Aoraki / Mount Cook – Hiking Among New Zealand’s Highest Peaks
- adriana hamelin
- Aug 30, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
We left Queenstown around noon for Mount Cook, a three-hour drive that turned into a sunset arrival. The route via the Crown Range Road (the highest main road in NZ at 1,076m) was stunning, with a couple of photo stops for sweeping valley views. Even in mild winter, conditions can change quickly, so it’s worth checking the MetService traffic cams before heading out.
We skipped Arrowtown this time since we had visited the previous day, but made a longer stop in Wanaka. Of course, we had to see the iconic Wanaka Tree. With the sun directly in front of us, photos didn’t quite capture its magic, but it was easy to imagine the crowds this lakeside spot draws in summer. The beach is wide, though not the soft white-sand kind.
The real highlight in Wanaka for us? The grocery store! We wandered for over an hour, stocking up on gluten- and dairy-free finds (plus some fried chicken from Queenstown). By the time we reached Twizel, our electric car was down to about 30%. We decided to recharge there rather than risk an occupied or non-working charger at Mount Cook Village. That meant missing a sunset drive, but waking up to the "open the curtains to see what’s outside" reveal the next morning was magical.
Staying at the Hermitage Hotel
In Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, accommodation options are limited. We stayed two nights at the Hermitage Hotel, which feels like the heart of the village. Our room had spectacular mountain views.
The hotel runs a buffet restaurant (with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options), we decided to enjoy our grocery-store feast instead. Still, the Hermitage is worth visiting for more than just a bed:
It houses the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
They run stargazing tours — the area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best places in the world to see the night sky. We skipped it unfortunately.
Hiking in Mount Cook
There isn’t much else in Mount Cook Village besides hiking, glaciers, and stars but that’s more than enough.
Hooker Valley Track
This is the most famous hike in the park, and for good reason. The trail is wide, well-maintained, and crosses several swing bridges with perfectly framed mountain views. At the time of our visit, construction work meant the trail was closed about 35 minutes in, so we couldn’t reach the lake. Still, it was a peaceful walk with benches to sit and take in the dramatic scenery.
📍 Tip: From the Hooker Valley parking lot, there are other connecting trails, including a path back to the village (about 30 minutes).
Tasman Glacier View Track
A short 15-minute drive away, this trail has two options from the same car park:
Left side (Viewpoint Track): A steep climb up many stairs, but the reward is a sweeping view over Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier in New Zealand. We sat here for half an hour, just watching, photographing, and snacking.
Right side (Lake Jetty): A flat walk leading to the lake’s edge. It’s less dramatic than the viewpoint, but we did see chunks of floating ice up close.
If you only have one night, you could fit in both Hooker Valley and Tasman Glacier, but staying two nights gave us time to linger without rushing.
Weather & What to Bring
Days were sunny, so we never needed hats or gloves, but temperatures drop fast in the evening.
Some hikers were bundled in snow pants, which looked far too warm for how strong the sun felt.
Layers and sturdy shoes were perfect.
Heli-hiking tours are also available, but they sell out quickly. We didn’t book ahead (and only had jeans and hiking shoes, which aren’t allowed), so we passed this time.
Final Thoughts
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is raw, rugged, and beautiful with 19 peaks over 3,000m, including New Zealand’s tallest mountain. The hikes aren’t overly technical, so you can enjoy the scenery whether you’re up for a gentle valley walk or a steep stair climb to glacier views.
If you’re Canadian like us, you might be tempted to compare it to the Rockies. Banff and Jasper in Alberta, or the volcanic Coast Mountains near Whistler, offer a similar scale of mountains. Still, there’s something unique about being so close to the Southern Alps, with glaciers and stargazing opportunities right outside your window.
We left feeling refreshed, cozy, and grateful for the kind of beauty that makes you stop, sit, and just breathe it all in.
👉 You might also like: North vs South Island: Which One Stole Our Hearts?
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