The Hooker Valley Track is perhaps one of our favourite hikes in Aotearoa. It’s the hike we recommend to anyone who asks and even some who don’t! If you are visiting the South Island of New Zealand, this has to be up there on your list of top things to do.
If you aren’t an avid hiker, then don’t fret, this one isn’t too hard, and the reward at the end is well and truly worth it! Here is everything you need to know about the Hooker Valley hike. If these photos don’t convince you to give it a go, we don’t know what will.
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Details
Starting Point: White Horse Hill Campsite
Distance: 10km
Duration: 3hrs we took 4.5hrs as we stopped for photos and to watch the sunset
Difficulty: Easy
When: All year round as long as there are no weather warnings.
Local Iwi: Ngāi Tahu or Kāi Tahu
Additional Information: Our favourite time to do this hike is for sunset. We time the hike, so we get to Hooker Lake to watch the sunset over Aoraki (Mt Cook).
Trail Map
Getting to the Starting Point of the Hooker Valley Track
The drive out to Aoraki is incredibly scenic. Give yourself time to stop for photos, especially if you are hoping to get ‘The Road to Aoraki’ shot. The walk starts from the campground. We highly recommend staying here the night if you are in a camper or tent. This makes it easier to do the hike at sunset too. If you are going to time your walk to Hooker Lake to watch the sunset, be sure to pack your head-torch for the walk back, as you’ll be doing it in the dark. We really loved the walk back with all the stars and took about as long taking night shots as we did taking sunset pics!
The Trail
This is arguably the easiest trail for the most reward. Along the hike you cross suspension bridges, see stunning glacial water flowing along the rivers and an actual glacier at the end of Hooker Lake. The lake itself always has icebergs in it when we’ve visited too! Not to mention the views you get of Aoraki, the impressive 3274m high mountain, watching over you as you walk. The trail is rather flat, making it a good track for varying abilities. It is a very popular hike, so best to go either early or late to avoid the crowds.
Mueller Lake Lookout
It’s kind of unbelievable how flat this walk and the valleys here are given how incredibly close you are the Aotearoa’s tallest mountain. It makes for stunning views and a genuine sense of awe. Don’t get us wrong, there are a few gentle climbs on the track, like the one to get to Mueller Lake lookout. But they are very easy to tackle and are few and far between.
This first lookout gives you a glimpse over one of the three suspension bridges of the walk. It’s worth stopping here to take in the view and get excited for what’s to come along this hike. This view is only the start!
Aoraki Village Lookout
After crossing the suspension bridge over Hooker Valley River, you’ll walk along the well formed track to find some wooden steps leading to a lookout platform. Be sure to walk up these as the view back to Aoraki village is beautiful. We witnessed a lot of people miss these steps entirely and honestly, it’s one of our favourite spots to stop along this hike. We spent a good 30mins here getting this starry night shot!
Tussock Grass
From the Aoraki village lookout you’ll come across the second suspension bridge and follow the river a way before veering off onto a boardwalk section over the tussock grass. The views of Aoraki along this boardwalk are outstanding! Tiff loves a good boardwalk and we take a pic here every-time we come! It’s particularly impressive when it’s covered in snow.
Hooker Lake Viewpoint
You’ll meet the only real climb of this hike just before reaching Hooker Lake. Don’t fret though, it’s not hard and very much worth the small amount of effort it takes. You come out onto a seating area and viewing platform for Hooker Lake. The lake itself is usually home to a good amount of icebergs that have broken off from the glacier you can see at the lake’s end.
From here, you can walk down to the shore to dip your fingers into the icy cold water. When we were last here, the lake was covered in a thin layer of ice, which was so much fun to snap. If you’re lucky enough to find the lake relatively devoid of people, you can hear the ice crackling as the water moves it up against the rocks.
If you’ve timed the walk well, this is where you can watch the sunset and witness the snow turning pink on Aoraki. It’s magic! When you’ve taken it all in or the last glow has retreated from the mountain, you can turn your headlight on and retrace your steps back to the campsite.
Extra Tips/Info for the Hooker Valley Track
If you are planning to watch the sunset over Aoraki at Hooker Valley/Lake, be sure to pack appropriately, as it gets very cold here at night! The walk back under the stars is well worth the cold. We got back to the van and put the heater on right away before boiling the kettle for a warm cup of tea. If you don’t have the means to stay at the campsite, Aoraki/Mt Cook village is only a 3km drive away and has accommodation options.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
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- Day Hike – Te Kauwae-a-Māui/Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve
- 4 Freedom Camping Apps to Make New Zealand Travel Simple!
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