When I visited Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, I felt like I’d wandered into a fairytale.
I know how that sounds, but honestly, it’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited!
At 3,724 metres high, Mount Cook is a challenge for the most experienced mountain climbers, but for the vast majority of us it is merely a beautiful landmark best seen from other walking tracks in the area.
One of these is the beautiful and easy-going Hooker Valley Track.
This track is a 10km return on relatively flat terrain and takes about 3 hours to complete if you factor in photo opportunities.
Mount Cook is visible for almost the whole outward journey and I couldn’t stop taking photos of it!
Swing bridges and avalanches
The track starts at White Horse Hill campground, run by DOC at $15 per person, if you fancy camping at the foot of the mountains.
There are three swing bridges along the route, each one with gorgeous views.
The first comes quite soon after the start of the track, over the Hooker River.
Up to your left you can see Mount Sefton with Mueller Lake below it.
Listen out for distant rumbles from this mountain as there are often avalanches: we heard one on our way back and turned in time to see the end of it!
The track has been laid out so that you are not in any avalanche areas, so you can watch them from a safe distance.
In addition to crossing swing bridges, you will also pass through an area of small hills and moraines made from debris left by the Hooker glacier.
The track then continues on a boardwalk across an open valley of tussock land and finally climbs up the final moraine to reveal Hooker Lake before you.
The Destination: Hooker Lake & Glacier
What a sight!
The entirety of Mount Cook towers ahead and you can just see the end of Hooker Glacier directly below it at the end of the lake.
The lake itself is often frozen or has icebergs floating above the surface, which makes for an incredible view.
From the viewpoint at the end of the track, you can make your way down to the lakeside for some glorious photo opportunities.
Despite the icy wind that was blowing when I visited, I still consider this one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.
Can you believe that you can get to an area as stunning as this from just one hour of easy, flat walking?
This has to be one of the best value walks in New Zealand!
Once you’ve taken enough photos, simply retrace your steps back to the campground car park.
It’s easy to see why so many people flock to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and why it is so special to the Maori people.
Please ensure that you respect your surroundings and keep this magical place beautiful! ๐
Have you ever been to this area of New Zealand before? Is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!
Want more like this? Check out these articles:
- Great Barrier Island’s most beautiful day hike
- Day hike essentials: what to pack
- Moving to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa
All images in this post are the property of lastminutewanders.com
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