Hooker Valley, New Zealand
When did I visit: End of December, early morning around 7am.
Track distance & time to complete: 10km / 3 hours return. Very easy and flat.
Temperature: Varies, can be chilly in the morning even if there’s summer sun. 10-15 degrees Celsius.
Parking: Plenty of free parking at White Horse Hill campsite. 5 min drive from Aoraki / Mt Cook village.
Exact location: Hooker Valley, New Zealand on Google Maps
Waking up at 5 in the morning is… Well, give me coffee and everything will be fine.
We were nested in a small cabin in Twizel, a town south of Lake Pukaki. That meant we had less than an hour to reach the starting point of the Hooker Valley track in Mt Cook National Park before sunrise. Our main hope was catching a majestic golden hour view over Aoraki / Mt Cook on our way there. After about 20 minutes of driving we were in for a treat.
I don’t think any amount of coffee ever had a more awakening effect on me than this view.
The sights were beyond words, we just had to pull over. Rugged peaks being warmly illuminated and gradients of colour stretching down into the valley. Trying to balance between continuously staring at the mountain and taking as many shots as possible, my fingers were slowly getting frozen and I had to get back in the car. Bianca had already generously turned the heater on.
We kept driving for another 30-40 minutes and arrived at the Mt Cook National Park village. Lots and lots of little bunny rabbits were hopping along, and most of the tents on the campground were still quiet and asleep.
A win for us. Hooker Valley, here we come.
Across three swing bridges and a 10km track, Hooker Valley follows a route that would lead us to the glacial Hooker Lake. There, we’d apparently witness jaw-dropping views of Aoraki / Mt Cook. Equipped with food supplies, our light gear and warm clothing, we had started the 3-hour return hike.
The terrain was fairly flat. The sounds of rabbits jumping into the bushes were occasionally interrupted by powerful thundering from unseen avalanches somewhere far from us. We’d stop, look around, and if we were lucky enough – we’d get a glimpse of them somewhere in the surrounding mountains.
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After a bit of a walk, Aoraki started showing its full glory and it gave me a whole new perspective of things. Or rather, a new perspective of myself in comparison to the world around me.
It’s difficult to describe the feeling you get when you’re surrounded by giants. Humility? Admiration? Calmness?
I guess all of them at once, and more.
We continued onward, trying to keep our chats to a minimum and absorb the nature surrounding us. It seemed that every 100 meters, we’d get rewarded with more beautiful sights, so our journey was slowed down by stopping to take photos and videos. I knew that those shots would keep me going long after I’ve returned in the urban jungle I call home.
Hooker Lake was right around the corner, and it was one of the most spectacular views I’ve experienced.
This is a place of wonder.
A glacial lake with floating icebergs at the near base of Aoraki / Mt Cook. The only thing that would make it even better? Enjoying our breakfast while soaking up the views. And that’s exactly what happened.
We spent some time attempting to capture it all with our cameras and phones, although I think nothing beats the feeling and experience of just being there yourself.
It wasn’t an easy decision to start our return journey, but we knew that all those stunning sights were still waiting for us, in reverse. And what better way to spend the rest of the morning?
Thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed the story and images of my journey.
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