Explore Hiking Trails in Mount Cook, New Zealand: A Nature Lover’s Guide
The Mount Cook hike is indeed friendly for beginners. I completed a 10-kilometer round trip, taking about three and a half hours with stops for photos, and didn’t feel tired at all. I even saw several elderly people on the trail.
[Accommodation]
I strongly recommend staying at the Mt Cook Motel!!! It’s a motel associated with the Hermitage Hotel, and the unique feature is that you can cook your own meals (which is not possible in the hotels and lodges at Mount Cook). The snow-capped mountains are right outside the door, and you can see the sunrise illuminating the golden peaks (see photos 3-4).
The key advantage is its proximity to the attractions; it’s only a ten-minute drive to various sites, which saves a lot of time (the drive from Twizel to Mount Cook takes 40 minutes). Don’t be fooled by the modest exterior; the rooms are quite spacious. The bedroom and kitchen are separate, and there’s a small courtyard.
The WiFi is stable and fast. Tip: Book through the Hermitage’s official website. I booked about half a month in advance, and the price on the official site was one-third cheaper than on Agoda or Booking.
[Mount Cook Hike]
1. Tasman Glacier Hike
After checking in around 4 PM, I went to the shorter Tasman Glacier trail. Park at the Tasman Glacier car park and follow the trail for about ten minutes until you see the sign. Turn left and climb up the stairs for ten minutes to reach the highest point, where you can overlook the glacier (see photo 9).
The wind here is very strong, so be careful not to stand too close to the edge. Go back down the same way and follow the other direction indicated by the sign, which takes about 30 minutes to reach the river. This is also the direction for the boat tour. Here, you can see large icebergs on the lake.
We hurried back to the hotel before sunset, and remember to look to the right as the mountain will be illuminated in red.
2. Hooker Valley Hike
In mid to late April, the sunrise here is around 7:30 AM. After watching the sunrise from our room, we quickly headed to the valley. It’s a 7-minute drive to the Hooker Valley Track, and you just follow the trail after parking. One advantage of staying here is that you can enter the park early and not worry about finding a parking spot; by noon, the parking lot was full.
The hiking route passes through three suspension bridges, and I personally think the view from the first bridge is the best (see photo 1). Before crossing the bridge, you can see Mueller Lake. After passing the three bridges, the endpoint is Hooker Lake, where you can sit by the lakeside. From Hooker Lake, you can also see the glacier tongue, and we even met two ducks begging for food on the viewing platform (they wouldn’t let us touch them after eating).
We rested for 20 minutes and then headed back. By then, more and more people were entering the valley, but we managed to avoid the peak time!
Эти тропы для походов выглядят невероятно живописными! Особенно заинтересовала тропа Hooker Valley Track — обязательно добавлю её в свой список мест для посещения. Жаль, что некоторые маршруты требуют опытных проводников из-за сложности ландшафта. Надеюсь, когда-нибудь соберусь с勇气 и поеду туда探险овать.
I’ve been meaning to try those trails—good to hear they’re beginner-friendly! The Motel sounds perfect; being able to cook my own meals would make it feel more like a home base while exploring.
Absolutely, those trails are fantastic for beginners and offer stunning views that everyone can enjoy. The Motel is indeed a great choice—it’s always nice to have the flexibility of cooking your own meals when you’re away from home. I hope you get the chance to explore soon; it’s such a rewarding experience. Thanks for your comment, and happy trails!
I totally agree that the trails around Mount Cook are great for beginners! The scenery was stunning, and it was inspiring to see how accessible nature is for everyone. By the way, I also stayed at the Mt Cook Motel and found it to be a perfect base for exploring the area—having the option to cook my own meals was a big plus.
I’ve been meaning to try those trails—good to hear they’re beginner-friendly! The views must be incredible if even with stops for photos it wasn’t tiring. And cooking my own meals would definitely save some budget too. I’ll check out that motel for sure!
You’re absolutely right—the trails at Mount Cook are stunning, and the views make every step worthwhile! Even with a few photo breaks, most people find them energizing rather than tiring. Staying at the nearby motel is a great idea; it’s cozy and super convenient for early morning hikes. Happy planning, and enjoy your trip—it’s one of New Zealand’s most beautiful spots!