Hooker Valley Track

This hike is one of the most popular tracks around Mount Cook and it's easy to see why. The stunning views of Mount Cook as you make your way through the Hooker Valley, the bouncy suspension bridges, boardwalks over the tussock and frequent viewpoints/lookouts make for a great trek. 

The sign at the entrance says 1 hour and 35mins but be aware that this is only one way! It will take around 3-4hours depending on whether you start from the village, the DOC visitor centre or from the White Horse Hill campground. 

After you've conquered the swing bridges, marvelled at the colour of the water that rushes downstream and spotted unique New Zealand alpine flora and fauna like the Kea (New Zealand's native parrot and the only alpine parrot), Celmisia (a member of the sunflower family, although small and white) and the Mount Cook buttercup/kōpukupuku, you'll be rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Hooker Glacier terminal lake, complete with floating icebergs, at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mount Cook, or 'Aoraki' as the Maori's call it which means "cloud piercer". 

Return the same way and you'll see the valley from a different perspective with views down the valley and across to Sealy Range.

A reasonable level of fitness is required although the path is wide and reasonably flat with only a few gentle gradients.