through the Department of Conservation.
Another famous accommodation option in Mount Cook is the Hermitage Hotel. This historic building offers panoramic views of the valley, phenomenal stargazing and is in a convenient location for exploring the surrounding area.
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