Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park as quickly as they drive in – the street 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.
An important place to remain at Aoraki Mount Cook dinner is proper within the coronary heart of Mount Cook dinner village, waking as much as a few of 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 advocate 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 below are my high picks.
Hooker Valley Monitor: hottest path at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (4-hour return from the village)
Problem degree: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered, however largely flat
Undoubtedly the most well-liked path within the space, and there’s an excellent cause why! Hooker Valley offers the backdrop for these iconic Mt Cook dinner images 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 attractive glacier lake, the place you’ll be surrounded by the Southern Alps (it’s additionally an superior place for a picnic).
I might advocate doing the Hooker Valley Monitor within the morning in the course of the summer time months. Right here’s why.
- The solar can be shining immediately onto the glacier lake and also you is likely to 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 when you can’t get began till the afternoon! Through the winter it’s finest to simply comply with the nice climate (as it will probably change in a second) so maintain an eye fixed out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley observe is a extremely popular stroll – there are typically fewer folks out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered observe and through summer time the solar may be very robust 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
Problem degree: Medium/Arduous
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered and uphill
This observe begins from the identical automotive park because the Hooker Valley observe, however it is necessary that you simply select properly between the 2! While you might be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, you’ll want to be ready for a a lot more durable path that’s composed of 2200 steps and a 450m elevation acquire. 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 when you’re in good 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 automotive park
Problem degree: Very simple
Monitor circumstances: Flat
For those who’ve bought 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 right observe 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 automotive park (most individuals break up this between 2 days)
Problem degree: Arduous
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 high of the mountain. You’ll positively must hop off the Stray bus for this one because it’s not doable 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 might 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.
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 must do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer time. Ensure you are absolutely outfitted with sufficient meals, water and security gear with loads of detachable layers so that you could alter to the fixed temperature modifications. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automotive park
Problem degree: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor circumstances: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought every part regarded majestic, so it’s positively one to contemplate 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 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
Problem degree: Straightforward
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered, however utterly flat
Simply my favorite stroll in your entire nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. For those who 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 received’t see Mt Cook dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see a lovely glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
In contrast to the Hooker Valley, these walks are finest skilled in a while 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 implies you’ll be able to take images and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who desires a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Cook dinner then you’ll be able to at all times 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 possibly can even discover the world on a 4WD tour and when you’re extra of an evening owl then there’s at all times stargazing to contemplate! Lengthy story quick, it is 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 observe at Aoraki Mount Cook dinner will you select?
As you’ll be able to see there are many mountaineering choices in Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park? Which observe will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite mountaineering observe? Tell us within the remark part.
