Most individuals fall in love with Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner Nationwide Park as quickly as they drive in – the street is known for its beautiful views of the Southern Alps and Lake Pukaki. Listed below are 6 superior trails to take a look at when you’re there.
An incredible place to remain at Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner is proper within the coronary heart of Mount Prepare dinner village, waking as much as a few of the most breathtaking scenes possible out of your hostel window.
While it’s simple to go a day simply sitting on the balcony, studying your guide and absorbing the environment, I might extremely advocate that you just get out and expertise one (or extra) of the strolling tracks. I’m a Mount Prepare dinner fanatic – having accomplished each single path, so listed below are my high picks.
Hooker Valley Monitor: hottest path at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 3-hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (4-hour return from the village)
Issue degree: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered, however largely flat
Undoubtedly the most well-liked path within the space, and there’s an excellent motive why! Hooker Valley offers the backdrop for these iconic Mt Prepare dinner pictures you will notice plastered throughout social media. Come cloud or shine, the views are all the time phenomenal. You’ll cross not one, however THREE massive swing bridges earlier than reaching the attractive glacier lake, the place you’ll be surrounded by the Southern Alps (it’s additionally an superior place for a picnic).
I might advocate doing the Hooker Valley Monitor within the morning in the course of the summer season months. Right here’s why.
- The solar might be shining instantly onto the glacier lake and also you may be fortunate sufficient to see a mirrored image of Mt Prepare dinner within the water. That stated, the glacier lake is a sight to behold at any time of day, so don’t fear for those who can’t get began till the afternoon! Through the winter it’s finest to simply observe the great climate (as it will possibly change in a second) so preserve an eye fixed out for a transparent sky and get on the market!
- The Hooker Valley observe is a extremely popular stroll – there are typically fewer individuals out and about within the morning than within the afternoon.
- It’s a very uncovered observe and through summer season the solar will be very robust in the course of the afternoon, making a mere 3-hour stroll really feel like a 7-hour hike.
Sealy Tarns Monitor
Time: 3-4 hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park
Issue degree: Medium/Laborious
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered and uphill
This observe begins from the identical automotive park because the Hooker Valley observe, however it is vital that you just select properly between the 2! While chances are you’ll be deceived by the primary quarter-hour of flat terrain, it’s good to be ready for a a lot harder path that’s composed of 2200 steps and a 450m elevation acquire. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! The views up there are fairly unimaginable although, so I’d say it’s properly value it for those who’re in good condition.
One final tip: Don’t go up there until it’s a transparent day – you don’t wish to make investments all of that vitality to see nothing however clouds!
Kea Level Monitor
Time: 30-minute return from White Horse Hill automotive park
Issue degree: Very simple
Monitor circumstances: Flat
In the event you’ve obtained some spare time after the Hooker Valley stroll and wish to see the magical Mount Prepare dinner from a distinct angle then that is the proper observe for you! It takes simply half-hour return however don’t be fooled by the quick time it takes – the views are nonetheless simply as unimaginable:
Mueller Hut Monitor: multi-day hike at Mount Prepare dinner
Time: 7-8 hour return from White Horse Hill automotive park (most individuals break up this between 2 days)
Issue degree: Laborious
For all of the diehard hikers on the market, this observe is for you! It’s a continuation of the Sealy Tarns observe as much as the very high of the mountain. You’ll undoubtedly have to hop off the Stray bus for this one because it’s not doable to finish in only one afternoon. Lots of people select to separate the stroll between two days and camp in a single day in Mueller Hut (bookings required), however you may select to do a spherical journey in at some point. I feel it’s value staying in a single day if there are areas obtainable although – there’s nothing fairly like watching the sundown and rise once more over the valley.
Except you might be extraordinarily skilled and carry crampons, avalanche gear and an ice axe with you in your travels (sure, it’s that hardcore), then you definately’ll have to do the Mueller Hut stroll in summer season. Be sure to are totally geared up with sufficient meals, water and security tools with loads of detachable layers in an effort to alter to the fixed temperature adjustments. Good luck!
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookout tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automotive park
Issue degree: Straightforward/Medium
Monitor circumstances: Uphill, however not steep
I did this stroll on a cloudy day and nonetheless thought the whole lot regarded majestic, so it’s undoubtedly one to think about if the climate isn’t in your favour. Your first cease would be the Blue Lakes (they’re truly inexperienced) and then you definately’ll meander up the steps to the lookout over the glacier lake. It’s a brief observe and has nowhere close to as many steps because the Sealy Tarns, so it’s nice for a fast morning/afternoon journey.
Tasman Glacier river and jetty tracks
Time: 1 hour from Tasman Valley automotive park
Issue degree: Straightforward
Monitor circumstances: Uncovered, however fully flat
Simply my favorite stroll in your complete nationwide park, which additionally occurs to be one of many quickest/best. In the event you simply plan on sticking to minimal time on the Stray bus and don’t fancy strolling for hours on finish, then that is the observe for you! You gained’t see Mt Prepare dinner as clearly right here, however you’ll nonetheless see a phenomenal glacier lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains.
In contrast to the Hooker Valley, these walks are finest skilled afterward within the day because the solar shines on the Tasman Glacier lake in the course of the afternoon. It additionally tends to be a lot quieter than the lake at Hooker Valley, which implies you possibly can take pictures and eat your picnic in peace.
For anybody who needs a extra glamorous expertise of Mt Prepare dinner then you possibly can all the time catch a scenic flight over the glaciers or hop on a boat to stand up shut and private with the icebergs on the lakes. You possibly can even discover the realm on a 4WD tour and for those who’re extra of an evening owl then there’s all the time stargazing to think about! Lengthy story quick, it is a Stray cease to not be missed.
For more information in regards to the space, learn Stray’s Mt Cook destination guide.
Which observe at Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner will you select?
As you possibly can see there are many mountaineering choices in Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner Nationwide Park? Which observe will you go for? Or which one in case your favorite mountaineering observe? Tell us within the remark part.
