There are countless day hikes to choose from in New Zealand, especially in South Island. It was difficult to narrow down which ones we were going to do on such a short agenda, but I knew that The Hooker Valley track had to make our list of day walks this time around.
Located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, the Hooker Valley track is an hour’s drive from Twizel or Tekapo, two perfect places to stay if you want to explore the Mt. Cook area. The track starts at a campground and makes its way past Mueller Lake and ends at Hooker Lake. The entire time, you have magnificent Mt. Cook as your backdrop.
The track begins as a flat path through some shrubbery and trees. You will look back and see the valley floor, and when you look forward you will see Mt. Cook. There are three bridges to take you across wide glacial rivers. The first one crosses Mueller Lake, and is a fantastic sight to behold.
The track is well maintained. I would say that even beginner hikers and young children can enjoy this track. A majority of it is either gravel or a wooden walkway with a wire mesh to improve footing in the colder, icier months. Most of the track is open, which makes for great views, but could get hot on a sunny day. Make sure to pack layers of clothing, as weather in this region can change very quickly.
If you are lucky like us, you will encounter Kea along the way. A special New Zealand dove, these Kea are known for their curiosity and smarts. They say that a Kea’s brain is as developed as a two year old human’s brain. These fun and flighty birds will come up to you real close, but be careful. They are mischievous, and love stealing personal belongings or trying to get inside your cars. You can’t help but love them though, what with their beautiful green color and bright red under-wings. Plus, they’ve got a beautiful bird song, to boot.
At the very end of the track, you reach Hooker Lake. There are picnic tables for eating lunches, and an opportunity for you to walk right down to the water’s edge. Along the lake, you will see icebergs floating, even on a warm summer’s day. Mike made use of the quiet lake and skipped some rocks that he had been collecting on our trip.
The best time to walk the track is very early in the morning. We headed out at 6 am, and were rewarded with the sun peaking out from behind the mountains. It was such a treat to be able to walk the track peacefully, what with just us two to enjoy most of the way. Be aware that especially during peak season (December to February), the track can get very busy as early as 8 am. For us, it isn’t as enjoyable with the crowds, so it was good that we set out so early.
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