Arriving at your destination after dark, is always a risk … mostly due to worries about finding the right place OK.  However, it can be great fun to open up the blinds in the morning and see where you are?? The glaciated Hooker valley greeted us on a spontaneous trip to Aoraki / Mt Cook last week.  Mt Cook is a must see for anyone who is visiting New Zealand … not just because the mountain(s) are so awesome, but because the lakes along the way are so unusual due to the vibrant colours from the glacial runoff – they draw you in a prolonged and ever enticing manner as you wonder what beautiful vista lies just around the next corner, or over the next hill. Mt Cook village is 4-5+ hours Southwest of Christchurch (depending on how many stops you make along the way).

Making the most of a nice day, we hiked up to see the Hooker Glacier.  This is one of my wife’s favourite walks in New Zealand, and we’ve been on quite a few.  The scale of the valley is hard to describe, and photos do not do justice to the mountains.  The next photo shows the view down towards The Hermitage hotel, with the inset picture providing some context of scale.

The return hike from the campground at the end of the road, is just 12 km (7.5 mi), but included three swing bridges over the raw river roaring below, and many, many vantage points for fantastic views of Aoraki / Mt Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand at 3,724 m (12,218 ft) – it lost about 30-40 m during a major rockslide in 1991.

Still pictures don’t capture the ferocity of the river, but this short video clip helps make it more real:  Walk Over Suspension Bridge

We were fortunate to have spectacular weather, but noted that the sun was very strong (due to Ozone hole). Still it made the rugged peaks seem more vibrant.

While the hike is about 3 hr (return), it’s worth taking extra stops along the way … and enjoy the glacial lake at the end of this amazing walk.  Photo’s don’t do justice to the size and scale of the mountains that surround you.

But the best part for us was the waterfalls from the various glaciers that clung to the upper slopes, seemingly impossible not to slide off at any moment.

Dad’s Recommendation:

This trip was a spontaneous day away … because we had to postpone a longer Anniversary trip due to a family bereavement and subsequent funeral a week later. Considering the stress of life circumstances … the mountains seemed such a peaceful retreat, a welcome respite for those who are weary.  Whatever stress you have in your life … perhaps a trip to the mountains are in order. Also, take a packed lunch with you if you do the Hooker Valley walk … you’ll want to stay and enjoy the natural ambiance for a while (hint walk down to the lake and find a quiet spot).  This was one of Colette’s favorite hikes ever!  She liked that it was a day trip and the entire walk had beautiful views! I went back several other times and took Luke on the hike and Anna-Kate on the hike!  It’s important to make memories!

Travel Tips:

The Hermitage Hotel is the ‘famous’ place to stay, but will cost a bit more.  There are also some other less expensive options, like camping, cabins, or motel – but these all can fill up during the peak season (summer holidays in January). Contact us if you need help putting together an itinerary with more specific activities.