Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park as quickly as they drive in – the street is legendary for its gorgeous 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 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 environment, I’d 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 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 stage: Straightforward/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 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’d suggest doing the Hooker Valley Monitor within the morning through the summer season months. Right here’s why.
- The solar can be shining straight onto the glacier lake and also you is perhaps 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 should you can’t get began till the afternoon! Through the winter it’s greatest to only observe the great climate (as it will possibly change in a second) so preserve an eye fixed out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley monitor is a extremely popular stroll – there are usually fewer folks out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered monitor and through summer season the solar might be very sturdy through 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 stage: Medium/Onerous
Monitor situations: Uncovered and uphill
This monitor begins from the identical automotive park because the Hooker Valley monitor, however it will be important that you simply select correctly between the 2! While you could 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 unbelievable although, so I’d say it’s nicely price it should 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 automotive park
Problem stage: Very simple
Monitor situations: Flat
If you happen to’ve obtained 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 unbelievable:
Mueller Hut Monitor: multi-day hike at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (most individuals cut up this between 2 days)
Problem stage: Onerous
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 undoubtedly 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 someday. I believe it’s price staying in a single day if there are areas accessible 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 definitely’ll must do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer season. Be sure to are absolutely outfitted with sufficient meals, water and security tools with loads of detachable layers so as to alter to the fixed temperature adjustments. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automotive park
Problem stage: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor situations: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought all the pieces 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 really inexperienced) and then you definitely’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 automotive park
Problem stage: Straightforward
Monitor situations: Uncovered, however fully flat
Simply my favorite stroll in your entire 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 received’t see Mt Cook dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see an attractive 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 through the afternoon. It additionally tends to be a lot quieter than the lake at Hooker Valley, which implies you may take images and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who desires 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 rise up shut and private with the icebergs on the lakes. You may even discover the world on a 4WD tour and should you’re extra of an evening owl then there’s at all times 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 climbing choices in Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park? Which monitor will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite climbing monitor? Tell us within the remark part.
