Everybody knows about the Hooker Valley Track - of New Zealand’s best day walks - but recently there’s been a new, little talked about addition to this incredible trail. You can now stay in a gorgeous little historic hut, tucked away just off the Hooker Valley Track, with simply sensational views of Aoraki Mount Cook and the surrounding snowy peaks.
What makes it even better, is that Hooker Hut is such an accessible adventure. Whilst the more famous Mueller Hut requires a fairly hefty climb to reach, the route to Hooker Hut is almost entirely flat and very easy to reach.
There are just eight beds in the picturesque hut and we reckon it will become almost impossible to make a reservation in years to come. Who wouldn’t want to stargaze and watch the sunrise from this little patch of paradise?
Even if you don’t want to stay, the track to see the hut is fabulous - just don’t go inside the hut and disturb people who have booked if you’re just visiting for the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Hooker Hut Track, one of the very best walks at Mount Cook.
The Hooker Hut Track
The stats
Distance: 9km return
Elevation: 210m
Difficulty: Easy
The Hooker Hut Track is an easy walk following the extremely well maintained Hooker Valley Track for much of the way. There are very few uphill sections but they only last a minute or two.
Once you leave the Hooker Valley Track, you are following a route marked by orange poles and there is no set path. You will need to traverse tussocks and some rocks but it’s not difficult.
Starting the trail
The trail begins at the White Horse Hill Campground and follows signs for the Hooker Valley Track. For now you won’t see any signposting for the hut as it’s so new, but in time no doubt that will change.
The walk begins on a wide well graded gravel path and the mountain views are incredible from the first moment.
You’ll pass several memorials just off the main path on the left which commemorate the first woman to summit Aoraki Mount Cook, as well as those who have sadly lost their lives in the park.
Along the Hooker Valley Track
After 850m you’ll see the Mueller Lake Lookout on your left which offers a gorgeous view over the lake and across to the first swing bridge - which you’ll come to 150m later.
The swing bridges are a highlight of the track with great views over the roaring river below as well as out to the peaks.
Roughly 800m later you’ll see another little turnoff on your left which is a 30 second detour to another lookout over Mueller Lake. It’s worth checking this one out too because it offers a closer more intimate view of the lake.
Shortly after you’ll arrive at the second swing bridge which has yet more extraordinary views.
You’ll then continue along the gravel path alongside the river and if the weather is in your favour, a fabulous view of Mount Cook too.
It’s one of those easy trails which you could skip through quickly, but is so jam packed with views that you could end up taking twice as long as you think you will.
At the 3.2km mark you’ll come to a picnic bench and some toilets. You’ll then see the boardwalk which would continue the route through to Hooker Lake, the end of the Hooker Valley Track.
Your path lies un-signposted to the left.
The picnic bench before the turn
The creek to follow to the orange poles
To Hooker Hut
The route to Hooker Hut is along a narrow grass path just off the beginning of the boardwalk (the first one before the bridge over the river). It’s not obvious at first glance but look closely and you will see a gently beaten down trail.
The trail follows the river “true left” - which is to the right of the downstream flow. To keep it simple, once you turn left off the boardwalk, you will want to keep the river on your right hand side.
Almost instantly you will begin traversing the tussocks. There is no set route through the tussocks, just choose the path of least resistance always keeping the river on your right.
This bit was snowy on our visit, which makes it slightly harder, but it’s still very doable. The tussock section is roughly 400m long.
At points, if the water level is low, you might find it easier to walk in the river bed over the stones, after 400m through the tussocks you will cut naturally onto the river bed anyway.
Look out for the orange pole on the left 250m after the tussocks, it would be easy to miss if you didn’t know to look for it.
The walk by the river
The first orange pole
It will take you on a hard left slightly uphill and into a new section of tussocks. This bit is very well marked with plenty of orange poles which are easy to spot.
You’ll arrive at Hooker Hut 300m later (950m after leaving the Hooker Valley Track).
The delightful Hooker Hut - Mount Cook’s best room with a view
New Zealand is full of charming little historic huts but this has to be one of my favourites. The view is out of this world, looking directly to Aoraki Mount Cook and completely surrounded by jaw dropping snowy peaks.
It has to be one of the best settings in the entire country!
The hut was built in 1910 and originally situated at the foot of Copland Pass as a base for mountaineers. Over the years it became dilapidated, but has now been loving restored and set to rest in its current position in the Hooker Valley.
What I think is very special about this one is that it is so accessible. Those who don’t normally, or aren’t able to take on long hikes, or people with young kids etc can enjoy the magic of a night in one of New Zealand’s most magical locations, and all for the almost ludicrously low price of $30 a night per adult and $15 per adult per night to camp (and half that for children).
The hut itself is tiny but absolutely lovely, both inside and out. There’s a wood burner, eight bunk beds with mattresses, and gas burners for cooking.
There is also running water and a pit toilet.
All you need to bring is a warm sleeping bag (make sure it’s a very warm one even in the height of summer), your cooking utensils and food. I’d also bring toilet paper just in case, although there was some on our visit.
The fact it’s such a short easy walk means you can probably afford to bring a better dinner than you might normally bring on a hike too, which is always a bonus!
You’ll have a view of sunset and of course on clear nights the night sky is lit with millions upon millions of stars. You can see the whole Milky Way and even the core!
The Milky Way from Mount Cook
Your place in the hut must be booked in advance, presumably that will be done online in the future but at the moment you need to book at the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre.
If you’re not planning to spend the night come and enjoy the outside of the hut and have a picnic at the table with a million dollar view, but don’t go inside. It’s so accessible that it could easily become overrun and spoil the experience for those staying.
The walk back
The walk back is very easy and you’ll know your way through the tussocks this time too. Once you’re back at the boardwalk you are roughly 1.5km from the end of the Hooker Valley Track and if you haven’t done it already I highly recommend it.
It continues to be virtually all flat and you’ll traverse a wonderful stretch of boardwalk before hitting the third and final swing bridge.
Heading down to the shore of Hooker Lake is a must, the view is even more beautiful than from the lookout where the official track ends. If you’re lucky you’ll get some great reflections in the water.
The walk back from Hooker Lake to the car park can be done in an hour if you’re not stopping every few seconds for photos!
If you are looking for other things to do in the Mount Cook area, we have you covered in this post.
Essential information about the Hooker Hut Track
Getting there
The walk begins at the White Horse Hill Campground which is a five minute drive from the village. You can also walk from the village which DOC says adds on one hour. We’ve not walked it before but it’s flat and looks like it could be done much quicker than that.
The Hooker Hut Track in winter
The Hooker Hut Track can be done in winter, conditions will vary but if there has been a lot of snow and ice around (you can check with the visitor centre ahead of time) then we’d recommend bringing Yaktrax or similar.
We have walked the track twice in winter, once there was no snow or ice whatsoever and once with a fair amount. With Yaktrax walking on ice is easy and you’ll be grateful not to be sliding all over the track like others will be!
In all seasons you want plenty of layers, we’ve experienced a blizzard in Mount Cook in December!
Mountain weather
Conditions can change very quickly in the mountains. If there is low cloud and no mountain views don’t panic because it can lift. We’ve seen it go from full white out to clear in 10 minutes! If the Hooker Valley looks awful, head to the Tasman Valley and check out conditions there before heading back to the Hooker Valley. You often find that the two valleys, although a short drive apart can have very different conditions!
Where to stay in Aoraki Mount Cook
When picking somewhere to stay, be very careful with some booking site’s selections for what counts as near Mount Cook! Some will look at hotels within a 30-50km radius of the mountain, and serve options on the West Coast such as Franz Josef (which is a 6 hour drive away by road but just over the mountain as the crow flies).
When searching, look at either Mount Cook Village, Twizel or anywhere on State Highway 8. If you possibly can, splurge and stay in Mount Cook Village. It’s significantly more expensive than Twizel (a 45 minute drive away) but allows you to track weather more accurately.
On two of our visits we did not see the mountains for two days, and then had crystal clear weather on the third. This is another reason staying in Mount Cook itself is so helpful as the weather changes so quickly, you can see the cloud lift and rush out to enjoy it, whereas the weather forecast can easily still be saying it’s poor.
Now onto where to stay, based on our personal experience (and not sponsored).
Aoraki Court Motel
In terms of value for money and quality, this is our top choice for hotels in Mount Cook. You don’t get the heritage, but you get huge rooms with amazingly comfy beds and small kitchenettes (including 2 ring hobs) which allow you to really keep the food costs down.
The view is not of Mount Cook itself, but it is of incredible mountain vistas. I really loved the motel, so much so that we stayed with them in the sister motel in Franz Josef and loved that one also.
In case you are also weighing up the Mount Cook Lodge we can tell you Aoraki Court is much nicer in every way. We stayed at the lodge on our fourth visit and though there’s nothing wrong with it, we both regretted not going for Aoraki Court. NB, if you’re planning a winter visit, the Mount Cook Lodge was freezing with a woeful heating system.
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