Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Prepare 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 when you’re there.
An ideal 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 conceivable out of your hostel window.
While it’s simple to move a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your guide 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 Observe: hottest path at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (4-hour return from the village)
Problem stage: Straightforward/Medium
Observe circumstances: Uncovered, however largely flat
Undoubtedly the preferred path within the space, and there’s an excellent motive why! Hooker Valley gives the backdrop for these iconic Mt Prepare dinner pictures you will notice 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 Observe within the morning through the summer season months. Right here’s why.
- The solar shall be shining straight onto the glacier lake and also you could be fortunate sufficient to see a mirrored image of Mt Prepare 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 only observe the great climate (as it will probably change in a second) so preserve an eye fixed out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley observe is a very fashionable stroll – there are usually fewer individuals out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered observe and through summer season the solar will be very robust through the afternoon, making a mere 3-hour stroll really feel like a 7-hour hike.
Sealy Tarns Observe
Time: 3-4 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Medium/Onerous
Observe circumstances: Uncovered and uphill
This observe begins from the identical automobile 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, it is advisable be ready for a a lot harder 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 properly price it when you’re in fine 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 Observe
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Very simple
Observe circumstances: Flat
In case you’ve received some spare time after the Hooker Valley stroll and need to see the magical Mount Prepare dinner from a distinct 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 Observe: multi-day hike at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (most individuals break up this between 2 days)
Problem stage: Onerous
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 have to 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 in the future. 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 might be 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 season. Ensure you are totally outfitted with sufficient meals, water and security gear with loads of detachable layers so that you could regulate to the fixed temperature modifications. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automobile park
Problem stage: Straightforward/Medium
Observe circumstances: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought every little thing seemed 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 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 automobile park
Problem stage: Straightforward
Observe circumstances: Uncovered, however fully flat
Simply my favorite stroll in the whole nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. In case 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 lovely glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
Not like the Hooker Valley, these walks are finest 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 possibly can take pictures and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Prepare dinner then you possibly can 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 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 Prepare dinner vacation spot information.
Which observe at Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner will you select?
As you possibly can see there are many mountaineering choices in Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner Nationwide Park? Which observe will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite mountaineering observe? Tell us within the remark part.
