Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024
Mt Cook Village & Hooker Valley
Hooker Valley Track
Submitted by Tom Booth
Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 15 ?
Gnarl Factor: 13 ?
16.0km
230m
230m
850m
Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024
Hooker Valley Track
Submitted by Tom Booth
Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 15 ?
Gnarl Factor: 13 ?
16.0km
230m
230m
850m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Lakeside
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +5.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -5.1%
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2:15
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:15
Fast
This route starts at the YHA (though can be started at the hotel for a 14km route or at the campground for an 8k route). From the car park of the YHA you will see a footpath, this runs between the hostel and the school. Step on to this and follow the track which goes across the road for a nice gentle flowing warm up through the village, follow this to the top of the village and up the steps. At the top of the steps turn right toward the hotel entrance and then start to follow the green DOC signs pointing to Whitehorse hill Campground and the Hooker valley.
Fork right when the track splits and keep following to Whitehorse Hill campground. From here cross the road and head on to the Hooker Valley track. From here its a 4k out and back to the viewpoint. Definitely worth a break on a clear day to admire the views! Then re-trace your steps back to your starting point!
The whole Hooker Valley has views for days! Rivers, mountains and glaciers!! Hooker glaciers and views of Mt Cook at halfway on a clear day!
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Car parking at Mt Cook village and at all 3 start points mentioned. The public shelter at the start of the Red tarns track has parking too and public toilets (the toilets at the YHA are NOT public toilets)
0 km
0 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Navigation is pretty simple, everywhere is well signposted.
Unknown.
Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Headtorch and spare batteries
Water can be obtained at the campground.
As much as this is some prime trail running its also a favourite for tourists walking. I would strongly suggest getting out early as it's much quieter and you have to dodge less people.
People are probably the main hazard on this one. As mentioned before go early and you will have no worries!
Old mountaineers Cafe
Near the Doc office
https://m.facebook.com/theoldmountaineerscafe/
Good food and good views.. What more do you need!!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mt Cook Village & Hooker Valley
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Beautiful run. I ran from the campground and it ended up around 10km on Strava.
Ran it in (Winter) July and microspikes were very helpful. I saw a lot of walkers slipping, sliding, and falling over on the ice. I wasn't expecting it to be busy in winter, but it was a bluebird day and I was late getting up there and it was pretty pretty busy!
I loved this run so will try make time to return and do it another time, earlier in the morning.
July 7
Ran this trail around 7am on a perfect bluebird spring day. The earlier you get out there, the better views on a clear day of Aoraki reflecting on the lake.
September 7, 2020
Can't beat it really. We started from the white horse campground, during non peak times is best so you don't have to dodge too many tourists. Absolutely stunning
August 20, 2020
Wonderful run, definitely need to be prepared for all weather though as it was freezing at times. I found the run out took quite a lot longer with a head wind (and hail) but one of those runs that made me think, "this is why I run". Thank you to the person who submitted it.
July 12, 2018
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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