Discover the Ancient 10,000-Year-Old Glacier Near Mount Cook in Just 30 Minutes Hike

When it comes to the Mount Cook hiking trails, most people immediately think of the popular Hooker Valley Track. However, I have a hidden gem to share with you. If you’re looking for breathtaking glacier views and have children in tow who can’t join the helicopter glacier hikes, this lesser-known route is your best bet. In just a 30-minute hike, you can marvel at a ten-thousand-year-old glacier!

**Hooker Valley Track:**
This trail takes about 3 hours to complete and involves crossing three suspension bridges. Personally, I find the scenery along the way a bit underwhelming. Given the physical limitations of children, a long-distance hike like this can be quite challenging. On the day we visited Mount Cook, the wind was exceptionally fierce, and we heard that the suspension bridges could be quite daunting.

The combination of strong winds and rain made us reconsider, so we decided to skip the Hooker Valley Track and opt for the Tasman Glacier hiking route instead.

**📍Map Navigation: Tasman Glacier Parking**
You can drive directly to the parking lot, but there are no shops nearby, so make sure to bring plenty of supplies before setting off. From the parking lot, you’ll see a sign (Figure 2) that directs you to three different hiking routes:

1️⃣ **Tasman Lake & River (Figures 2-9)**
– The Lake and River are two distinct routes, with the River being particularly picturesque. You can venture down to the glacier lake area for some stunning photos, but be cautious as the path is quite steep.
– It only takes about 30 minutes to walk from the parking lot.

2️⃣ **Blue Lakes (Figure 10)**
– At the first fork, turn left and walk about 300 meters to reach the Blue Lakes. While the scenery is not spectacular, it’s worth a quick stop on your way.

3️⃣ **Tasman Glacier View (Figures 11-13)**
– This is the highest point of the hiking route, offering a panoramic view of the Tasman Glacier. The trail is more strenuous with many steps, but the effort is well rewarded. From the top, you can clearly see the majestic sight of icebergs reflected in the lake, with especially vivid colors.
– The round trip takes about an hour.

‼️ **Additional Experiences:**
Tasman also offers exciting helicopter and glacier hiking experiences, which require advance booking. There is a minimum age limit for children (typically 8+).
– **Helicopter + Glacier Hike:** 799 RMB
– **Tasman Glacier Exploration (boat tour of the glacier):** 178 RMB

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a family with young children, the Tasman Glacier hiking route offers a memorable and accessible adventure. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to witness the timeless beauty of a glacier up close!