We had some absolute musts on our New Zealand itinerary, and one of them was to revisit the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

It’s a spectacular day hike in stunning surroundings — a hike we still cherish 20 years after we last did it.

Preparing for the Hike

After a good night’s sleep in our Twizel hut, we dressed appropriately in woolly base layers, fleeces, and windstoppers. The weather in high alpine areas can change in seconds, and there’s no need to get caught out with too few clothes. Our backpacks were stuffed with Primaloft jackets, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.

First stop, as the sun rose, was the coffee wagon in Twizel for some much-needed caffeine fuel.

The Scenic Drive from Twizel to Mount Cook

From Twizel, it’s a 50-minute drive — and what a spectacular drive it is — to the Mount Cook / Hooker Valley Track car park at the trailhead. The road takes you alongside Lake Pukaki, with Mount Cook towering in the background, growing bigger and bigger as you approach.

A slight digression: the plains and mountainside on the right as you near the end of the valley, just after the airport, were used as the base for the Pelennor Fields and Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in The Lord of the Rings.

Starting the Hooker Valley Track

We arrived around 8 a.m., and the parking area was almost empty. We laced up our hiking boots and set off on the trail into Hooker Valley.

The hike is about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) return — easy to moderate — and takes around 3 hours, not including elevenses or second breakfast.

Highlights Along the Trail

The first lookout is over Lake Mueller, a large glacial lake once filled with icebergs, though those have mostly disappeared in recent years. The first swing bridge comes soon after.

After crossing the second swing bridge, you’ll see a huge moraine (stone deposit) from old glaciers on your left, and before long the spectacular Hooker Valley and Mount Cook reveal themselves on your right.

The weather was slightly against us — Mount Cook was shrouded in clouds — and though we were a little disappointed, we pushed on up the amazing valley. Disappointed is maybe wrong to say, it was magical looking at the clouds covering and uncovering the mountains like huge blankets being dragged across them. We also had a plethora of rainbows popping up at different times of our hike. 

After the third swing bridge, there’s a gentle incline and a nice little detour to a tarn, before cresting a ridge where Hooker Lake spreads out before you in all its splendour.

Hooker Lake and Mount Cook Views

The sheer cliffs all around, with glaciers clinging like curtains to the mountainsides, frame the landscape and make the whole scene feel like a Lord of the Rings outtake.

We walked down to the water’s edge — it was windy, and remnants of ice blocks floated in the milky-blue lake.

Mount Cook still refused to show itself, and we saw many people turning back toward the trailhead. We decided to wait it out for a while, eating lunch at the huge picnic table overlooking the lake and chatting with fellow travellers as we hoped for a glimpse of the peak.

Lo and behold — Mount Cook! The clouds finally lifted, and we were gifted the sight of Aoraki, the Cloud Piercer, for the first time in 20 years. It was spectacular.

The Journey Back

On the way back, the crowds that hadn’t started as early as we had were now thickening, and by the time we reached the car park, the trail felt more like the crowd heading to a football match. The parking lot was overflowing — a good reminder that it always pays to start early, no matter where in the world you are.

The Hooker Valley Track offers one of the most spectacular hikes anywhere — easy access, epic views, and unforgettable alpine scenery. It’s an absolute must on any South Island itinerary.

We drove back to our Twizel hut HQ and cooked up another home cooked meal, it was great to return to a somewhat familiar location without having to unpack our luggage once again. Epic X 1000 day!

Current Track Conditions (2025 Update)

We were quite lucky, as less than a month after our visit in March 2025, the second swing bridge was closed due to erosion and deemed unsafe to cross. Construction is now underway to build a new bridge — the largest of its kind — but unfortunately, this means the track will remain closed until late 2026.

Check current track conditions on the Department of Conservation website.

There are plenty of great alternatives in the area — the Sealy Tarns Viewpoint may be the best option for views of Mount Cook.

⸻

Quick Facts

• 🏞 Location: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, South Island, New Zealand

• 🚶‍♂️ Length: About 10 km (6.2 miles) return

• ⏱ Duration: Roughly 3 hours return at an easy pace

• 🧭 Difficulty: Easy to moderate — mostly flat, well-maintained trail

• 🌉 Highlights: Three swing bridges, alpine streams, glaciers, and mountain views

• 🏔 Main attraction: Ends at Hooker Lake, with stunning views of Aoraki / Mount Cook

• 🌸 Best time to visit: Spring to autumn (October–April) for clear weather and wildflowers

• ❄️ Winter note: Can be icy or snowy — check conditions before hiking

• 📸 Famous for: Being one of the most photographed day hikes in New Zealand

Final Thoughts

The Hooker Valley Track delivers everything you could want from a New Zealand hike: easy access, breathtaking alpine landscapes, and a front-row seat to Aoraki / Mount Cook. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning after years away, this trail will take your breath away — every single time.