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 whilst you’re there.
A fantastic 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 possible out of your hostel window.
While it’s simple to cross a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your guide and absorbing the environment, I’d extremely suggest that you just 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 below are my high picks.
Hooker Valley Monitor: hottest path at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (4-hour return from the village)
Problem stage: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor situations: Uncovered, however principally flat
Undoubtedly the most well-liked path within the space, and there’s an excellent cause why! Hooker Valley supplies the backdrop for these iconic Mt Cook dinner pictures 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 giant 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’d suggest doing the Hooker Valley Monitor within the morning throughout the summer time months. Right here’s why.
- The solar shall be shining instantly 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 in case you can’t get began till the afternoon! Through the winter it’s greatest to simply comply with the nice climate (as it might change in a second) so hold a watch out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley monitor is a extremely popular stroll – there are usually fewer individuals out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered monitor and through summer time the solar could be very sturdy throughout 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 automobile park
Problem stage: Medium/Exhausting
Monitor situations: Uncovered and uphill
This monitor begins from the identical automobile park because the Hooker Valley monitor, however it will be important that you just select properly between the 2! While chances are you’ll be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, it’s worthwhile to 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 unimaginable although, so I’d say it’s effectively price it in case you’re in fine condition.
One final tip: Don’t go up there until it’s a transparent day – you don’t wish to make investments all of that vitality to see nothing however clouds!
Kea Level Monitor
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Very simple
Monitor situations: Flat
When you’ve acquired some spare time after the Hooker Valley stroll and wish to see the magical Mount Cook dinner from a special 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 Monitor: multi-day hike at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (most individuals break 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 high of the mountain. You’ll positively have to hop off the Stray bus for this one because it’s not potential 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 obtainable 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), you then’ll have to do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer time. Be sure to are totally outfitted with sufficient meals, water and security gear with loads of detachable layers to be able 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: Straightforward/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 positively one to think about if the climate isn’t in your favour. Your first cease would be the Blue Lakes (they’re really inexperienced) and you then’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: Straightforward
Monitor situations: Uncovered, however utterly flat
Simply my favorite stroll in the whole nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. When 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 monitor for you! You received’t see Mt Cook dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see a gorgeous glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
Not like the Hooker Valley, these walks are greatest skilled in a while within the day because the solar shines on the Tasman Glacier lake throughout the afternoon. It additionally tends to be a lot quieter than the lake at Hooker Valley, which implies you may take pictures and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Cook dinner then you may at all times catch a scenic flight over the glaciers or hop on a boat 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 in case you’re extra of an evening owl then there’s at all times stargazing to think about! Lengthy story quick, this can be a Stray cease to not be missed.
For more information in regards to 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.
