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 terrific 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 go a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your e-book and absorbing the environment, I’d 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 Observe: hottest path at Mount Cook dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park (4-hour return from the village)
Problem stage: Simple/Medium
Observe situations: Uncovered, however principally flat
Undoubtedly the preferred path within the space, and there’s an excellent motive why! Hooker Valley supplies the backdrop for these iconic Mt Cook dinner images you will notice plastered throughout social media. Come cloud or shine, the views are all the time phenomenal. You’ll cross not one, however THREE massive 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 advocate doing the Hooker Valley Observe within the morning in the course of the summer season months. Right here’s why.
- The solar will likely be shining straight 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! Throughout the winter it’s finest to simply observe the great climate (as it could actually change in a second) so preserve a watch 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 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 Observe
Time: 3-4 hour return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Medium/Exhausting
Observe situations: Uncovered and uphill
This observe begins from the identical automobile park because the Hooker Valley observe, however it will be significant that you simply select correctly between the 2! While it’s possible you’ll be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, you should 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 unbelievable although, so I’d say it’s nicely value 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 power to see nothing however clouds!
Kea Level Observe
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automobile park
Problem stage: Very simple
Observe situations: Flat
For those who’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 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 Observe: 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 observe is for you! It’s a continuation of the Sealy Tarns observe as much as the very high of the mountain. You’ll undoubtedly have to 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 someday. I feel it’s value 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.
Until you might be 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 have to do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer season. Be sure to are totally geared up with sufficient meals, water and security gear with loads of detachable layers to be able to modify to the fixed temperature modifications. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automobile park
Problem stage: Simple/Medium
Observe 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 think about 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 automobile park
Problem stage: Simple
Observe situations: Uncovered, however utterly flat
Simply my favorite stroll in your complete 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 an exquisite glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
Not like 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 may take images and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Cook dinner then you may all the time 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 realm on a 4WD tour and when you’re extra of an evening owl then there’s all the time stargazing to think about! Lengthy story brief, it is a Stray cease to not be missed.
For more information concerning the space, learn Stray’s Mt Cook dinner vacation spot information.
Which observe 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 observe will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite climbing observe? Tell us within the remark part.
