Hooker Valley Track

The breath-taking 10.5 km Hooker Valley Track is an out and back trail rated as medium and suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Located near Mount Cook Village within New Zealand's Aoraki, Mount Cook National Park. The trail is predominantly flat, easy to follow and is well maintained path, with some short, inclines and steps. The route starts at the White Horse Hill Campground and car park at the end of Hooker Valley Road, with plenty of parking spaces and toilets. Although it does get busy, so it’s advised to arrive early for parking. More toilets are also located halfway along the walk at Stocking Stream. Known for its spectacular far-reaching views of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, the Mueller Glacier, Hooker Lake, and at the end of the trail, Mount Cook itself, it’s a trail not to be missed and best on a clear day. The trail crosses three swing bridges on route (the second bridge may be closed in high winds) and takes in the sacred Tōpuni region of the Hooker Valley as the path winds through moraines, vegetation, and open grassland along the valley. The trail ends with breath-taking views over Hooker Lake dotted with icebergs, Mount Cook, and the Southern Alps its backdrop. Camping is available at the nearby White Horse Hill Campground which has its own car park. Bookings are required and the facilities include a sixty non-powered tent sites, shelter for cooking, flush toilets, and treated water. Based on our data, the trail is graded as medium. For information on how we grade trails, please click here. Also, check our latest community posts for trail updates.This trail can be completed in approx 3 hours. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.