Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park as quickly as they drive in – the highway is legendary for its beautiful views of the Southern Alps and Lake Pukaki. Listed below are 6 superior trails to take a look at when you’re there.
An amazing place to remain at Aoraki Mount Cook dinner is proper within the coronary heart of Mount Cook dinner village, waking as much as among the most breathtaking scenes conceivable out of your hostel window.
While it’s simple to move a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your e-book and absorbing the ambiance, I might extremely suggest that you simply get out and expertise one (or extra) of the strolling tracks. I’m a Mount Cook dinner fanatic – having accomplished each single path, so listed here are my prime picks.
Hooker Valley Observe: hottest path at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (4-hour return from the village)
Problem stage: Simple/Medium
Observe situations: Uncovered, however principally flat
Undoubtedly the most well-liked path within the space, and there’s an excellent cause why! Hooker Valley gives the backdrop for these iconic Mt Cook dinner photographs you will note plastered throughout social media. Come cloud or shine, the views are all the time phenomenal. You’ll cross not one, however THREE massive swing bridges earlier than reaching the beautiful glacier lake, the place you’ll be surrounded by the Southern Alps (it’s additionally an superior place for a picnic).
I might suggest doing the Hooker Valley Observe within the morning through the summer time months. Right here’s why.
- The solar can be shining straight onto the glacier lake and also you may be fortunate sufficient to see a mirrored image of Mt Cook dinner within the water. That stated, the glacier lake is a sight to behold at any time of day, so don’t fear if you happen to can’t get began till the afternoon! Throughout the winter it’s greatest to only observe the great climate (as it could possibly change in a second) so maintain an eye fixed out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley monitor is a highly regarded stroll – there are typically fewer folks out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered monitor and through summer time the solar may be very sturdy through the afternoon, making a mere 3-hour stroll really feel like a 7-hour hike.
Sealy Tarns Observe
Time: 3-4 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Medium/Exhausting
Observe situations: Uncovered and uphill
This monitor begins from the identical automobile park because the Hooker Valley monitor, however it’s important that you simply select properly between the 2! While you might be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, it is advisable be ready for a a lot more durable path that’s composed of 2200 steps and a 450m elevation achieve. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! The views up there are fairly unimaginable although, so I’d say it’s properly price it if you happen to’re in fine condition.
One final tip: Don’t go up there until it’s a transparent day – you don’t need to make investments all of that power to see nothing however clouds!
Kea Level Observe
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Very simple
Observe situations: Flat
If you happen to’ve acquired some spare time after the Hooker Valley stroll and need to see the magical Mount Cook dinner from a unique angle then that is the proper monitor for you! It takes simply half-hour return however don’t be fooled by the quick time it takes – the views are nonetheless simply as unimaginable:
Mueller Hut Observe: multi-day hike at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (most individuals cut up this between 2 days)
Problem stage: Exhausting
For all of the diehard hikers on the market, this monitor is for you! It’s a continuation of the Sealy Tarns monitor as much as the very prime of the mountain. You’ll undoubtedly must hop off the Stray bus for this one because it’s not attainable to finish in only one afternoon. Lots of people select to separate the stroll between two days and camp in a single day in Mueller Hut (bookings required), however you may select to do a spherical journey in someday. I believe it’s price staying in a single day if there are areas out there although – there’s nothing fairly like watching the sundown and rise once more over the valley.
Except you’re extraordinarily skilled and carry crampons, avalanche gear and an ice axe with you in your travels (sure, it’s that hardcore), then you definately’ll must do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer time. Ensure you are totally geared up with sufficient meals, water and security tools with loads of detachable layers as a way to alter to the fixed temperature adjustments. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automobile park
Problem stage: Simple/Medium
Observe situations: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought every little thing regarded majestic, so it’s undoubtedly one to contemplate if the climate isn’t in your favour. Your first cease would be the Blue Lakes (they’re truly inexperienced) and then you definately’ll meander up the steps to the lookout over the glacier lake. It’s a brief monitor and has nowhere close to as many steps because the Sealy Tarns, so it’s nice for a fast morning/afternoon journey.
Tasman Glacier river and jetty tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automobile park
Problem stage: Simple
Observe situations: Uncovered, however utterly flat
Simply my favorite stroll in your complete nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. If you happen to simply plan on sticking to minimal time on the Stray bus and don’t fancy strolling for hours on finish, then that is the monitor for you! You gained’t see Mt Cook dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see an exquisite glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
In contrast to the Hooker Valley, these walks are greatest skilled afterward within the day because the solar shines on the Tasman Glacier lake through the afternoon. It additionally tends to be a lot quieter than the lake at Hooker Valley, which implies you may take photographs and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Cook dinner then you may all the time catch a scenic flight over the glaciers or hop on a ship to stand up shut and private with the icebergs on the lakes. You’ll be able to even discover the world on a 4WD tour and if you happen to’re extra of an evening owl then there’s all the time stargazing to contemplate! Lengthy story quick, this can be a Stray cease to not be missed.
For more information concerning the space, learn Stray’s Mt Cook dinner vacation spot information.
Which monitor at Aoraki Mount Cook dinner will you select?
As you may see there are many mountain climbing choices in Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park? Which monitor will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite mountain climbing monitor? Tell us within the remark part.
