Hiking the Hooker Valley Track
- Kylie Harber
- Mar 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 28
Easily one of the most stunning hikes of my life, hiking the Hooker Valley Track was an incredible experience and a real highlight of our first visit to New Zealand's South Island.
Below is a short video of our day on the hike to see the glorious Aoraki / Mount Cook, so you can enjoy the scenery and get a feel for the terrain. We even see an avalanche in the distance! It really doesn't do justice to how stunningly beautiful and serene this hike is - you must go in person.
This video is the second in our series of our 2 week holiday in the South Island.
Enjoy!
Getting to the Hooker Valley Track
Start the Hooker Valley Track from the White Horse Hill Campground - just over an hour’s drive from Lake Tekapo. Follow Mount Cook Road (State Highway 80) and turn right into Hooker Valley Road to reach the car park and starting point.
The car park can get busy... we ended up parking on the side of the entry road with many others and walking back to the trailhead. You'll find toilet amenities and plenty of signage directing you where to go.
How long does it take to hike the Hooker Valley Track?
We finished the hike in 3 hours, and that included plenty of time to pause and admire the views and a rest at Hooker Lake, plus I stopped to take many photos and videos along the way.
How hard is it to hike the Hooker Valley Track?
The track is a fairly easy 10km (6.8mile) return track.
We were not super fit at the time and it was the perfect first hike to start our 2 week itinerary in New Zealand's South Island. We found it enjoyable and easy.
It is flat in parts with gently undulating sections, some stairs, some short inclines / declines and three suspension bridges - all spectacular to cross although if you're afraid of heights like me, the third one will take your breath away! I felt perfectly safe crossing the bridges (they are solid!), just a little nervous at the view.
This image of me is a little hill I climbed and not at all indicative of the terrain on the well trodden path.
Food Options near the Hooker Valley Track
There is not much food in the area, so please be more prepared than we were.
If you're driving from Lake Tekapo, the small town of Twizel is on the way - it's a great spot to stop for a coffee or breakfast and you can pick up some picnic supplies for the day at the local Four Square supermarket. We absolutely loved the cute cafe called Mint Folk & Co at Twizel (highly rate the hot chocolate) :
We stopped at Mint Folk & Co for a hot drink on the drive out from Tekapo. We started our hike in the morning around 10.30am and finished in the afternoon around 1:30pm. I brought an apple to munch on at the half way point (Hooker Lake).
We drove up to the nearby village to enjoy a burger at The Old Mountaineer’s Cafe (a short drive away) - it has a stunning view through large glass windows featuring Mount Cook. It also has a lovely sun drenched deck to enjoy the mountain views, surrounded by pine trees. There was one other cafe in the village from memory - please check opening times and note that the cafes may have reduced meal options.
In other words, pack lots of snacks and water!
Where to Stay for the Hooker Valley Track
For the closest place to stay (a 5 minute drive), it is best to base yourself at Aoraki Mount Cook Village. This would be ideal if you want to stay for multiple hikes and accommodation options include the Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Chalets and Haka House.
You could also base yourself in Twizel. It is a tiny town but has all the right amenities, cafes, restaurants, supermarket, post office, chemist - all the usual suspects.
We based ourselves in Lake Tekapo for 3 nights to enjoy the dark sky reserve and other Tekapo attractions, choosing a clear sky day for our hike. We stayed in the cosiest little cottage! We fell in love with the views, deck, heated floors and homely features and never wanted to leave…
Mary Hut, Tekapo:
Tips for the Hooker Valley Track
We visited the Hooker Valley track in March 2023 and had absolutely glorious weather.
Despite the lovely cool breeze, the sun is hot and reflects off all the snow / icy water of Hooker Lake. We got burnt despite taking precautions - I recommend wearing a hat, sunscreen and packing plenty of water.
You'll find plenty of resting spots and picnic tables along the way. Reaching Hooker Lake is the midway point, before you return the way you came.
Try to choose a sunny day for the most incredible, clear views!
Artwork of the Hooker Valley Track
As an artist, my inspiration comes from the places I visit and call home - the places I leave my heart. I specialise in beautiful, hand drawn map artworks and murals! I am very keen to draw my favourite hiking trails - the Hooker Valley Track being one of them.
You can see some of my travel inspired artworks here.
And a beautiful example of a commissioned map artwork here.
If you would like to know when this artwork becomes available, please join my newsletter here:
Happy hiking!
Kylie
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