Mt Cook Walks, Hikes and More Fun Things to do in Mt Cook National Park
Mt Cook Walks and Other Awesome Things to Do in Mt Cook National Park
Welcome to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, one of the best places in New Zealand to visit and certainly one of my favourites. I can still remember the first time I visited here and to say I was blown away is an understatement.
One of the best things to do in Mt Cook National Park is to complete a majestic Mt Cook hike or walk. If you are new to the Mt Cook area, let me start by telling you, it isn’t at huge elevation and you don’t need any particular skills to enjoy Mt Cook while you are here.
Even if you visit Mt Cook in winter, you do not often need chains as the roads are regularly salted and well looked after. There are also a ton of Mt Cook glacier walks and short walks that are suitable for families with children, and people with low fitness levels. There really is a Mt Cook walk for everyone.
If you want to see the beautiful Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, then I implore you to stay in Aoraki National Park for a few days at least. If you visit for a day trip and it ends up being cloudy (think very changeable weather here in Mt Cook) then you will surely be disappointed. So make sure you stick around and try out some of the beautiful Mount Cook accommodation options on offer.
If you are not sure where to stay in Mt Cook National Park, click here to jump down to a few of our favourites.
Here is a quick summary of the Mt Cook Walking Tracks below
Mount Cook Walking tracks
- Bowens Bush Walk (10 mins)
- Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier Viewpoint (40 mins return)
- Tasman Lake walk (1 hour return)
- Hooker Valley Track (3-4 hours return)
- Red Tarns (2 hours return)
- Kea Point, Mt Cook (1 hour return)
- Governors Bush Track (1 hour return)
- Sealy Tarns (3-4 hours return)
- Mueller Hut (6-8 hours return)
- Glencoe Walk (30 min return)
- Expert Mt Cook Hikes and Climbing Mt Cook
- Other fun things to do in Mt Cook besides walking
Mt Cook Accommodation
As we mentioned above, Mt Cook is such a beauty, you don’t want to miss seeing her. So do make sure you spend a couple of days at least exploring the area. Mt Cook does cloud in a bit, but be patient, she’s beautiful.
So here are a few Mt Cook accommodation options. Please note: Some of these links are affiliate links. These do not cost you any extra, but any commission earned goes towards the running of this website. Thanks so much for your support.
Camping: The White Horse Hill DOC campsite is a great spot if you have a campervan or your own tent. You do need to bring your own cooking facilities as only water and toilets are available here, but the location, you can’t beat! Right at the start of the Hooker Valley Track, but do make sure you arrive early over holiday periods and summer, it can be extremely busy.
Budget: Glentanner Holiday Park: We have camped here, as well as stayed in cabins. They are only 20 mins from Mt Cook village, looks over Lake Pukaki and are really reasonable. The kitchen is fully stocked, even a rice cooker and the outside covered bbq area is awesome. (Photos below)
Click here for the latest prices at Glentanner Holiday Park
Mid Range Mt Cook accommodation
Mt Cook Lodge: The one bedroom apartments and chalets will appeal to families here, with the ability to cook. Do make sure you bring in supermarket supplies from Twizel or Tekapo as there are no supermarkets in Mt Cook Village. Check out some photos and prices here
Hermitage Hotel: The Hermitage Hotel is the poster child for Mt Cook hotels. It is perched up on the hill and has the most glorious expansive windows opening up to Mt Cook views. It also houses the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. For more information and the latest prices, click here
Accommodation Near Mt Cook
If you are going to exploring the wider Mackenzie Region, a great place to stay is in Twizel. Its only a 50 minute drive to Mt Cook, perfect for day trips and 35 minutes to Tekapo. It’s also close to the supermarket and a number of restaurant and cafes.
We highly recommend Highland Farm Stay Twizel for its two bedroom cottage or its executive barn for couples for its luxury rural living. New modern accommodation separate from the owners accommodation in the most tranquil rural setting.
You can check out our review of the Highland Farm Stay Twizel here
Bowen Bush Walk (10 mins)
The Bowen Bush walk is located right in Mt Cook Village. It is a cute 10 minute walk through some lovely bush. There are some stairs and undulation, but none of it is difficult as it is such a short walk.
If you are staying in Mt Cook Village, it would be great for a morning stroll, or is lovely for young kids. My two year old was carried on most of our Mt Cook walks, however she loved getting out and exploring by herself on this short walk.
The bush is dense, the birdsong is lovely and it is a good little stroll. But you don’t need to go out of your way to tick this off your Mount Cook New Zealand bucket list. It is just a little bush walk.
How to get to Bowen Bush Walk: Bowen Bush walk can be found on Bowen Drive, opposite (ish) the self service fuel station.
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier Viewpoint (40 mins return)
The Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks are pretty good Mount Cook walks if you are looking for bang for your buck – time vs views. This short walk will take about 20 minutes to reach the viewpoint, but it is up quite a lot of stairs.
The uphill stair climb is worth it though, and you reach a fantastic viewpoint over the Tasman Glacier Lake. Deep in behind the lake you will also be able to see the Tasman Glacier, frozen into the mountain. You are likely to see big icebergs floating in the lake, but the only way to reach the lake, is to head back down, and take the Tasman Glacier Lake Track (see below)
On your way up the stairs, there is a side trip to the Blue Lakes. These are small little alpine lakes that are quite pretty, so worth a wee look. It will only take a few minutes to head down to these.
The Tasman Glacier Viewpoint track will take about 30-40 minutes in total.
How to get to the Tasman Glacier walk: The Tasman Glacier carpark is well pinpointed on googlemaps, and can be found at the end of Tasman Glacier Road. Don’t miss the righthand side turnoff, off of State Highway 80. (If you hit the village or the Hooker Valley track sign, you’ve missed it and gone too far)
Tasman Glacier Lake Track (1 hour return)
The Tasman Glacier Track is a rocky flat track that leads you to the lake side of the Tasman Glacier Lake (funny that…) It isn’t too difficult, although my young kids did find it quite rocky at the time. They also got a little bored as it is quite a similar view until you reach the lake itself.
If you really want to head down to the water and see it from ground level, then this is a good track to walk, but I definitely think the views of the lake are better from above. Being up higher (on the Tasman Glacier View track) gives you a better perspective of the whole lake and area. So if you are going to do one of these tracks, try the viewpoint track above.
The Tasman Glacier hike will take about 1 hour return.
How to get to the Tasman Glacier Lake walk: The carpark is the same point as the view track above, at the end of Tasman Glacier Road.
If you are really keen to actually walk on the Tasman Glacier, then you could try out a Mount Cook Glacier walk with one of the local Mt Cook helicopter companies. They provided guided tours on the ice, all transported there by Mount Cook helicopter, or even a skiplane.
The famous Mount Cook Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return)
The Hooker Valley Track really is the hero of all the Mt Cook hikes. It is easily one of my favourite Mt Cook tracks. She is the Queen, the beauty of the area and encompasses everything you would want in a walk. If you only have time to do one walk in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, make it this one.
The 10km return track will take about 3 hours for most adults, and closer to 4 hours with kids. Do allow time for stops and exploring, as the kids are likely to want to climb up rocks and go across the swingbridge more than once.
There are three swingbridges on the Hooker Valley trail, all nicely spaced out which is a great incentive to keep going. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to see bright blue ice caves up in the mountains, New Zealand’s famous alpine parrot, the Kea, as well as incredible mountain views including Mt Cook.
The turnaround point for the track is at Hooker Lake. From here you will be able to see majestic views of Mt Cook (Aoraki) if the weather is clear and not too cloudy. You can head down to the lake side for some great photo opportunities. Walking the Hooker Valley Track winter hike is beautiful and you might be lucky enough to find icebergs and even a partially frozen lake.
How to get to the Hooker Valley Track Mt Cook: Head towards Mt Cook Village on State Highway 80 and just before you reach it, turn right onto Hooker Valley Road. Head to the end and park in the carpark here. Make sure you do this Hooker Valley hike, you certainly won’t regret it
***If you are looking for your first overnight walk with the family, then the Hooker Hut is a great one thats not far from the Hooker Valley Track.
Red Tarns Track (2 hours return)
The Red Tarns Track is an alternative uphill walk to the Sealy Tarns track, in half the time. The 2 hour walk will take you to a great viewpoint overlooking all of Mt Cook Village. You will see a panoramic view of the valley as well as her majesty herself, Aoraki Mount Cook.
There are a lot of stairs in this uphill walk, with an elevation gain of 300m. This walk also combines part of the Governors Bush Walk, so you will get a lovely bush walk along with your great views.
How to get to the Red Tarns Track Mt Cook: Just before the fuel station on Bowen Road, in Mt Cook Village you will find a carpark with shelter, toilets and a shower. You can park here to access the Governors Bush Walk as well as the Red Tarns Track
Kea Point Track (1 hour return)
The Kea Point Track is a great alternative to the Hooker Valley Track if you don’t have enough time or just want a Mt Cook short walk. This easy track will take about an hour return and takes you to a viewpoint over the Mueller Lake.
At Mueller Lake you will be able to see Mt Cook on a clear day. You cannot access Mueller Lake though, as the viewpoint is up on a click, overlooking the lake.
The track is easy and just mildly uphill. Only at the end does the shingle become more rocky, but this doesn’t last too long. We were a little unlucky as Mt Cook was covered in cloud, but we enjoyed the walk nonetheless.
If you have a baby, you could also push an offroad stroller such as a mountain buggy on this track. It will be a bit bumpy, but should be totally fine.
How to get to the Kea Point Track: The Kea Point walk starts in the same carpark as the Hooker Valley Track (above) as the end of Hooker Valley Road. The Kea Point Track heads to the left side on the mountain straight in front of you, and the Hooker Valley Track to the right.
Governors Bush Walk (1 hour return)
Not all Mt Cook National Park walks have mountains. The Governors Bush Walk is a one hour return walk which isn’t too steep, only a 100m elevation gain. Now I know that you didn’t come to the Mt Cook National Park to walk in the bush, but it is one of the best things to do in Mt Cook on a rainy day. The bush track is a bit more sheltered, so you won’t get completely soaked, although do bring a jacket of course.
So if it is wet, or really cloudy and you are wanting something to do that is outdoors, then this isn’t a bad option. The bush is lovely, you will be able to see and hear all types of birds, including the lovely piwakawaka (fantail), a favourite of mine.
How to get to Governors Bush Walk: Just before the fuel station on Bowen Road, in Mt Cook Village you will find a carpark with shelter, toilets and a shower. You can park here to access the Governors Bush Walk as well as the Red Tarns Track
Sealy Tarns Track (3-4 hours return)
The Sealy Tarns Track is the first on this Mt Cook walks list that really starts to head up in the mountains. What makes this track unique, is that it comprises of 2,200 stairs. Yes, that’s not a typo, two thousand two hundred stairs. (also known as the Stairway to Heaven)
So you do need to be fit to make it up to the Sealy Tarns. The good thing about this track though, is that it is very well maintained, and climbing stairs is much easier than crumbling rocks up the side of a mountain. This makes it easier and faster to climb… but yes I know, its still 2200 stairs.
A tarn is a small alpine lake so this is the point you are climbing too. The Sealy tarn itself is not hugely impressive, although on a clear day, you may be able to get some reflections in the lake.
The reason you are climbing the Sealy Tarns track is for the views of Mt Cook and Mueller Lake below. You will get a great sense of the whole of the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
The Sealy Tarns Track has an elevation gain of 600m, with the whole track being a bit under 6km. It will take about 3-4 hours return, depending on how fast you walk the stairs and how many breaks you take. If you are keen to learn more about hiking the Sealy Tarns Track, check out this article here
The Sealy Tarns track also continues on Mueller Hut. So if you choose to hike to Mueller Hut, you will also be doing the Sealy Tarns track too. See more on the Mueller Hut hike below
Mueller Hut Track: Mount Cook Day Walk or Overnight Hike (6-8 hours return)
The Mueller Hut walk, one of the best South Island walks, is not for the faint hearted and one that requires some preparation. This hike will take 4-5 hours to reach the Mueller Hut itself, where you can stay overnight, or head back down. The views from the famous red hut are spectacular and the views of the stars at night are some of the best in the world. Don’t miss sunrise and sunset up here. Such a treat and an experience to be remembered forever.
The first part of the Mueller Hut Track is the Sealy Tarns walk that encompasses 2200 stairs. She’s a calf burner, but you will be thankful the track terrain is easy and well maintained, making it much easier than an offroad tramping track.
After the Sealy Tarns Track, the track is much less maintained and becomes a tramping track. This means you follow markers up the mountain and make your own way between the markers.
How long does it take to hike to Mueller Hut: It will take about 2 hours to reach Sealy Tarns and a further two hours to reach Mueller Hut.
Safety on the Mueller Hut Track
From here it is important to note that as this is alpine country, the weather is extremely changeable and volatile and you must be well prepared. Weather can change in minutes, so make sure you have appropriate jackets and thermalwear. Hiking boots are also important as the surface is rocky and unstable.
The Mueller Hut Track is best hiked between Mid November and April. There is less avalanche risk at this time of the year and less snow covering, making the track easier to find. In summer, there is often snow for the last part of the climb to Mueller Hut, however you shouldn’t need crampons for this small section.
There is a great video by the Mountain Safety Council that shows the hike from an aerial view and highlights some points to be careful of. It will give you a great idea of the hike, much better than I can write, so check it out here.
Booking Mueller Hut overnight
You can book Mueller Hut on the Department of Conservation booking system online. The Hut must be booked between November and April, otherwise you can pay on the day at the Aoraki Mt Cook DOC visitor centre. Its a good ideas to check in at the DOC Visitor Centre in Mt Cook Village before you head up this track as they have a good idea of the weather conditions and can double check you have made it ok.
As at August 2020, it costs $45 per adult and $22.50 per child over 5. Staying overnight after hiking one of the most epic Mount Cook walks will be truly memorable, and views like this for this cheap price just can’t be beaten.
How to get to the Mueller Hut Track:
Park in the Whitehorse Hill Campground area carpark, the same place you leave for the Hooker Valley walk.
Glencoe Walk, Mt Cook National Park (30 mins return)
The Glencoe walk is a short 30 minute return walk behind the Hermitage Hotel. There are a few stairs and zig zags, so a small bit of uphill, but the track isn’t long. If you are looking for some great things to do in Mt Cook with kids, then this short track is a good one. We know our kids can walk and hike, but we know for other families, it’s not quite their thing. So this is a good wee one to give the kids a run around without having to endure hours.
They also say it’s a good little spot for sunrise or sunset, but we haven’t tested this out yet.
How to get to the Glencoe Walk, Mt Cook: Drive up to the Hermitage Hotel and walk to the back of the property, and the start of the track is on the righthand side.
Expert Mt Cook Hikes and Climbing Mt Cook
All of the above are well trodden paths, but even still, you have to be careful of the ever changing alpine conditions and be well prepared.
Climbing Mt Cook and accessing back country huts can be an amazing experience. There are some backcountry huts that you can access in Mt Cook National Park with climbing and tramping experience.
If you are keen, but need some help, there are also a number of Aoraki Mt Cook Guiding companies such as Alpine Guides who are very experienced and know the area well who can help guide you on your adventure. They also have equipment you can hire such as crampons and ice axes which will definitely be important in winter.
If you are new to New Zealand alpine conditions, even if you are used to mountains in other countries, we highly recommend you check out information from New Zealand’s Mountain Safety Council. The Mount Cook Summit is not an easy climb and has claimed many lives, despite it not being a terribly high altitude mountain, as far as climbing goes.
If this type of advanced tramping and hiking is your sort of thing, you may wish to check out some of these resources and articles.
Other awesome things to do in Mt Cook National Park, besides hiking
Take a scenic flight
Flying over Mt Cook National Park will give you access to the most incredible views. You could take a Mt Cook helicopter flight, or even a skiplane, or with some companies, the chance to do both in one Mount Cook tour.
You can choose to have an alpine landing, or even take a Mt Cook glacier guiding walk, right on the Tasman Glacier. There are some epic ice caves that are a blue colour that really has to be seen to be believed. If you are not hiking, or want to see a different point of view, then this is one of the best Mt Cook activities.
Try these companies to book a scenic flight
- Ski plane and helicopter duo flight with Inflite
- Hike on the Tasman Glacier, exploring snow caves includes flight (12 years+)
- The Helicopter Line (Leaves from Glentanner Holiday Park)
- Mount Cook Airlines (Leaves from Mt Cook Airport)
Go heliskiing
If you love to ski, then you will love skiing on fresh powder and having the mountain practically all to yourself. Mt Cook Skiing trips can provide up to 6-8 runs from a helicopter for the day.
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
If you are looking for what to do in Mt Cook on a rainy day, try the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. It has a small museum section, where they also play the Hillary tv series (a great mini series documenting Hillarys life) as well as a movie theatre with a 3D film give you an aerial view of Mt Cook and other Mt Cook documentaries that play throughout the day.
They do charge an admission fee, but it gives you access for 48 hours, so you can come and go as you please, around your Mt Cook walks.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre can be found inside the Hermitage Hotel, one of the most beautiful Mt Cook hotels.
Go camping
Getting out with nature and just enjoying the fresh mountain air is terribly therapeutic. Two great places to camp are the DOC campsite, Whitehorse Hill Campground, a bare bones campground right at the beginning of the Hooker Valley Track. Its a great spot if you want to see the beautiful Hooker Valley Lake at sunrise or sunset.
Or you can try Glentanner Holiday Park, just 20 minutes from Mt Cook Village. You will pass it on the drive in from Lake Pukaki. It has a campground with an awesome outdoor bbq (covered), as well as a kitchen and lounge area. It has more facilities, as well as cabins and motel style accommodation, compared to the DOC campground
See icebergs up close on a Tasman Lake guided kayak tour
Kayaking is an awesome way to see the icebergs up close, as you are so low to the water, you can just feel their stature. Your guide will explain about how the Tasman glacier moves and about the beautiful natural surroundings. Find out more about these tours by clicking here
Boat Trip on the Tasman Glacier Lake
If you are looking for an unique thing to do at Mt Cook, then taking a boat cruise, right up to the ice bergs is surely one of them. The short guided walk leads you to the lake, where a guide will explain all about the changing landscapes. Click here for the latest prices
Grab a bite with a view
Nothing beats a hot cuppa, something sweet and a beautiful mountain view in the winter. Or hey, a cold beer in the summer overlooking those awesome mountains. Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, you will still be able to enjoy the mountain experience.
Try out the Old Mountaineers Cafe or the Hermitage Hotel with their big open windows.
Phew you made it through the list… what do you think is the best Mount Cook track? Have you done any yet? Come and chat with us about it over on Instagram and Facebook… Mt Cook walking trails are one of my favourite things.
A few more resources
- Here is a great Mt Cook Map -with all the Mt Cook hikes on it
- More walks around Lake Pukaki, Tekapo and Canterbury
Jennifer
Founder of Backyard Travel Family
Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space
Jen has three young children, 6 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.
