Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

Looking for the best backpacking in Mount Cook National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Cook National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Mount Cook National Park

  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Climb to Mueller Hut

    5.0
    6.4 mi / 3000 ft gain
    This trek begins in the gateway town of Mount Cook Village, which is a must-visit destination in its own right, and serves as the jumping off point for most Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park ventures. Drive to the White Horse Hill Campground (follow the signs for the Hooker Valley) and park in the ...
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  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Climb Mt. Ollivier

    5.0
    7 mi / 3436 ft gain
    Start on the track from the White Horse Hill campground. Follow the track up almost 2,000 steps until you reach Sealy Tarns. From here the track continues steeply up the mountain until you reach the ridge. Continue over the ridge until reaching the hut. From here continue up the ridge to the summ...
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  • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

    Hike to Muller Hut

    6.2 mi / 5905.5 ft gain
    One of the most spectacular hikes in New Zealand next to New Zealand's highest mountain - Mount Cook (aka Aoraki).5.2km one way, it is a tough ascent. The first part of the track ascends to Sealy tarns. This involves climbing zig zag stairs where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over ...
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  • Karangarua, New Zealand

    Backpack to the Welcome Flat Hut

    5.0
    11.2 mi / 1378 ft gain
    The Welcome Flat Hut is more of a local destination than a tourist one. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier both see heaps of visitors on any given day, mainly for small-scale adventures. But, if you're looking to get away from some of the crowds and experience the Westland area at a slightly more intens...
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  • Westland National Park, New Zealand

    Camp on Alex Knob

    4.0
    11 mi / 3800 ft gain
    From Highway 6 on the New Zealand South Island's west coast, take the Glacier Access Road for 2km to where the signposted Alex Knob track begins. There will be a obvious parking lot on the right.The trail begins at the parking lot breaks off to the left from the Lake Wombat trail about a half-mil...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack MacPherson Creek to Lake Barra

    5.0
    7.5 mi / 5249.3 ft gain
    If you’re ready for an advanced challenge to suit any adventurous spirit and have the skills to navigate complicated terrain then the narrow MacPherson Creek drainage on the fringes of Mount Aspiring National Park may grab your interest. Diving in from the MacPherson Creek bridge on the Haast Roa...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack the Brewster Hut Track

    5.0
    11.2 mi / 5656 ft gain
    Twenty kilometers north of Haast Pass (568m/1864ft) there is a carpark for Fantail Falls, a beautiful waterfall with numerous rock cairns displayed at its base. From here, take a 3-4 hour hike along Brewster Hut Track (more like climb) through beech forest and then alpine tussock to reach Brewste...
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