Exactly How to Hike the Hooker Valley Track & Is It Open?

The Hooker Valley Track is a 10.6 km (6.6 mile) easy to moderate hike. It’s the most popular in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and great for all ages. We hiked it twice, and in this guide we will provide tips, hiking stats, photos, and an elevation profile, so you know what to expect.

The Hooker Valley Track takes hikers through breathtaking alpine mountain scenery in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. You will pass views of snow-covered peaks and glaciers, cross three swing bridges, and go past two glacial lakes (Mueller Lake and Hooker Lake). The trail ends at Hooker Lake with Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, towering in the background.

The trail is well-maintained, easy to follow, and consists of a combination of gravel paths and boardwalks. It is more of a walk than a hike, making it a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels. The entire walk takes between 3 to 4 hours round-trip, including stops for photos.

We’ve done this hike twice. The first time we were here with kids and Tyler and Kara were just 12 and 10 at the time. On a more recent visit, I hiked this trail again, during our two day stay in the national park.

November 2025 Update: The Hooker Valley Track is closed beyond the second swing bridge due to trail erosion from flooding. A new bridge is being built and the full trail is expected to reopen Autumn 2026. Get updates here.

Table of Contents

Hooker Valley Track Stats

Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles) roundtrip (out-and-back)
Total Ascent: 290 meters (950 feet)
Lowest Elevation: 760 meters (2,500 feet)
Highest Elevation: 895 meters (2,935 feet)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 3 to 4 hours

Hooker Valley Elevation Profile

Hooker Valley Track Map

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

How Do You Get to the Hooker Valley Trailhead?

From the Aoraki / Mount Cook village, take Hooker Valley Road which will end at a large parking area. At the car park you will find a campground, a shelter, bathrooms, the Hooker Valley Track trailhead, and the Mueller Hut Route trailhead. The Hooker Valley Track trailhead is well marked.

Even though the parking area is large it does fill up and the trail can be crowded, even in the winter. To get ahead of the crowds, plan for a morning start.

The Hooker Valley Track trailhead is only a 5-minute drive from the Aoraki / Mount Cook village.

You can also walk to the trailhead from the village. Take the Mueller Hut Route trail which starts near The Hermitage Hotel and follow it to the White Horse Hill Campground and Car Park. This will add about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and 30 minutes of hiking each way. This distance and time are in addition to any other distances and times stated in this hiking guide.

Hooker Valley Track

Step-By-Step Trail Guide

The Hooker Valley Track is a well-maintained, easy to follow track in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It is a mostly gravel track, but it does have a few boardwalks that take you through a marshy area. You also cross three swing bridges and Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, dominates the background as you approach Hooker Lake at the end of the trail.

In the summer you can look for icebergs floating in the glacial lakes (Mueller Lake and Hooker Lake). And in the winter these glacial lakes freeze over.

It is important not to try to swim in the glacial lakes or walk on any frozen portions of these lakes. Glacial lakes are extremely cold and dangerous.

The Hooker Valley Track is advertised as one of the best walks in New Zealand, and it does not disappoint. It is a great hike for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Freda’s Rock and the Alpine Memorial

The trail starts from the parking lot at the end of Hooker Valley Road. Near the trailhead you will find bathrooms. There is also a bathroom facility about halfway along the trail.

Hooker Valley Track parking lot

You get to enjoy beautiful snowcapped mountain scenery even at the trailhead. And as you hike, listen for the crackling sound the glaciers make as they slowly move.

Hooker Valley Track trailhead

Almost immediately you will come to a very short spur trail on the left that takes you to Freda’s Rock. It is a larger bolder named in honor of Emmeline Freda Du Faur, the first woman to climb Aoraki / Mount Cook. When she returned from the summit of Mount Cook on December 3, 1910, she had her picture taken in front of this boulder to commemorate her historic achievement.

Freda’s Rock

Shortly past Freda’s Rock you will see another spur trail on the left where you can climb up to the Alpine Memorial. As stated on the memorial, it is dedicated “To the memory of mountaineers and guides lost to the hills”.

Alpine Memorial

From the Alpine Memorial you also get a great view overlooking Mueller Lake, Hooker Valley, and the surrounding mountains.

Mueller Lookout

Just before you reach the Hooker River and the first swing bridge, you will see the Lake Mueller Lookout on the left. The lookout offers a stunning view of Mueller Lake and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Lake Mueller

View of the first bridge from the Lake Mueller Lookout

PRO TRAVEL TIP: According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Hooker Valley Track is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies from the trailhead to Lake Mueller Lookout.

Swing Bridges on the Hooker Valley Track

From the Lake Mueller Lookout you now descend down some steps built into the track to the first swing bridge.

View from the first bridge

During severe weather events the Hooker Valley Track can close at either the first or second swing bridge.

As you hike between the first and second swing bridges you are walking across an old glacier moraine.

As you are walking keep an eye out for an unmarked set of steps on the left that lead up to a viewing area. This observation area offers a similar view as the Mueller Lake Lookout, but everything in the view is a bit closer.

View from the observation area

You will then come to the second swing bridge.

It’s at this point that the trail is closed. Get updates about when it will reopen on the DOC website.

After crossing the second swing bridge you will be walking towards Aoraki / Mount Cook. On a clear day it will be in view for most of the remainder of the track. You will also cross a set of boardwalks that take you over a marshy area.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: There are bathrooms and picnic tables between the second and third swing bridge.

You will then come to the third swing bridge.

After crossing the third swing bridge keep an eye out for a short spur trail on the right that takes you to an alpine tarn. This is a great place to catch the reflection of Mount Cook in the water of the tarn on a clear day.

Hooker Lake

The main trail ends with a view overlooking Hooker Lake with Mount Cook as the backdrop. There are picnic tables here and you can walk down to the shore of the lake. In the summer look for icebergs in the lake. And in the winter the lake freezes over.

Do not swim in Hooker Lake or try to walk on any frozen portions of the lake. It is a glacial lake that is extremely cold and dangerous.

Hooker Lake

Overall, this is a stunning hike with gorgeous alpine mountain scenery suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It can be a magical experience during the summer or winter season. For more information on the hike, go to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation website.

What to Bring

I recommend wearing hiking shoes. Waterproof hiking shoes would be even better in the event of bad weather. The trail can get wet and muddy when it rains, and the trail can be slippery when it snows, so bring proper footwear for those conditions. Under perfectly dry conditions you could get away with wearing sneakers that have a good grip. But you never know what the weather will be ahead of your visit, so it is best to be prepared for the worst.

The Hooker Valley Track is exposed to the sun, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Bring food and water. You might consider bringing items to have a picnic at some point during the hike. Picnic tables are located between the second and third swing bridges and at Hooker Lake.

Dress in layers and bring a rain jacket so you are prepared for various weather conditions. This is an alpine region so weather changes can occur rapidly.

Hiking Gear Guide

Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

How to Stay Safe on the Trail

Do not swim in Hooker Lake or Mueller Lake. These glacial lakes are very cold, and hypothermia can set in quickly.

Do not try to walk on Hooker Lake or Mueller Lake if they are frozen. The ice can easily give way causing you to fall in.

Do not climb on icebergs as they are not stable and can tip over.

Check the weather forecast ahead of your hike.

As you plan your trip and just before you go, get updates on the DOC website. Trail conditions can change at any time.

Plan Your Trip to Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park

We’ve visited the park twice and have written up a few more helpful guides.

Get started with our article Things to Do in Aoraki/Mt. Cook, which lists the best hikes and experiences in the park, plus essential information such as where to stay and how to plan your time. We also have a detailed guide to the Tasman Lakes Hike.

On the west side of the Southern Alps is Glacier Country, a cluster of small coastal towns such as Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. If you like hiking, mountain views, and helicopter tours, this is well worth the visit. We took a helicopter tour with glacier landing and got bird’s eye views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Hooker Valley Track located?

The Hooker Valley Track is located in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park on the South Island of New Zealand.

How do you get to the Hooker Valley Track trailhead?

The Hooker Valley Track trailhead is located next to the parking lot at the end of Hooker Valley Road. It is a 5-minute drive from the Aoraki / Mount Cook village. You can also walk to the trailhead from the village. Just follow the Mueller Hut Route trail which starts near The Hermitage Hotel and follow it to the White Horse Hill Campground and Car Park. This will add about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) and 30 minutes of hiking each way.

Is the Hooker Valley Track worth hiking?

Yes! Hiking the Hooker Valley Track is worth it, and we highly recommend it for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It is an easy to moderate track that crosses three swing bridges and takes you through stunning mountain scenery with views of glaciers, glacial lakes, and Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.

When is the best time to hike the Hooker Valley Track?

The Hooker Valley Track is open year-round with the summer and winter seasons offering different experiences. In the summer look for icebergs in the glacial lakes. In the winter the glacial lakes freeze over. The track can close at the first or second swing bridge during any time of year in the event of severe weather. And the road to the trailhead can close in the winter due to snow.

Can you swim in Hooker Lake?

Swimming in a glacial lake, such as Hooker Lake, is not allowed and is considered very dangerous. Walking on frozen parts of Hooker Lake is also considered very dangerous and is prohibited.

Can you swim in Mueller Lake?

Swimming in a glacial lake, such as Mueller Lake, is not allowed and is considered very dangerous. Walking on frozen parts of Mueller Lake is also considered very dangerous and is prohibited.

Can I hike the Hooker Valley Track with a dog?

No, dogs are not permitted on the Hooker Valley Track.

Is the Hooker Valley Track accessible?

According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation “The first 700 m of the Hooker Valley Track is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.” This makes the turnaround point the Mueller Lake Lookout which is just before the first swing bridge.

Can I fly a drone in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park?

You have to obtain a permit from the New Zealand Department of Conservation before flying a drone within Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

If you have any questions about the Hooker Valley Track, let us know in the comment section below.

Plan Your Trip to New Zealand

We have TONS more information about New Zealand in our New Zealand Travel Guide, including Auckland, Queenstown, Wanaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Franz Josef, Christchurch, Wellington, Taupō, and the Milford Sound.

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Everything you need to know to hike the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki /Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand.