Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024

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Mt Cook Village & Hooker Valley

Hooker Valley Track

Mt Cook Village, Canterbury

Submitted by Tom Booth

Last Updated: 29th Mar 2024

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 15 ?

Gnarl Factor: 13 ?

16.0km

230m

230m

850m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Lakeside

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

5%
10%
85%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -5.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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

JO

Jade Overy

has completed Mt Cook Village & Hooker Valley once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

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.

Kristie Leigh

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.

Chris Seymour

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

Anna Scheirlinck

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.

Dominica Cresswell

July 12, 2018

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