Hike to Glacial Lake Hooker
Glacial lake overlooking Mount Cook
Hooker Valley Track is one of the best short tours in New Zealand. The route in the Hooker Valley leads through the stunning landscape of the Southern Alps to a glacial lake, where it ends with a magnificent view of New Zealand's highest mountain – Mount Cook.
On the way over three bridges
The trail leads through the sacred Maori area of Topuni in the Hooker Valley towards Mount Cook **. From the first of the three bridges that are along the way, you can enjoy the view of Lake Mueller, from the second there are wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and from the last it is only a short walk to the glacial lake itself.
View of Mount Cook
The landscape in the valley is really beautiful and at any moment you can (at least in the spring) hear crackling ice or a landslide of a small avalanche from the surrounding snowy mountains.
Blooming spring valley
In the valley there is a diverse vegetation, mostly colored golden, in some places flowers bloom and there are also small lakes and pieces of rocks, many of which are overgrown with moss and lichens.
Glacial lake
At the very end of the trail is Hooker Lake, formed by a melting glacier that stretches from Mount Cook. Dozens of ice floes float on the surface and I can confirm that the water is really very icy. But what would I not do for a photo in such a beautiful place, right? :-)
Night sky
If you stay overnight, for example at the local ** White Horse Hill Camping **, where the trail begins and ends, you can observe the beautiful night sky in clear weather. It is one of only three places on our planet that have received the so-called „golden status“ for observing the night sky – ** Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve **
Peter's Lookout
On the way to the Hooker Valley and on the way back, it is possible to stop at the magnificent Peter's Lookout, which stands next to the huge and beautiful blue Lake Pukaki.
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