A Guide to Hiking the Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand!
Last Updated: 27th September, 2023
The Hooker Valley Track is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful walks in the South Island of New Zealand! Located in the magnificent Aoraki Mt Cook National Park in Canterbury, this is an easy walking track that winds its way up the breathtaking Hooker Valley, across suspension bridges and through alpine meadows, to the Hooker glacial lake. This is an awesome half-day hike for people of all skill levels to get out and experience the spectacular Aoraki Mt Cook National Park!
Your Complete Guide to Hiking the Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular and accessible tracks in the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, and an awesome way to explore this incredible alpine landscape! The following guide will walk you through all you need to know before hiking the Hooker Valley Track, including how to get there, the best time to go
Hooker Valley Trail Stats
- Hike Length: 10 km return via the same track
- Walking Time: ~3 – 3.5 hours return, including lots of snack and photo breaks!
- Trail Difficulty: This is an easy walk along a mostly flat trail, with a few sets of stairs along the way.
- Fitness Required: A low level of fitness is required
Map of the Hooker Valley Track
When is the Best Time to Hike the Hooker Valley Track
The best time to hike the Hooker Valley Track is in the early morning. This is one of the most popular walks in the Mt Cook National Park (and probably in New Zealand!) and so it can get packed with hikers, especially in the busy summer months. If you start the walk early in the morning, you are more likely to avoid the crowds, making the walk a lot more peaceful (and you can get better pictures!)
Hiking in Summer
Hiking the Hooker Valley Track in the summer months (December to February) is beautiful. This is the warmest time of the year, with daytime temperatures averaging at around 25 – 30°C, so make sure to bring your sunscreen! The landscape is vibrant during the summer months, with gold-green alpine tussock filling the valley, and a variety of wildflowers, including the Mt Cook buttercup, in bloom.
The only downside to hiking the Hooker Valley Track in summer is that this is peak tourist season, and so the trail can get very busy!
Hiking in Winter
Hiking the Hooker Valley Track in winter (June to August) is a completely different but equally incredible experience. The temperature is much colder, with daytime highs averaging around 5-10°C, and often dropping into the negatives overnight. Snowfall is common, coating the Hooker Valley and transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland!
The landscape along the track during winter is breathtaking, surrounded by magnificent snow-covered mountains. The Hooker lake is often frozen over, making for a unique photo opportunity at the end of the hike! However, if you are planning to hike the Hooker Valley Track in winter, make sure you have proper warm clothing, and check in with the Visitor Center for any track updates before you set off!
How to get to the Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is located in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, in the center of the South Island of New Zealand. The best way to reach this national park is by car, as it is in a remote location and public transport options are limited!
By Car:
The easiest way to reach the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is by driving! The closest towns are Twizel or Lake Tekapo, which are around an hours drive away. Luckily, this is one of the most beautiful journeys in the South Island, and makes for an incredible day-trip! The road follows the stunning Lake Pukaki, and is very well-maintained and easy to drive.
The Hooker Valley Track begins at the White Horse Hill Campground and carpark, at the end of Hooker Valley Road. It is around a 5 minute drive (3.2km) from the Mt Cook Visitor Center in the village.
By Guided Tour:
If you are super keen to do the Hooker Valley Track, but are unable to drive, then it’s still possible to get there! There are a number of tours and transport options that can take you from big cities around the South Island (such as Queenstown or Christchurch) into the Mt Cook National Park. From here, there is a short 30-minute walk that can take you from the village to the beginning of the Hooker Valley Track!
What to Expect when Hiking the Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is an out-and-back track that starts at the White Horse Hill Campsite, only a few minutes drive from Mt Cook Village. The track is well-maintained and easy to follow, and is mostly made up of gravel path or beautiful wooden boardwalks!
White Horse Hill Carpark to First Lookout
The first section of the hike winds its way through lush green alpine meadows and low-lying scrub, before passing close to the Alpine Memorial and Freda’s Rock. From here, the track continues on until you reach the stunning Lake Muller Lookout. This lookout is an awesome rest-stop, with sweeping views along the Hooker River and the first impressive suspension bridge!
Freda’s Rock is named after the incredible Freda du Faur, the first woman ever to climb Aoraki/ Mt Cook in 1910. This rock is the site where her now-famous photograph was taken after her first successful ascent of the mountain! Pretty amazing!
This first section is around a 15-minute walk to the Mueller Lake Lookout. The track surface is firm clay with only a gentle incline, making it suitable for wheelchairs and buggies!
The Second Swing Bridge
From the Muller Lookout, the track winds its way downhill until it reaches the first of the three swing bridges. These are so much fun, and offer some of the most incredible views of the whole walk! The bridges are very stable and solid, so don’t worry about it shaking too much as you cross. From the bridge, you can watch the wild, milky-blue water of the Hooker River rush below you as it makes its way out to Lake Pukaki.
The walk to the second suspension bridge takes around 30-40 minutes, and travels between old moraine ridges and humps that have been pushed up by a glacier! There is a little bit more of a climb in this section, but it is very manageable, and there are steps to make the steeper bits easier. From the path, you will get glimpses of the Hooker River to your left, as it tumbles over rocks on its way to the Mueller Lake.
The second suspension bridge is the longest of the three, and has the best view of the massive Mount Sefton! Take a minute to enjoy the magnificent views, and listen for the rumbling of avalanches rolling down its steep slopes.
The Third Swing Bridge and Hooker Lake!
As soon as you cross the second suspension bridge, the landscape around the track opens up into golden tussock and changes from gravel path to a beautiful wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk winds through the lush valley and alongside the Hooker River, with loads of incredible sights and photo opportunities along the way!
At this point, you have reached the half-way point along the track to Hooker Lake! If needed, there are some basic public toilets, located around 15-minutes walk after the second suspension bridge.
After crossing the third (and final) suspension bridge, it is only a short walk to the final destination – the Hooker Lake! This stunning glacial lake is nestled at the foot of the magnificent Mount Cook, and makes for a truly impressive sight (and a great photo!). From the viewpoint, you can scramble down a small path to the shores of the lake, and soak up the incredible scenery. One of the highlights of the Hooker Lake are the mini icebergs floating in it, even during the warm summer months!
Once you’re done soaking up the incredible views, you can retrace your steps along the path back to White Horse Hill Campsite. I usually find this boring, but its so stunning seeing the scenery and views from a different angle, its almost like doing a whole other walk!
Tips for Hiking the Hooker Valley Track:
Check the Weather!
The weather in the Aoraki Mt Cook region can change very quickly! In this alpine environment, it’s common to experience strong winds, heavy snowfall, and rapid temperature changes at any time, and so it’s important to check the weather forecast and be prepared!
If bad weather or strong winds are forecast, the Hooker Valley Track will close at the gate at the first swing bridge. You can check for closures here or at the Visitors Center!
Amenities along the Track
As this is such a popular track, it has a good number of amenities along the route! Here are some of the most important to know:
- Wheelchair accessible toilets at the White Horse Hill Campground
- A public shelter with tables and potable (treated) drinking water at the White Horse Hill Campground – fill up your bottles here before you begin!
- There are toilets at Stocking Stream halfway along the walk
- Picnic tables just past the second swing bridge and at the Hooker Lake Lookout!
Packing List for the Hooker Valley Track
It’s pretty easy to be prepared for this short walk, and you don’t need any special equipment! Here is a good guide for what to bring on your hike:
Essentials
- A Backpack
- A drink bottle – at least 1 litre
- Lots of snacks (my favourite part!)
- Fully-charged mobile Phone
- Sunscreen
Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A sun hat or beanie
- Sunglasses
- A long-sleeved warm top
- A wind and water-proof jacket
