South Island Hiking.

The Hooker Valley Track is the signature day walk of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, offering access to high-alpine scenery on an easy, flat route. Starting near the White Horse Hill campground, this 10-kilometer return trail winds along the valley floor, crossing three scenic swing bridges over the Hooker River. The gravel and boardwalk path is highly approachable, leading hikers past glacier lakes and alpine herb fields with constant views of Mount Sefton and New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Beyond the dramatic geology, the valley holds deep cultural significance as a Tōpuni area for the Ngāi Tahu iwi. It is a highly rewarding half-day hike that delivers massive glacial landscapes with minimal physical effort.