If you are looking for a short hike that still gives your legs and lungs a good workout, Glencoe Walk is the right choice.

It is a well-paved, straight-forward walk that starts off flat but quickly turns into a steep climb with steps. While the Department of Conversation classifies it as easy, it is no walk in the park. However, it is well worth the climb for the stunning views at the top. 

Once you start the walk, you will quickly find yourself surrounded by the totara trees that are native to New Zealand. You will be fully immersed in this dense forest as you make your way up the walk. When you emerge from it and go slightly beyond the water tanks at the top, the forest will open before you to reveal the mountains and the valley. The sun sets beautifully on the mountains on a clear that. This viewpoint is a great place to watch Aoraki turn from white to pink. 

While the walk officially starts behind the Hermitage Hotel, you can extend the walk slightly by starting under the Bowen Road bridge, where the Glencoe stream runs. Simply follow the stream upwards.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Mt Cook, South Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 30-minute walk
  • Distance: 0.5 km
  • Difficulty: Easy, though steep
  • Bikes allowed: No
  • Route: Return
  • Elevation: 40m
  • Wet Feet: Yes, after heavy rain
  • Toilets: There are no toilets on the track, though the Hermitage Hotel has toilets near the main lobby.
  • Dogs: No, dogs are not allowed in the Mount Cook National Park
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
  • Last Updated: April, 2020
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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

The top of the walk offers a viewpoint of Mount Cook Village, the Hooker Valley and, of course, the mountains. The viewpoint is right next to the water tanks which can be seen from the main road. If you take a look at the water tanks from the bottom, this could give you an idea of the elevation. You can also hear the rush of the stream nearby if you’re lucky enough.

Track Quality

The track is maintained and cared for by the Department of Conservation.

Hazards

Steps and zigzags

Transport

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is only accessible by car or tour buses including GreatSights, Clark’s and the Cook Connection. There is no public transportation within the National Park.

Water

Not on the track, but you can fill up a water bottle at the Hermitage Hotel.

Driving Instructions

The start of the walk is right behind the Hermitage Hotel. The hotel has two car parks. You will find the start of the walk behind the top car park.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

The Hermitage hotel offers a buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also has an a la carte restaurant for dinner, and a cafe that runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm. There is also a gift shop and museum in the hotel. The Mount Cook Lodge and Motels has a pub and grill that opens at 3pm and serves food until 10pm. The Old Mountaineer’s Cafe runs from 10am to 7:30pm but shuts between 3:30pm and 5:00pm. These are all within 0 to 15 minutes’ walk from the start of the walk.

Area & Trail History

The national park and its famous mountain gets its name from Maori legend. Aoraki and his three brothers, the sons of Rakinui, the Sky father, set out on a discovery of the Earth Mother in their canoe. The canoe was struck by a reef. The brothers climbed onto the top of the canoe and they froze and turned to stone. The South Island of New Zealand represents the canoe, while the brothers are the Southern Alps—the tallest being Aoraki (Mount Cook). European settlers changed the name of the mountain from Aoraki to Mount Cook, but the mountain was once more renamed Aoraki Mount Cook to acknowledge its Maori heritage. The mountain has also been climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary, who went on to climb Mount Everest. The Glencoe track itself does not have any significant history.

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