In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park - South Island
At 3,724m, Mount Cook is the highest peak in the Southern Alps. Along with Tongariro and Milford Sound, it's one of New Zealand's must-sees. The main activity in the National Park is hiking, and it was here that we did some of our best walking.
If we had to do just one hike here, it would be the easy Hooker Valley Track, which passes two glacial lakes and ends with a breathtaking view of Mount Cook and its reflection in Hooker Lake.
Hooker Valley Track
5,5 km one way - 1h15
Elevation gain 240m
3 to 4 hours
Free
The Hooker Valley Track is the most popular hike in the National Park. It's best to start early to avoid the crowds. Much of the hike is done on wooden pontoons. Three suspension bridges line the route. The 240-meter elevation gain is spread throughout the trail and is not difficult to bear. At the end of the hike, you arrive at the superb Hooker glacial lake, with its milky color and distant glacier. The reflection of Mount Cook adds to the magic of the place and invites contemplation.
Access: from Twizel, drive along Lake Pukaki on Route 80 to the Mont Cook Village parking lot.
Sealy Tarns
2,8 km one way - 1h00
Elevation gain 520m
3 to 4 hours
Free
A demanding hike, as the 520 m difference in altitude over just 2.8 km is very steep. But it's well worth the effort. The views all the way up and to the finish are breathtaking. It looks out over Mueller Lake, Hooker Lake, Mount Cook and the entire mountain range. At the summit, the small lake of Sealy Tarns comes into view, offering a lovely reflection of Mount Sefton. Hike a little further to reach the viewpoint overlooking the entire valley.
This hike can be combined with Kea Point (see below) for a total of 7 km round trip and 620 m ascent.
Access: from Twizel, follow Lake Pukaki along Route 80 to the Mont Cook Village parking lot.
Kea Point
1,5 km one way - 30 min
Elevation gain 100m
1 hour
Free
Short, easy walk with views of Mueller Lake and Mount Sefton.
Can be combined with Sealy Tarns (see above).
Access: from Twizel, drive along Lake Pukaki on Route 80 to the Mont Cook Village parking lot.
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint et River Track
1 km one way minimun - 15 min
1 hour
Free
Lake Tasman is another must-see in the National Park. Its color is an incredible blue. The viewpoint shows the lake and the glacier. Don't be content with this viewpoint alone. On the way back to the parking lot, take the trail towards Tasman River. You'll be on the edge of the lake before it becomes a river and flows into Lake Pukaki. If you're lucky, you'll see a few icebergs. The whole trip is 3.4 km long.
Can be combined with the Blue Lakes hike (see below) for a total of 5.4 km and 200 m ascent.
Access: from Twizel, drive along Lake Pukaki on Route 80, then turn right onto Tasman Valley Road to the parking lot.
Blue Lakes
1 km one way - 15 min
30 minutes
Free
A short, easy hike to three small lakes. Strangely, these lakes are not blue as their name suggests, but green. Named Blue Lakes in 1800, they were fed directly by the glacier that came much closer. Now that the glacier has retreated, the lakes are fed only by rainwater, which is warmer than glacier water, leading to the appearance of green algae. The first lake is easily accessible, but the other two require a bit of searching. The third lake is the largest and most beautiful.
Can be combined with Tasman Glacier Viewpoint (see above).
Access: from Twizel, drive along Lake Pukaki on Route 80, then turn right onto Tasman Valley Road to the parking lot.
Lodging
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