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Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

4.8
#1 of 38 in Outdoors in Mackenzie District
Must see · Hiking Trail · Nature / Park
One of New Zealand's most popular walks, Hooker Valley Track passes through diverse landscapes encompassed by a vast national park including the country's highest mountain. Suitable for nature lovers of all ages and skill levels, this half-day hike leads to several scenic lookouts and crosses the Hooker River via three swing bridges. As you traverse the route with sweeping views of Aoraki/Mount Cook's towering peaks, see if you can recognize some of the native flowers, which include celmisia and buttercup. The walking trail ends at a sparkling glacial lake, offering unobstructed vistas of the Southern Alps. Expect changeable weather conditions and wear shoes suitable for rugged terrain. Arrange to visit Hooker Valley Track and other attractions in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) using our Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) planner.
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Tours to Hooker Valley Track

FROM $431 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mt. Cook Fly | Explore | Fly ex Queenstown
Duration: 7 hours
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Hooker Valley Track reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
1,039 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By NatalieA2138
    I am so happy I decided to do this walk soon after checking into our accommodation as the weather was beautiful and warm and the next day we woke up to rain. I decided to start the walk from our...  more »
  • By Storyteller697046
    This is a lovely, largely flat walk with beautiful views. It’s a well marked track with three swing bridges.  more »
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Google
  • By Jo Lee
    This is definitely one of the best hikes for casual hikers like me. Most parts of track is flat and easy walks, with beautiful landscape and snow capped mountains along the way, making the hike is so enjoyable. We spent total of 4 hours return, stopping at almost every turn for photos and admiring the scenery. We will definitely want to be back again!
  • By Jess
    Amazing walk to an amazing spot. There are a number of stairs, gravel paths and wooden paths, and stunning views everywhere you look. We went in early Jan and it was 25 degrees but still plenty of icebergs in the lake.
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Popular things to do in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Aoraki/Mt. Cook ©
Outdoor Activity
Aoraki/Mt. Cook
Mt. Cook Village
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Glacier Explorers ©
Nature / Wildlife Tour
Glacier Explorers
Mt. Cook Village
4.2
Duration: 2 hours
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre ©
Observatory
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Mt. Cook Village
3.2
Duration: 2h 30 min
Kea Point Track ©
Hiking Trail
Kea Point Track
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min

Side trips from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Franz Josef Glacier ©
World heritage site
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min
Fox Glacier South Side Walk ©
World heritage site
Fox Glacier South Side Walk
Fox Glacier
3.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Lake Matheson Walk ©
Scenic Walking Area
Lake Matheson Walk
Fox Glacier
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
West Coast Wildlife Centre ©
Wildlife Area
West Coast Wildlife Centre
Franz Josef
3.1
Duration: 1h 30 min

Trails in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Sealy Tarns Track ©
Hiking Trail
Sealy Tarns Track
4.9
Duration: 3 hours
Mueller Hut Route ©
Hiking Trail
Mueller Hut Route
Mt. Cook Village
4.8
Duration: 4 hours
Red Tarns Track
Hiking Trail
Red Tarns Track
Mt. Cook Village
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Glencoe Walk
Hiking Trail
Glencoe Walk
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes

Nearby attractions in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre ©
Visitor Center
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
Mt. Cook Village
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite
Ski / Snow Tour
Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite
Mt. Cook Village
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Southern Alps Guiding ©
Ski / Snow Tour
Southern Alps Guiding
Mt. Cook Village
4.1
Duration: 4 hours
Alpine Guides
Ski / Snow Tour
Alpine Guides
5.0
Duration: 4 hours

Nature in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
Water Body
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
3.7
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Governors Bush Walk
Hiking Trail
Governors Bush Walk
Mt. Cook Village
3.1
Duration: 30 minutes

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