Hooker Valley Track: The Best Day Walk in New Zealand

Hooker Valley Track, Mt Cook National Park

updated September 2023

The Hooker Valley Track in the Mount Cook National Park has to be one of the most stunning and easiest day walks in the country.  When I first moved to the South Island, I had never heard of it.  In fact, I just googled a walk that looked like we could manage with kids.  But boy, was I surprised to witness the sheer beauty and magnitude of those mountains and glacier.

There have been a few occasions where, in my own country, I’ve been totally wowed and shocked that this is where I live.  This is one of them.  So as you can tell, I’m a fan! (I can’t believe I hadn’t found this Mount Cook track before)

The Hooker Valley Track has three incredible swing bridges, beautiful views of the Southern Alps and icy blue glaciers and culminates in a stunning views of Aoraki Mt Cook itself.  The Hooker Lake at the Mt Cook Viewpoint sometimes freezes over in winter, but its unlikely to be strong enough to wander on safely.  This really is a Mt Cook track that has to be seen to be believed.

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How long does the Hooker Valley Track take?

The Hooker Valley Track is a 3 hour, 10km walk across boardwalks, bridges and compacted dirt.  You do not need tramping boots and I imagine there are a number of kiwis who would do it in their jandals in the summer, although I wouldn’t be keen to do that.

For children, allow 4-5 hours including stops for lunch and a few obligatory swing bridge crossings (multiple times because swing bridges are awesome)  The beautiful Mount Cook Hooker Valley walk really is worth it, even with little ones.

Word of warning on the drive to Mt Cook National Park

You will definitely need your own transport to explore here, but this means you can stop numerous times, as you trip around the icy blue Lake Pukaki and head towards the Southern Alps.  Please make sure you park somewhere well off the road before you take your picture for the ‘gram,” as we have come across so many dangerous parkings, people in the road with tripods (hello! 100km road here)  So please take care for everyones sake.

Where does the Hooker Valley Track start?

The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campsite at the end of the Hooker Valley Road.  Park up, last chance to use the toilets here, take a look up at Mt Cook and head to the right where your track will begin.

The Hooker track is flat, winds around the river and you end up at a beautiful glacial lake under the Southern Alps.  When we were here, it was very windy so plan ahead, depending on the temperatures and Hooker Valley weather forecast.  The hardest part of this walk will be taking a photo without all the people in it.

The Hooker Valley Track starts to the right, whereas the Kea Point Track, Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut Track start to the left.  Don’t go the wrong way!

Can you walk the Hooker Valley Track with kids?

Yes, definitely!  Walking the Hooker Valley Track with kids is such a great experience.  The whole track is said to take about 3 hours, but allow 4-5 hours for the whole experience, including lunch at the picnic tables and a chance to throw stones across the lake.

While the track is flat, it is still a 10km return walk, so a decent distance for young hikers.  The three swing bridges are nicely spaced, so this will provide some incentive to keep walking for those younger family members.

Toddlers can definitely give the track a go, but do bring a backpack to carry them in.

Also worth a look is the Alpine Memorial, a tribute to those who have died in Mt Cook National Park.

Highlights of the Hooker Valley Track

There is a reason that the Hooker Valley walk is the most popular Mt Cook walk and a New Zealand must do.  Beautiful scenery, an easy walk and stunning in all weather

Here are some of favourite highlights of the track

• 3 awesome swingbridges
• The first views from the first swingbridge and Mt Sefton are stunning
• Watching avalanches career down the mountainside.  (don’t worry, a very safe distance)
• The boardwalk with mountain views
• Having a picnic stop at the picnic tables at Hooker Lake
• In winter there can be icebergs and part of the lake can be frozen
• Obviously the amazing view of Mt Cook at Hooker Lake
• Side Trip or Overnight at Hooker Hut just a short detour on the Hooker Valley Track

Hooker Hut, Mt Cook National Park

The Hooker Hut is the oldest hut in Mt Cook National Park.  It has been renovated and relocated just off the Hooker Valley Track.

How to find the Hooker Hut:  Just past the toilets, around the half way point of the Hooker Valley Track, there is a trodden track to the left that runs into the tussock.  Follow this then picked up the orange markers that will lead to the Hooker Hut.

Booking the Hooker Hut:  The Hooker Hut can be booked online at the Department of Conservation website.  There are only 8 beds and this is a very popular walk for families so make sure you book well ahead of time if you plan to visit during weekends or school holidays.

Inside the Hooker Hut:  A 8 bed bunk setup, fireplace, gas cooker and a toilet outside.

Mt Cook Weather

It doesn’t feel like it but Mt Cook Village is 750m above sea level.  You can be forgiven for thinking the area is flat, but it does snow here in the winter.  Even in the summer, it is often cooler here, especially in the early morning and evenings.

I highly recommend bringing a lot of layers when staying here.  In April, for example, the day started out at 0C so we layered up for our hike, but by midday we were stripped down to one layer again.  So in a nutshell, the weather at Mt Cook is changeable, so be ready for anything.  This Mount Cook walk is beautiful at any time of the year, no time is a bad time.

Accommodation in Mt Cook National Park

Camping in Mt Cook National Park

If you have a campervan or are camping in the South Island, you can stay at the DOC campsite, White Horse Campground.  There are no bookings for this campsite so it is on a first come, first served basis.  In summer, this can get busy, so don’t arrive too late.  If you are after some power and some further creature comforts, then try the Glentanner Holiday Park on the edge of Lake Pukaki.  The location is stunning and it is only a 20 minute drive to Mt Cook Village.

Glentanner have a great bbq area and well equipped kitchens.  Even rice cookers, so we had everything we needed when we stayed here.  Find out the prices at Glentanner Holiday Park here

Mid Range Accommodation in Mt Cook Village

Mt Cook Lodge and Motel has a great option for families in their one bedroom apartment with extra beds in the lounge area.  Breakfast is often included and there is a shuttle to the Hermitage Hotel to make the most of their restaurant and facilities.

You can check out the prices and availability here: Prices at Mt Cook Lodge

Luxury Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook National Park

The Hermitage Mt Cook Hotel has some of the best views of the mountains.  In fact, if exploring the area wasn’t so fun, you could just want to lie in bed and look at the view.  This 4 star accommodation also has a full restaurant where kids 0-5 years old dine for free.  You can also access the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre from here.  It is only a few minutes drive to the Hooker Valley walk from here too.

You will want to see photos of this beautiful place, so click here to find them: Hermitage Mt Cook Hotel Accommodation

Other short walks in Mt Cook National Park and surrounding areas

Although the Hooker Valley hike is one of my favourites, there are many more Mt Cook walks and other fun things to do in the surrounding areas of Twizel and Tekapo.

• A list of all the Mt Cook Walks and Hikes here
• Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Track (30 mins return) Easy track with young ones
• Tasman Glacier Lake Track (1 hour return)
• Kea Point Track (1 hour return)
• Sealy Tarns track (3-4 hours return) 2200 stairs, so not with young kids unless you carry them and you are fit!  Great views if you can make it work.
• Red Tarns Track: 2 hour return walk, steep with stairs
• Mt John Summit Walk, Tekapo (1.5-2 hours return)
• Things to do in Tekapo
• Omarama Clay Cliffs: awesome rocks formations about 90 mins south of here