Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

Looking for the best hiking in Mount Cook National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Cook National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Mount Cook National Park

  • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

    Hike the Mount John Walkway

    From the lakefront, walk left until you reach the trailhead. It takes around 1-1.5 hours to walk it at an average pace. The track is on privately owned land, so expect for sheep to be nearby at all times.You can mountain bike the trail if you wish to. The trail varies from long, drawn out section...
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  • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

    Visit Mt. John Observatory

    This is a 1032m peak with amazing scenery is surrounded by the beautiful Lake Tekapo. Keep in mind that it gets very windy the higher you go. There is an entry fee for vehicles and tours of the observatory are available. 
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack MacPherson Creek to Lake Barra

    5.0
    7.5 mi / 5249.3 ft gain
    If you’re ready for an advanced challenge to suit any adventurous spirit and have the skills to navigate complicated terrain then the narrow MacPherson Creek drainage on the fringes of Mount Aspiring National Park may grab your interest. Diving in from the MacPherson Creek bridge on the Haast Roa...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Backpack the Brewster Hut Track

    5.0
    11.2 mi / 5656 ft gain
    Twenty kilometers north of Haast Pass (568m/1864ft) there is a carpark for Fantail Falls, a beautiful waterfall with numerous rock cairns displayed at its base. From here, take a 3-4 hour hike along Brewster Hut Track (more like climb) through beech forest and then alpine tussock to reach Brewste...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Hike Brewster Track to Mt. Armstrong

    5.0
    5.6 mi / 5577.4 ft gain
    After a short walk from the Fantail Falls parking lot, the trail crosses the river to reach the beginning of the track. It's unlikely you'll avoid getting your feet wet.The track heads up through the steep and rooted slopes until you break treeline after several thousand feet of elevation gain. N...
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  • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

    Hike to the Summit of Mt Sunday

    4.0
    2.2 mi / 328.1 ft gain
    From the car park follow an old road track / stream bed until it narrows into a scenic walking track. Cross the swing bridge and ascend the south side of the mountain to its picturesque summit. Alpine views abound in all directions. It's easy to see why it was selected as a LOTR set location.This...
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  • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

    Hike to the Blue Pools

    4.5
    0.3 mi / 10 ft gain
    From the carpark the trail can easily be identified across the street. A short walk through native beech forest and over a long swing-bridge takes you to the boardwalk just before reaching the bridge over the Blue Pools.  
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  • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

    Hike to the Summit of Mt. Guy

    6.2 mi / 2139.1 ft gain
    Park at the Lake Clearwater trailhead where you are immediately greeted by some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. The hiking track follows the lake shore around the west end before breaking off to the right and ascending Mt Guy in typical New Zealand fashion, without switchbacks. After a l...
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