Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Prepare 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 here are 6 superior trails to take a look at whilst you’re there.
A fantastic place to remain at Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner is proper within the coronary heart of Mount Prepare dinner village, waking as much as among the most breathtaking scenes possible out of your hostel window.
While it’s straightforward to go a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your ebook and absorbing the ambiance, I’d extremely suggest that you simply get out and expertise one (or extra) of the strolling tracks. I’m a Mount Prepare dinner fanatic – having accomplished each single path, so listed here are my prime picks.
Hooker Valley Monitor: hottest path at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (4-hour return from the village)
Issue stage: Simple/Medium
Monitor situations: Uncovered, however principally flat
Undoubtedly the preferred path within the space, and there’s an excellent cause why! Hooker Valley offers the backdrop for these iconic Mt Prepare dinner photographs you will note plastered throughout social media. Come cloud or shine, the views are at all times phenomenal. You’ll cross not one, however THREE massive swing bridges earlier than reaching the attractive glacier lake, the place you’ll be surrounded by the Southern Alps (it’s additionally an superior place for a picnic).
I’d suggest doing the Hooker Valley Monitor within the morning in the course of the summer season months. Right here’s why.
- The solar will likely be shining instantly onto the glacier lake and also you may be fortunate sufficient to see a mirrored image of Mt Prepare dinner within the water. That mentioned, the glacier lake is a sight to behold at any time of day, so don’t fear should you can’t get began till the afternoon! Through the winter it’s greatest to only comply with the great climate (as it will possibly change in a second) so maintain a watch out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley observe is a highly regarded stroll – there are typically fewer individuals out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered observe and through summer season the solar may be very sturdy in the course of the afternoon, making a mere 3-hour stroll really feel like a 7-hour hike.
Sealy Tarns Monitor
Time: 3-4 hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park
Issue stage: Medium/Laborious
Monitor situations: Uncovered and uphill
This observe begins from the identical automotive park because the Hooker Valley observe, however it’s important that you simply select correctly between the 2! While chances are you’ll be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, you should be ready for a a lot harder 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 unbelievable although, so I’d say it’s effectively price it should you’re in good 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 vitality to see nothing however clouds!
Kea Level Monitor
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automotive park
Issue stage: Very straightforward
Monitor situations: Flat
In the event you’ve obtained some spare time after the Hooker Valley stroll and need to see the magical Mount Prepare dinner from a unique angle then that is the right observe for you! It takes simply half-hour return however don’t be fooled by the brief time it takes – the views are nonetheless simply as unbelievable:
Mueller Hut Monitor: multi-day hike at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (most individuals cut up this between 2 days)
Issue stage: Laborious
For all of the diehard hikers on the market, this observe is for you! It’s a continuation of the Sealy Tarns observe 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 at some point. 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.
Until 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 definitely’ll must do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer season. Be sure you are absolutely geared up with sufficient meals, water and security gear with loads of detachable layers to be able to alter to the fixed temperature modifications. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automotive park
Issue stage: Simple/Medium
Monitor situations: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought every part appeared 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 definitely’ll meander up the steps to the lookout over the glacier lake. It’s a brief observe 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 automotive park
Issue stage: Simple
Monitor situations: Uncovered, however utterly flat
Simply my favorite stroll in the complete nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. In the event you simply plan on sticking to minimal time on the Stray bus and don’t fancy strolling for hours on finish, then that is the observe for you! You gained’t see Mt Prepare dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see a good looking glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
Not like the Hooker Valley, these walks are greatest skilled afterward within the day because the solar shines on the Tasman Glacier lake in the course of the afternoon. It additionally tends to be a lot quieter than the lake at Hooker Valley, which suggests you may take photographs and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Prepare dinner then you may at all times catch a scenic flight over the glaciers or hop on a boat to rise up shut and private with the icebergs on the lakes. You may even discover the realm on a 4WD tour and should you’re extra of an evening owl then there’s at all times stargazing to contemplate! Lengthy story brief, this can be a Stray cease to not be missed.
For more information concerning the space, learn Stray’s Mt Prepare dinner vacation spot information.
Which observe at Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner will you select?
As you may see there are many climbing choices in Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner Nationwide Park? Which observe will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite climbing observe? Tell us within the remark part.
