Mount Cook National Park is the best hiking area in all of New Zealand. The area surrounding Aoraki Mount Cook is full of incredible day hikes to lakes, tarns, glaciers, and epic viewpoints. In this blog, we are going to share the 6 best Mt Cook hikes in Mount Cook National Park. All these hikes can be done as day hikes in Mt Cook if you’re an experienced hiker.
These hikes range from a .7 mile scenic Tasman Lake trail to a 1,000 meter vertical ascent to the Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut. Of course the Hooker Valley is an incredible hiking trail as well. If you are an adventure-lover or nature-lover, you’ll find a few great hikes to do here.
We spent 3 months road tripping the entire country of New Zealand in a camper van and Mount Cook landed on our recommended New Zealand bucket list. Unfortunately freedom camping was hard to come by near the National Park so we ended up staying at Hermitage Hotel and couldn’t recommend it more!
Mount Cook is no doubt one of the best places to photograph on New Zealand’s South Island! A jammed pack 4 days hiking 6 incredible Mt Cook hikes will blow your mind! Mount Cook is an adventurers paradise. Are you ready? Let’s do it!
Mount Cook Village Hikes
Mount Cook Village is the central area in Mount Cook National Park. This is where you will find the main visitor center, as well as the main hotels and dining options in the area. If you are looking for a place to stay within the park, we recommend the Hermitage Hotel. It has beautiful rooms, amazing restaurants right on site and the best view of Mount Cook right out your window.
The Mount Cook Village is also home to many of the main trailheads for hikes in the National Park. The first trail on our list of the best Mt Cook hikes is the Hooker Valley Track, a great hike for hikers of all shapes and sizes.
Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is a must for everyone who visits Mount Cook National Park. This hike is over 3 miles each way, however the trail is very flat and extremely well-maintained.
Along the Hooker Valley Track are 3 incredible swing bridges. The bridges are long, spanning the width of the Hooker River, where the rushing glacial waters flow beneath you. Crossing these bridges is a beautiful and unique part of this hiking trail.
As you reach the end of the Hooker Valley, you’ll come upon Hooker Lake, and you’ll see why this trail is so popular. Hooker Lake is a beautiful glacial lake that glows a bright blue-grey color. On its own, Hooker Lake would be beautiful, however, there is more to this view.
Hooker Glacier is located right on the opposite shore of Hooker Lake. The enormous glacier goes all the way from the lake shore deep into the canyon behind it. A canyon that was formed over time by that very glacier!
The cherry on top (literally) of this incredible view is Mount Cook. On a clear day, Mount Cook is perfectly framed as the backdrop for a photo from the Hooker Valley Lookout. Hike the Hooker Valley Track on a clear day and experience this stunning view for yourself. It’s definitely one of the best day hikes in Mt Cook.
Hooker Valley Track Details
- Distance: 6.2 mi (10 km) out & back
- Time: 3 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 330 ft (100 m)
- Trailhead: White Horse Hill Campground
Red Tarns Track
The Red Tarns Track is a short but difficult hike starting at the Public Shelter in the middle of Mount Cook Village. The hike is just over 1 mile each way, however it involves an ascent of nearly 1,000 feet. While this hike is a leg and lung burner, it is absolutely one of the best Mt Cook hikes.
At the top of the ascent, you’ll come upon the Red Tarns. The Red Tarns are a set of alpine pools, that have a red tint due to the vegetation growing in the water.
From the Red Tarns, you’ll get a wonderful view of Mount Cook in the distance. On a calm, clear day, the view will be a stunner, as you’ll get a reflection from the Red Tarns. You’ll get two Mount Cook views, one upside-down and one upside-up!
Red Tarns Track Details
- Distance: 2.2 mi (3.5 km) out & back
- Time: 2 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 980 ft (300 m)
- Trailhead: Public Shelter
The Reflective Red Tarns
Sealy Tarns Track
The Sealy Tarns are more beautiful than the Red Tarns. The Red Tarns are great, of course, but the Sealy Tarns are better. However, they are even harder to reach. Yet it can still be done as a day hike in Mt Cook and is, of course, one of the best Mt Cook hikes!
The Sealy Tarns Track is 1.8 miles each way and is basically a vertical ascent the entire way. You’ll gain 1,800 feet in elevation on a hike that has over 2,000 stairs! It is a struggle, but it is so worth it.
At the Sealy Tarns, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Mount Cook National Park landscape. You’ll see Hooker Lake and Hooker Glacier off in the distance. You’ll see an enormous network of glaciers, ice, and snow on the huge mountain face in front of you. And you’ll see towering waterfalls everywhere you look.
All of that, and we haven’t even mentioned the tarns themselves! The Sealy Tarns are an alpine pool tucked right into the mountainside. The Sealy Tarns, unlike the Red Tarns, are colorless. On a still day, the tarns are a perfect mirror, and make for a jaw-dropping viewpoint and photo opportunity.
Sealy Tarns Track Details
- Distance: 3.6 mi (5.8 km) out & back
- Time: 4 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 1800 ft (550 m)
- Trailhead: White Horse Hill Campground
Mueller Hut Track
If you are ready for a serious hike, look no further. The Mueller Hut is a grind, but the view is the best in the entire Mount Cook National Park. This hike is a stretch to do as a day hike in Mt Cook, unless you are an experienced hiker. If it’s too challenging to finish as a day hike, look in to spending the night in Mueller Hut.
The Mueller Hut is actually beyond Sealy Tarns, by 1.4 miles. That makes the Mueller Hut hike a total of 3.2 miles each way. The ascent totals 3,300 feet, making it one of the tallest day hikes you can do in all of New Zealand!
All that effort is more than worth it though. The Mueller Hut is a little red hut placed smack dab between the enormous peaks of the Southern Alps. From the hut (which has a bathroom!) the view of Mount Cook, the glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes in the park is unparalleled.
If you want an even better view, you can scramble up Mt Ollivier behind the Mueller Hut, which was the first peak Sir Edmund Hillary ever summited! Each view you find will be better than the last, this is truly a magical place. The Mueller Hut Track is without a doubt one of the best Mt Cook hikes.
If you would rather not hike in and out on the same day, you can book an overnight stay at the Mueller Hut! There are also a few breathtaking camping sites, if you are willing to hike up with a tent and sleep under the stars.
Mueller Hut Track Details
- Distance: 6.4 mi (10.4 km) out & back
- Time: 6-8 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft (1,000 m)
- Trailhead: White Horse Hill Campground
Tasman Lake Hikes
The Tasman Lake area is a short 15 minute drive from the Mount Cook Village. Here you’ll find two additional must-see hikes, the Tasman Lookout Track and the Tasman Lake Track.
These are relatively easy hikes that are very short and quick to complete. Do them back to back one morning or afternoon during your visit to Mount Cook National Park.
Tasman Lookout Track
The Tasman Lookout is a short out & back hike that takes you to a viewpoint of Tasman Lake. The bright blue-grey lake spreads before you, until it gives way to the enormous Tasman Glacier.
The view here is incredible, and makes for a great place for a picnic. The hike itself is not difficult, and is perfect for hikers of all ages and skill levels.
If you are looking for an even more up-close-and-personal look at the Tasman Glacier, there are guided tours that take you onto the glacier. Some take you by boat and some by helicopter, and all of them give you the unique opportunity to walk on a living glacier!
Tasman Lookout Track Details
- Distance: 0.7 mi (1.1 km) out & back
- Time: 0.5 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 60 ft (18 m)
- Trailhead: Tasman Glacier Carpark
Tasman Lake Track
The other hike in this area is the Tasman Lake Track. This hike is just over 1 mile each way, and brings you right up to the shores of the Tasman Lake.
At the end of this hike, you’ll see there are many kayaks and small boats on shore. If you are interested, you can go kayaking on Tasman Lake! You can cruise through the glacial waters and get up close and personal with every nook and cranny on the lake.
Tasman Lake Track Details
- Distance: 2.2 mi (3.5 km) out & back
- Time: 1.5 hour return
- Elevation Gain: 350 ft (110 m)
- Trailhead: Tasman Glacier Carpark
Enjoy Mt Cook Hikes
We sincerely hope you enjoyed this article on the best Mt Cook hikes in Mount Cook National Park. Hiking the beautiful tracks in this country is a great experience. The Hooker Valley, Tasman Lake, Sealy Tarns, Red Tarns, and Mueller Hut all make for a full week of incredible adventure. Enjoy!
Also, if you need more convincing that this place is absolutely stunning check out this youtube video!
More Mount Cook National Park Photos
We couldn’t stop taking photos at Mount Cook National Park! So much natural beauty and incredible landscapes.
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