One of the Best Short Hikes in New Zealand

Aoraki/Mt Cook area has several great trails with varying levels of difficulty and length. The Hooker Valley Track is one of the easiest, but very satisfying. The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campground and car park at the end of Hooker Valley Road and runs for about 10km round trip. The terrain is relatively level throughout the hike with some gentle ups and downs at you make your way northwest on a nicely groomed trail, including some elevated wood walkways to make it easier in some of the rougher areas.

Even though it's relatively short, you'll need some good hiking shoes, a back pack, some water, a protein bar or two, a hat and some good sunscreen. It doesn't take much for the sun to create some painful sunburns. The hike can be made year-round but it its most pleasant in the summer months, when shorts and t-shirts are all you need on most days.   A back-up jacket is always a good idea in New Zealand, especially in the Southern Alps where the weather can change pretty quickly.

Even though it's relatively short, you still need some good hiking shoes, a back pack, some water, a protein bar or two, a hat and some good sunscreen.