The Aoraki Mount Cook region is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world; we also have some of the best walks and hikes in the world.
When it comes to trekking, walking, tramping and hiking in Aoraki Mount Cook there is something for everyone - from easy half hour walks along formed paths, to alpine hikes that can last days and take you into the vast wilderness of the Southern Alps. For the particularly hardy adventurer there is even mountain climbing on Aoraki Mount Cook - NZ's tallest mountain and the same peak that Sir Edmund Hillary "practised" on before his successful ascent of Everest.
Remember the climate in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and surrounding areas can be very changeable, and it is always wise to prepare yourself for bad weather, no matter what the weather forecast predicts. For longer walks or tramps always register your intentions at the nearest Department of Conservation (DOC) office, so that someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return.
We have listed here a selection of walks and hikes to suit various abilities. For more detailed information, contact DOC or the Lake Pukaki Information Centre.
Te Araroa Walkway - walk the length of New Zealand
