TZThe Hooker Valley Track is a fairly comfortable and fulfilling track. I especially like it because it is very relaxing and the view you get is too good to be true for the amount of effort required for this walk! On clear days, you get to enjoy the best Southern Alps landscapes and glaciers in the shadows of Mount Cook. You can choose to walk this track at dawn when you can view the sunrise over the Southern Alps. Otherwise, any other time of the day actually seems fine too if you are not in a rush for time! I visited the track in the late morning to afternoon and the views were equally breath-taking.
During my time in New Zealand, I somehow managed to visit this track twice, once during autumn in early March and another during winter in late April. Both times, despite them being slightly more than a month apart, offered spectacularly different views of the same place. In early March, the alpines and surrounding region was still a good mix of lush green, yellow and brown. However, in April, the view changed dramatically to white snow-capped mountains with minimal greens and yellows. Both landscapes were such a feast to the eyes!
The lush green and yellow of Autumn
It was early Autumn in New Zealand when I visited Hooker Valley Track for the first time during early March. I started the hike at about 10 to 11am in the morning after having breakfast and ended at 1 to 2pm with ample time to continue our drive down to our next destination. There were many parking lots at the car park too and I had no finding a lot.
I could see the lush green and yellow of the Hooker Valley Track from afar even before I began tracking. The weather was comfortable enough to track light, but you may want to bring along an extra windbreaker because of the possible strong winds at the end of the track. I then tracked through for 1.5 hours on a fairly flat track throughout, and across three bridges before finally getting to the end point.
I actually planned to have a snack while taking a break at the end of the track. However, the winds at the very end was so strong that I had to leave almost as soon as I arrived. Though it was very cloudy and windy, I managed to take a photo of the end point as below. Can you spot the melting glacier ice that is floating in the lake? Some actually chose to hike downwards to get closer to the lake, but otherwise, this is a pretty good spot to take a final look of the Hooker Lake before heading back!
Through the snow-capped valley during Winter
Sometime late April, I returned to the Hooker Valley Track. This time welcoming the start of Winter as I tracked through a white snow-capped valley. I was so pleasantly surprised by the views that only got better and better as I progressed on with the hike.
I started the hike seeing a yellow alpine environment coupled with snow-capped mountains. I thought this view was to remain for the rest of the hike. However, as we got deeper into the track, the scenery became whiter and whiter. The alpine environment was covered with a fresh layer of snow, the streams had a icy blue colour and the sound of the gushing streams made the view even more spectacular. I just couldn’t stop my jaw from dropping as this scenery was definitely not what I was imagining.
Just look at this view, isn’t it pretty? I captured it randomly while crossing one of the bridges and I just cannot describe how picturesque everything looks here. I hope you do visit this place someday too!
What you need to know about the Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track is a 10km trail that takes about 3 hours return. Make sure you set aside enough time for the return trip and even bring some snacks in case you get hungry along the way! You can also park your car at the end of Hooker Valley Road, where the entrance to the track is located at too. There’s also a toilet before you begin or after you end your journey, and one other toilet along the way. Then, pack a lightweight waterproof jacket or windbreaker in your bag, depending on the season you’re there at. Finally, you’re all ready to enjoy your track! Have fun and stay safe~
Do check out my other favourite hikes in New Zealand too and add them to your bucket list!
