Walk Hooker Valley

The walk starts at the car park (which has flush toilets year-round). Follow signs to Hooker Valley and begin your meandering hike to the valley below Mt Cook.

The hike is quite forgiving and the route is very well-maintained. As the track approaches the first swing bridge there is a viewing point of Mueller's Glacier, and after crossing the Hooker River you will continue on the path to the second swing bridge. Here, the valley starts to open up and tussock dominates the landscape. As you head towards the third swing bridge you will start to approach the source of the Hooker River. As you walk, keep your eye out for the first glimpses of Mt. Cook from behind the mountains. You will pass several viewing points and a small hut that has toilets open in the summer as you approach Mt. Cook. The track ends at the glacier lake, with stunning views of Mt. Cook, Hooker Glacier, and the Southern Alps. There is a large picnic table to eat lunch or rest at or you can continue down to the lakefront and admire the view on the large boulders around the river.

Pro tip: This is a very popular day walk and gets quite busy even in the winter. If you don't want your views of Aoraki to be spoiled by tourists, be sure to start out fairly early in the morning.