Visited Hooker Valley in September 2025, and it was one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in New Zealand! The trail is well-marked, flat and accessible, making it perfect for all ages. Along the way, we crossed three beautiful suspension bridges, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and rivers. The scenery is constantly changing, from braided glacial rivers and tussock-filled valleys to snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The highlight of the walk is Hooker Lake itself, with its turquoise waters and icebergs floating gently on the surface. The view of Mount Cook reflecting on the lake was breathtaking — truly a picture-perfect moment. Even though it was early spring, the air was crisp and refreshing, and there were still patches of snow that added to the dramatic landscape. We spent time at the lake, taking photos and enjoying the peacefulness of the area. The trail is about 10 km return but it feels easy thanks to the well-maintained path and gentle terrain. Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It’s accessible, scenic and offers some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers alike!

Hooker Valley Track – Absolutely Breathtaking! We were blessed with great weather — clear skies but a bit chilly, which made the walk refreshing! Only the first bridge was open during our visit, so it was a shorter trail (about 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total), but still totally worth it. The view was absolutely breathtaking — snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear water, and that stunning Mt Cook backdrop. Even with the limited access, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone heading to the area. ❄️✨

Good place to trek. Exceeded my expectations. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I had a good enjoyable exercise day. 2 of the bridges were still closed but it's still worth going. Not difficult to walk. I saw people with wheelchairs along the way. Highly recommended.

Hike was done in early Oct , 2nd swing bridge is closed so we didnt find the terrain too difficult. Very scenic. Great weather on the day we hiked so all was good. Highly recommended.

Stunning scenarios and views. Would reccomend to go on a hike here. We came during spring, the weather was good, there wasn't much of a crowd and the air was fresh and clean. The hiking trails are decent, safe, and can be easily spotted so its really hard to get loss.

This world-famous track is all over social media on a blue-sky day, but honestly, it’s just as stunning when the weather turns moody — cloudy or light rain gives the whole valley a dramatic, almost mystical vibe. Of course, if it’s pouring down or snowing heavily, it’s better to stay away for safety reasons. And on a foggy day, visibility gets so low that walking into the valley kind of defeats the purpose. The track itself is medium-level at most. With some basic gear you can easily finish it. Still, whether it’s summer or winter, make sure you bring proper layers and rain protection — the weather in the valley isn’t exactly four-seasons-in-one-day, but it can be as unpredictable as someone in love. The swing bridges, the glacier lake and the Hooker River are absolute highlights — not that you can miss them anyway. If you’re lucky, you might catch a full view of Aoraki / Mt Cook, but most of the time the summit hides behind the clouds. And if you ever get to witness the golden glow on the peak at sunrise or sunset, that’s pure magic — a real blessing. Trust me, unless the track is closed or visibility is dangerously low, spending around four hours here is worth it at any time.

it was a bit crowded when we visited in the beginning of march, but we were lucky to get a parking slot 😅 the way leads you through the stunning scenery of the mountains along the amazing glacier river until the lake - no steep part, it goes up and down in a really easy way and is mostly flat... also some boardwalk parts and three swing bridges to cross the river 😍🥰 definitely a must-do👍🏻✨️

Been planning this visit for 2 years now. Finally got the chance to go but unfortunately the Hooker Valley Track has been closed from the first bridge onwards. It is set to open Autumn 2026. So hopefully we make it for that next year. Otherwise, everything was so stunning. Seeing Mt.Cook right in front of me made me feel some sort of emotion- i cannot describe . I will definitely be going again in the winter.

If you are in New Zealand and you didn’t visit Mount Aoraki then it is a bog miss, not fulfilled of your trip. It is a mind blowing view from any place, the road trip is awesome and refreshing journey. The picture you will be taken will not present how beautiful the serenity is. Just be there, spend some time, be quiet, make your own way, stop somewhere and breathe.

Wonderful, soring mountains, glacier and native bush walks. Can be busy, but tracks are well built for the numbers. Take your time to soak or all in. DOC information centre worth a visit for informative display.

The Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitors Center is one of the best I have ever explored. I have a particular interest in exploration, trekking, and history of those activities. If you do too, it is well worth an hour or so of your time. Mt Cook has been a proving ground for great mountaineers and the center documents many of those who passed through. The presentations on rescues was fascinating too. It was also the first I've seen that gives props to the first women explorers. First females, essentially climbing in dresses, had great stories.

This tourist center is worth a visit for everyone. It showcases the history, development and construction process of Mt. Cook, as well as the protection of the mountain's environment and wildlife.

I recently lost my prescription glasses at Kea Point, Mt Cook, and assumed they were gone for good. Out of chance, I contacted the Department of Conservation with a short note describing them. Within minutes, Sandra from the Mt Cook team replied, confirmed they had been found, and offered to post them back to me. The efficiency and care were impressive, and it was a reminder of the professionalism behind New Zealand’s conservation services. Thank you to Sandra and the Mt Cook wildlife conservation team for the prompt support and assistance.

While we were watching the movie (which is very interesting!), we essentially got kicked out of the building at 11:30AM by the tenant, because it’s here lunch hour!!!! So my understanding is that no matter how many people are in there (we must have been about 20 or more, the parking is full), she emptied the building so she can have here lunch. I’m fine with people taking a break, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t there a better way to treat visitors who drove hours to get there? This is an internationally famous area, with loads of visitors year round! While the video explains how proud the Kiwis are about Aoraki Mount Cook, a Kiwi kicked if out of the visitor center! Now, this being said, if you can get in when it’s open, it’s beautiful in there, great book shop and exhibitions. But here we are in the car, watching groups after groups get turned around at the door!!

The museum is dedicated to Sir Edmund Hillary while he was in Aoraki training in preparation for his ascent on Everest. It also has the 1st glacier landing plane located there. Awesome 👌

This is attached to the hermitage hotel it has a large shop selling hiking gear but quite expensive it has very few general items. The cafe on the first floor is welcome after the hiking but can get very crowded when the tours return. There is a small museum

My wife is really interested in Sir Edmund Hillary and we were really interested in visiting the museum. Don't bother. Most of the museum talks above the alpine centre and area itself. Yes, I find that somewhat interesting, but paying $25 per adult I thought I'd get more. Get a free month on Netflix and watch some documentaries instead.

Save yourself $25 and just don't bother with this. Vaguely interesting yes but at the end of the day it is poorly presented and isn't much more than a small collection of books and photos. So much more could be done to present the story of this man in an amazing way. Until then save yourself the money

We were only visitors for a short stay. Haven't made good use of this centre. You can get information here and can also buy supplies for the climbing the snow mountains. There' s also a museum and movie to watch. It's a pity that we didn't have time to enjoy all these. Hope I can stay a few days here next time when I came.

A great perspective o the history of the nz Alps and sir Edmund Hilary.

Tourist trap. You spend there 20 minutes for $25. Mount Cook National Park visitor centre nearby is much better and free.

Unforgettable Adventure on Ice! The Glacier Explorer tour was an incredible experience! Cruising among icebergs on the Tasman Lake, right next to the glacier face, was surreal. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, making it fun and educational. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close to a glacier – absolutely worth it!

Well organised and significant care factor throughout, we initially had to cancel due to poor weather and were put in a wait list, they had a cancellation on a following day and we were called straight away. Ben was an excellent guide and shared lots of interesting facts and made the tour. Icebergs and scenery were amazing, highly recommend to anyone visiting for a unique experience.

First time on a glacier, first time in front of an iceberg, first time tasting ice that’s tens of thousands of years old. Our guide, Tara, made the whole experience even more enjoyable: she was punctual, precise, kind, and attentive to every passenger on the boat. For my wife and me, it was a truly one-of-a-kind experience — one we’ll probably never get to repeat (at least not until our next trip to New Zealand).

Worth a visit Need to hike before reaching the boarding point and hike back after that Need to leave the bags then wear safety vest. Safety briefing on the boat. Informative and educational tour about the glaciers. Get to go up close and also taste the glaciers Our guide was awesome, he would rotate the boat to ensure everyone had good views, also helped us to take photos Windy and cooling when boat is speeding.

Ben our guide was top notch. Super knowledgeable and funny. Didn’t want the experience to end. 5 stars! - from your Scotland crew 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Great experience it's a must do if your in the area, bit of a hike from the car park to the boats.

This excursion is a MUST if you're visiting queenstown. It was our favourite activity (and we did lots of them). We drove to the Hermitage hotel (3 hours from Queenstown) and back in one day. You can also stay there. Anton, our guide, eat knowledgeable and friendly and made the experience excellent. Thank you for a beautiful day

We were so lucky to have a snow fall in October so we could enjoy having fun in the patches around. Visited the café and the visitors centre

“Mount Cook is beautiful in every way. The drive there is so good with amazing views all around. Snowy mountains, fresh air, and peaceful nature make it feel like heaven. A perfect place to relax and enjoy.”

The trip and hiking to Aoraki / Mt. Cook has been really interesting. The natural beauty and views of the natural environment there has been vibrant and amazing, the glacier there had dated to be thousands plus years old. Temperature drops significantly as you further hike up the altitudes. One of the most visitors and tourist attractive geographical feature in South Island, New Zealand.😍😊

Very nice view. 1st we went at evening and because it bevome sark early, then we come back next day. My kids very happy to play with snow

Loved going up there it's a good change of scenery away from city life

A beautiful outdoor hiking experience. The mountain views,river valleys and trails are absolutely worth the trip.

Lovely place. I went here with a tour. Hoping that I’ll visit the place again and do some camping!

An unforgettable experience on the Tasman Glacier! We did the Heli & Hike adventure and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip. The whole experience was very well organized from start to finish. Things kicked off with a safety briefing at 11:15, and by 12:00 we were up in the air, enjoying a breathtaking helicopter ride over the Southern Alps. Once on the glacier, we spent about 1 hour and 45 minutes exploring. This included gearing up with crampons and listening to a few final safety instructions before heading out. Our guide, Anna, was absolutely fantastic—super friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the glacier and its unique environment. We stopped at three stunning ice formations where we got to take photos, touch the glacier ice, and soak in the surreal surroundings. It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing on ancient ice like that—it was magical. The only reason we’re not giving it a full 5 stars is that we would’ve loved a bit more time on the glacier, especially considering the price of the tour. But overall, it was an incredible and memorable experience that we’d definitely recommend!

We had an absolutely amazing experience flying to the Tasman Glacier with Mark G as our pilot. From the moment we walked into reception, the customer service was outstanding. The staff at reception were warm, welcoming, and went above and beyond to answer all of our questions. They made us feel completely at ease and genuinely cared about making the whole experience special. Mark G was fantastic—professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly. He shared great insights during the flight, which made the journey even more memorable. Landing on the glacier was breathtaking. This company truly shines in both the quality of their flights and their incredible customer service. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we would recommend them without hesitation to anyone visiting the area.

We booked this Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier helicopter experience at the last minute, a day before the scheduled flight and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip! Our pilot, Josh, was fantastic - friendly, professional, and made us feel safe from start to finish. Even the staff that oriented for the pre-flight (forgot her name). The flight offered breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and the stunning Tasman Glacier. Landing on the glacier was absolutely surreal, and Josh even took a great photo of us to remember the moment. Everything was well-organized, and the pilot's commentary during the flight made the experience even more special. If you're visiting Mt Cook, don't miss this - it's worth every minute and every dollar!

We went for the ultimate alpine experience, which has a combo of an outbound trip to the Tasman glacier on a helicopter and inbound on a plane (or vice-versa). The views are breathtaking. The landing on / taking off from the glacier using a ski plane is a lot of fun - apparently the only ski plane in the Southern hemisphere !

When I booked it, I knew this would be the experience I was most hyped about for our honeymoon: the Ultimate Combo Experience with Inflite — landing on a glacier by helicopter and taking off again in a plane… …Unfortunately (or luckily), that’s not how it went. A few hours before the experience, I received an email from the company saying that due to strong winds everything would be cancelled and refunded. The hours that followed were quite sad, until I got a phone call saying that they would be able to run the flight the following morning. We got ready for the next day, arrived at the heliport, and a few minutes before departing we were told that the plane couldn’t take off and that we would be flying out and back only by helicopter. In that moment, I realised how much my fixation on a specific idea had been at risk of ruining my enjoyment. Forget the combo experience, forget the plane. They flew us onto a glacier, I had a snowball fight with my wife under glorious sunshine, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Sometimes things don’t go the way we plan — and they end up surprising us even more. Thank you to all the Inflite staff for your patience and kindness. If I ever return to the lands of Mount Cook, I’ll definitely book another helihike with you!

Amazing experience and super experienced and friendly pilots. Please plan some time to do this as it can get unexpectedly cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Our planned flight got cancelled but we got lucky and we could fly in the next morning. The staff were very friendly and helpful on the phone. Anyway incredible experience, excellent service, breathtaking views. What else could you ask for? 10/10

This was the most amazing tour we have ever done! Our guide Tori really made it so special showing us so many cool things to see on the glacier. She took the most amazing photos of us and went out of her way to keep us safe and ensure we had an extraordinary time. The flight to and from the glacier was beautiful and our pilot was a true professional. It was great value for money given how epic the adventure was with two full hours exploring the glacier. Add it to your bucket list and make it happen if you can!!!!

Booked thr GYG. Thanks helicopter line for the awesome experience on the Heli Hike on 24th Sept 11am (really thankful for the good weather too). We had 2 guides with us and they were both very informative and caring. Appreciate the smooth heli ride too.

Better than we could have ever imagined. Trip of a lifetime. Views were breathtaking & the experience outstanding. All staff have been fabulous even when we were first cancelled. Ground guys couldn’t do enough & went the extra mile to ensure our memorial was special - thx for the glasses. Josh our pilot was uber cool, we were in safe hands. Highly recommend, we can’t thank you all enough.

Kia ora, Thanks for your arrangement that I DO enjoyed the activity. I never see such magnificent views , that is more than awesome. Emma from Alpine Guides is really a thoughtful and professional instructor,Scott and Andy are also with kindness to inspire me up, that did release me from nervous mode. I hope we can meet up again. Sincerely, Helen

Honestly, the experience itself was decent, but the reason I’m rating three stars is I can’t help but feel like this was a bit of a tourist trap… and I left feeling slightly cheated. For about $1000 per person you get taken on a very short helicopter ride to do a 100m “hike” on Tasman Glacier. The hike isn’t really a hike, more a very short walk to two “caves” in the glacier. One of the caves was completely man made with pickaxes - which isn’t what this company advertises. The ice caves themselves look NOTHING like they do in the photos on the website - in reality they are very small and barely enough for one person. They’re not even really “caves” at all, more like just small holes in the ice that the guides carve out seats in If this experience were half the price it was I would still say it was overpriced. You are not going to get the grand meters tall ice walls they show you in the brochure Our guides on the other hand were great, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - which is the reason I did not give two stars. If you’re debating doing this trip because of the high price, I’d say skip it and save your money - there’s so much other great stuff to spend your money on in the South Island Also, guys, for $1000 it would be nice if you supplied boots in all sizes - I had to wear boots that were nearly two sizes too big. What are we doing here?

Simply amazing glacial walk experience with the best guide one would ever wish for - Narly. He seems to be a bit of a local legend having been up Mt Cook 45 times and even Everest! Extremely insightful experience which shows the real dynamic nature of glaciers.

Our guide, Carey, was amazing and watches over our safety really closely. He’s very engaging and made all of our comfortable from the beginning. High recommend this tour to view the tasman glacier as you’ll be in good hands.

Went helihiking with Brian. Great hike, easy and interesting. Brian really knows his stuff. Made the walk back to Glenntanner an incredible experience.

This track is very easy and quick if you are looking for something to do. The views are good and similar to Hooker Valley Track from the same starting point. The trail is well maintained.

A reasonably easy trek up this track to view the glaciers at the spectacular Kea point. The views at the end are worth it, and so is the beautiful walk up to this point. I could do it with a child on my back. Highly recommended.

Easy and short hike with fantastic views. If hooker valley is too long and crowded for your taste, kea point is a good alternative, although Hooked Valley is still quite a bit better in my opinion, if it wasn’t for the sea of tourists, but hey, I’m one of them so can’t complain 🤷🏻‍♀️ we brought pizza from the store Edmund Hillary cafe at the hermitage, although the pizza was cold when we arrived, it was still delicious after a hike 😂👍

easy hike with good scenery throughout. Mueller Lake is a bit underwhelming though. should be the easiest walk in the Mt Cook area - easier than Tasman Glvier viewpoint.

Kea point look out track is pretty easy track. About 30minutes of walk to reach the kea point from the parking area. Not much of a climb, even old people were completing the stretch. Kea point overlooks the Meuller lake, you can also see the Mt Sefton, Mt Cook from here. If you want to choose between Hooker valley track and Kea track and if you have 3hrs to spare - then go for Hooker valley ..

Very lovely easy walk to a nice view of the Mountains! Took us about 50 mins return at a slow pace!

I saw the glacier for the first time in my life here, and was deeply moved! The scenery is magnificent and surprisingly accessible—highly recommended for casual travelers!

Tasman Lake is an incredible kayaking experience. As an ex-kayak-guide this is by far the best tour I've been on; gorgeous blue water, many icebergs (two rolled while we were on the water), perfect conditions (very luckily), and what a view of both Mt Cook and Mt Tasman! Highly recommend if you'd like to see the mountains from a different perspective - but keep in mind, this is not for beginner kayakers. Thank you Sean for being the damn best guide; funny, very friendly, relaxed and very knowledgeable, especially in his short time in NZ. Thanks Charlie and team for this amazing experience!

I just had the most amazing heli hiking experience on the Tasman glacier going into ice caves with the best guide! The ice caves were a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'll never forget! You cant get a better guide then Charlie Hobbs!

We were so fortunate to be able to take the heli-hike tour with Charlie up to Tasman Glacier. It was truly an experience we'll never forget - the scenery, helicopter ride, and glacier hiking experience cannot be topped, and Charlie's extensive experience as a glacier guide was so appreciated. We were able to traverse and learn so much about the glacier from the man who's done it all! Thanks Charlie!

My wife and I decided last minute to book a heli-hike tour with Southern Alps Guiding and got really lucky nabbing the last two remaining seats on our last day in the Mt. Cook area. The heli-hike turned into of the best experiences of our entire trip to New Zealand! Our glacier guide, Charlie made the entire experience very engaging and took us through some light hikes and ice cave tours. We would absolutely recommend booking (in advance) with Sothern Alps Guiding!

Awesome day out skiing the Tasman, super accommodating and professional for me and our daughter, can't wait to go again. Highly recommend. Absolute highlight of our ski season

My wife and I were tossing up whether to do a heli experience or kayaking and ultimately chose kayaking to properly get in touch with the landscape and couldn’t be happier with the experience we ultimately received. Our guide Derek was extremely knowledgeable and up for a chat. Cruising around the lake at a leisurely pace and checking out the bergs and bergy bits will be a highlight of this trip! I was even impressed by the courtesy of the boat operators getting around preventing us novice kayakers from having to deal with their wake. Overall great experience

Unforgettable Adventure on Ice! The Glacier Explorer tour was an incredible experience! Cruising among icebergs on the Tasman Lake, right next to the glacier face, was surreal. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, making it fun and educational. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close to a glacier – absolutely worth it!

Well organised and significant care factor throughout, we initially had to cancel due to poor weather and were put in a wait list, they had a cancellation on a following day and we were called straight away. Ben was an excellent guide and shared lots of interesting facts and made the tour. Icebergs and scenery were amazing, highly recommend to anyone visiting for a unique experience.

First time on a glacier, first time in front of an iceberg, first time tasting ice that’s tens of thousands of years old. Our guide, Tara, made the whole experience even more enjoyable: she was punctual, precise, kind, and attentive to every passenger on the boat. For my wife and me, it was a truly one-of-a-kind experience — one we’ll probably never get to repeat (at least not until our next trip to New Zealand).

Worth a visit Need to hike before reaching the boarding point and hike back after that Need to leave the bags then wear safety vest. Safety briefing on the boat. Informative and educational tour about the glaciers. Get to go up close and also taste the glaciers Our guide was awesome, he would rotate the boat to ensure everyone had good views, also helped us to take photos Windy and cooling when boat is speeding.

Ben our guide was top notch. Super knowledgeable and funny. Didn’t want the experience to end. 5 stars! - from your Scotland crew 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Great experience it's a must do if your in the area, bit of a hike from the car park to the boats.

This excursion is a MUST if you're visiting queenstown. It was our favourite activity (and we did lots of them). We drove to the Hermitage hotel (3 hours from Queenstown) and back in one day. You can also stay there. Anton, our guide, eat knowledgeable and friendly and made the experience excellent. Thank you for a beautiful day

We didn’t really complete the hike as there were too many stairs and elevation. Do travel light if possible and be prepared for lots of elevations. Start point is around 5-10 minutes from carpark which is free.

The Sealy Tarns Track is a challenging but incredibly rewarding hike that offers some of the most breathtaking alpine views in the Mount Cook National Park. Be prepared for a serious workout as there are a lot of stairs (over 2,200), and the elevation gain is no joke. While the summit tarns themselves were recently frozen over due to a recent avalanche and lingering snow, the views along the way more than made up for it. In fact, the lookout points during the ascent arguably offered better scenery than the summit this time around. There was a significant amount of snow and ice on the track, especially higher up. Microspikes and hiking poles are highly recommended for traction and stability—it can get dangerously slippery. Temperature fluctuations between sun-exposed and shaded areas also created varying trail conditions, making it even more essential to come well-prepared. This is a difficult but beautiful hike that should not be underestimated. It can be dangerous if you're not equipped for alpine conditions. Bring proper gear, check the weather, and don’t come unprepared.

Place had fantastic view and a great hike. But definitely not moderate and do include more time if needed. Steep section of stairs with no handle rails. Please bring a hiking pole and wear hiking shoes.

Pretty steep but worth it once you get to the top! Did it on a clear day with no poles / good hiking shoes and was absolutely fine. We did the return journey in just over two hours (as two fairly fit people!).

The most honest review you'll get: People were doing it without much of an exercise background, and not in hiking gear, just takes longer - maybe 2+hrs up. I did it in 50 min up because it was breezy/ cool temp wise and only stopped for a couple water swigs and to let people pass since up/down is the same staircase. But it wasn't overcrowded. My friends who are a bit less active got up in 1h20m with some breaks (there's some little benches/rocks available) And lastly, my friend who just had a hip replacement did it in about 1h45m going at her own pace. The mental component is most challenging not knowing how far you are but i think the yellow emergency kit was the halfway point or at least it felt that way. You can't miss it and there's only one. The view at the top is worth it. There's a small lake up there and 360* views. You can see a little more than 50% of the view if you stop mid way up. The down was the most difficult with uneven steps and constant pounding on the knees but i also made it down in about 45 min so i was going semi quick with a few stops to stretch. I'm glad i didn't bring a day pack. Just brought a rain jacket, sweatpants over shorts and bag with 1L water which was plenty given the weather. And a chocolate croissant to refuel at the top. So happy i did it. Some of the best views on the trip.

We visited in early November, so there was still snow at the top, and even though the hike was quite demanding with all those stairs, it was absolutely worth it. We took frequent breaks whenever we felt it was needed, which helped us reach the summit comfortably, and this approach made the whole climb very manageable. The views were beautiful, and since the track to Hooker Lake is closed from the second swing bridge onward, this is the only way to see the lake right now.

It takes 1.5 hr to walk up from the bottom, road are no slippy in august and no ice cracker is needed. But it’s quite tiring to walk up 2500 stairs haha. But the view worth it!

Visited Hooker Valley in September 2025, and it was one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in New Zealand! The trail is well-marked, flat and accessible, making it perfect for all ages. Along the way, we crossed three beautiful suspension bridges, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and rivers. The scenery is constantly changing, from braided glacial rivers and tussock-filled valleys to snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The highlight of the walk is Hooker Lake itself, with its turquoise waters and icebergs floating gently on the surface. The view of Mount Cook reflecting on the lake was breathtaking — truly a picture-perfect moment. Even though it was early spring, the air was crisp and refreshing, and there were still patches of snow that added to the dramatic landscape. We spent time at the lake, taking photos and enjoying the peacefulness of the area. The trail is about 10 km return but it feels easy thanks to the well-maintained path and gentle terrain. Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It’s accessible, scenic and offers some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers alike!

Hooker Valley Track – Absolutely Breathtaking! We were blessed with great weather — clear skies but a bit chilly, which made the walk refreshing! Only the first bridge was open during our visit, so it was a shorter trail (about 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total), but still totally worth it. The view was absolutely breathtaking — snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear water, and that stunning Mt Cook backdrop. Even with the limited access, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone heading to the area. ❄️✨

Good place to trek. Exceeded my expectations. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I had a good enjoyable exercise day. 2 of the bridges were still closed but it's still worth going. Not difficult to walk. I saw people with wheelchairs along the way. Highly recommended.

Hike was done in early Oct , 2nd swing bridge is closed so we didnt find the terrain too difficult. Very scenic. Great weather on the day we hiked so all was good. Highly recommended.

Stunning scenarios and views. Would reccomend to go on a hike here. We came during spring, the weather was good, there wasn't much of a crowd and the air was fresh and clean. The hiking trails are decent, safe, and can be easily spotted so its really hard to get loss.

This world-famous track is all over social media on a blue-sky day, but honestly, it’s just as stunning when the weather turns moody — cloudy or light rain gives the whole valley a dramatic, almost mystical vibe. Of course, if it’s pouring down or snowing heavily, it’s better to stay away for safety reasons. And on a foggy day, visibility gets so low that walking into the valley kind of defeats the purpose. The track itself is medium-level at most. With some basic gear you can easily finish it. Still, whether it’s summer or winter, make sure you bring proper layers and rain protection — the weather in the valley isn’t exactly four-seasons-in-one-day, but it can be as unpredictable as someone in love. The swing bridges, the glacier lake and the Hooker River are absolute highlights — not that you can miss them anyway. If you’re lucky, you might catch a full view of Aoraki / Mt Cook, but most of the time the summit hides behind the clouds. And if you ever get to witness the golden glow on the peak at sunrise or sunset, that’s pure magic — a real blessing. Trust me, unless the track is closed or visibility is dangerously low, spending around four hours here is worth it at any time.

it was a bit crowded when we visited in the beginning of march, but we were lucky to get a parking slot 😅 the way leads you through the stunning scenery of the mountains along the amazing glacier river until the lake - no steep part, it goes up and down in a really easy way and is mostly flat... also some boardwalk parts and three swing bridges to cross the river 😍🥰 definitely a must-do👍🏻✨️

The view at the top definitely is worth the steep climb. Highly recommend especially when Hooker Valley is closed.

The hike is steep, but not too long, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was definitely worth the effort to get to the top! he surrounding mountains made the perfect backdrop for some amazing photos. I highly recommend this hike to anyone who loves nature and wants to see some of the most beautiful views has to offer!

Embarking on the Red Tarns Track in New Zealand is an exhilarating journey into alpine beauty. The trail's steep uphills demand effort, but the reward is the unrivaled spectacle awaiting at the summit. The panoramic views from Red Tarns showcase New Zealand's rugged charm, with the Southern Alps standing majestically on the horizon. The ascent unveils a different perspective of Mount Cook, adding a touch of awe to the adventure. As you navigate the track, the landscape transforms, revealing vibrant flora and the pristine beauty of alpine tarns. The sense of accomplishment at the summit is matched only by the awe-inspiring scenery, making the Red Tarns Track a must for hikers seeking a challenging yet gratifying exploration of New Zealand's natural wonders. Must bring enough water when hike on this track. Seldom visitors would come here, but if you have enough time I would highly recommend you to get to summit and enjoy a totally different view of Mt. Cook.

Amazing somewhat hidden away track trail..most tourists never get to experience... Its steep but well formed track... Great for a nice weather day... Awesome views from the top... 350mtr climb..allows Around 2.5 hrs return back to the Mt Cook Village.... Highly recommended...

Takes 1:30-2:15 hours to complete (return included). A lot of steps (over 1.000). Amazing view at the end.

One of the best walks I’ve done in NZ. Quite steep so it keeps the hoards away (thank god). Well worth the effort. A hidden gem.

Had a short stop here on the was to summit mount Sebastopol, safe but steep track benches and views enroute. If you continue up the scree for another 200 vertical meters you will find more tarns. Be aware the summit of Sebastopol is quite exposed and not for beginners.

What a memorable day. Blue skies, great views, no wind and 20cm of soft powder. Skiing was cruisy even for a 69 year old.

A truly magnificent day spent on the glacier with the Alpine Guides team. If you are looking for a calm, safe, relaxed, fun and professional way to introduce yourself to heli skiing, then this is it - bar none! Led by the extraordinary AGL guides JR and Woody, during the entire tour we were either gaining knowledge, having fun, being entertained and skiing some nice untouched lines on varying terrain. Would recommend to anyone of low intermediate or better ski ability. Thanks AGL!

What a fantastic trip !!! You embrace the enviroment your in. Easy skiing with the guide giving you tips on how to ski powder. Totally recommend the adventure. Heli pilots also excellent !!!

Such an incredible day. Unbelievable scenery fantastic guide (thanks Tai!) and a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve skied all my life and in many different countries; this is hard to beat. Thanks team

Awesome day. We had been thinking about doing this and the planets aligned. Weather forecast fine, nearby, and skiing legs working. It was better than imagined. We had the excellent guiding of Mal and Dave, who were confidence inspiring and this was an absolute chill and fun day. Thanks guys. The helicopter trip was an event all of its own, thanks to Daniel. The masterpiece in all this is Aoraki and the glacier, no words to describe.

I booked Ski The Tasman Glacier with a bunch of friends to celebrate my 40th birthday. It was AMAZING! We had a bluebird day, beautiful snow and skiing amongst those majestic mountains was an incredible experience. I highly recommend this trip, even to those with limited powder skiing experience!

Ski the Tasman was more-than-fabulous. Most importantly, just wow - the most awesome mountain environment. Pristine snow (no-one else is licensed for this trip), glittering in the alpine sun. Fun mix of easy and medium skiing. (All supported by great communication from the team. Highly professional operation that takes safety reassuringly seriously)