Tramping (Hiking) in New Zealand #3 Aoraki Mt.Cook National Park : Hooker Valley Track

The first hike in New Zealand was Hooker Valley Track.

Hooker Valley Track

Type: Out and back

Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) to the edge of Hooker Lake

Elevation change: 120 meters (approximately 400 feet) 

Optional: you can go up the ridge along the Hooker Lake, which is categorized Route

This is the most popular hike in Mt.Cook/Aoraki National Park. It is very scenic, easy walk on the extremely well maintained track. Trail is crowded in the afternoon and early evening. 

Hooker Lake

Aoraki/Mt.Cook

 

The trek is amazing. It had non-stopping view and the destination is the Hooker Lake. Mt.Cook can be seen over the lake. Aoraki/Mt.Cook is sharp at the top and seems looking down visitors from high point. It is a really cool and handsome mountain. 

Looking down Hooker Lake

As you can see in the left two pictures, it is not only Aoraki. The lake is surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Sometimes sun shines on the glaciers, on the slope of mountains and sometimes clouds roll into the mountains. Any single moment is beautiful. Along the way all the change can be seen. I was continuously moved by the view, so the way to the lake was quick. Most people stop when they reach the lake. We didn't. We continued going up to the ridge along the lake. The trail is now called "Route" (please refer the Tramping in New Zealand #1 entry for the naming of trail kind). This portion was really nice, because nobody was on the route. We took time to walk on the ridge looking ahead and back and down at lake. All the directions were breathtaking. We sat down on rocks to appreciate the views and had some quiet time. Priceless.

Camping

A lot of bunnies

Only downside of this trail is crowded. I did it during the peak time of the day, so it was hard to pass some people who are standing on the trail or walking much slower than me. Usually when I go strenuous trails I don't pass hikers much, but this Hooker Valley track has all kinds of people who seem never hiked before. Most surprising outfit I saw was red floral dress with shiny sandals, and an umbrella (it was sunny... not for the rain but for avoiding sunshine). Now you can see what kind of track this is. 

Other spots along the trail which was worth seeing was memorial tower made by rocks for people who passed away during climbing Aoraki. Another one was a famous rock where the first woman who climbed Aoraki took a picture. It was 1910! In that era there must not be so much advanced tools to climb. I respect Freda du Faur. 

I think this Hooker Valley hike is a must if you stay in Aoraki National Park. It doesn't take long. We took around 3-4 hours including "route" portion. 

We camped two nights at White Horse Hill campground located in the Aoraki Naitonal Park, just at the trailhead of Hooker Valley Track. We had a sedan car and camped in a tent throughout the trip. Tent people are actually minority in New Zealand. Most people love camper vans. Several companies are especially popular: Jucy, Autobarn, Britz. It is interesting. During 3.5 weeks in New Zealand, I saw at least 200 Jucy vans, 100 Britz, and 100 Autobarn. I have never stayed in a camper van, but probably I prefer to stay in a tent.

At this campground, there are many bunnies. They are cute. In New Zealand, originally there was no mammals on the land (except for sea mammals like seals), so bunnies are not native. Without predators, bunnies seem to expand a lot here. They love grass here. The cost to camp here is a little higher side. $13/person per night, but it is inside the National park and very convenient. Besides, there is no fee to enter National Park, which is different from American National Park.