Where the path divides with the Kea Point Track, take the path on the left to head up to Sealy Tarns.

You will quickly find yourself swallowed up by the forest for a few minutes until you finally make it to the first steps of the so-called ‘stairway to heaven’. Making your way up the winding 2200 steps up to the tarns is the ultimate leg and glute workout. The step climb takes you a fair distance up into the mountains. The vegetation on the way up is minimal, so you can enjoy the views any time you choose to take a break—and you’ll be taking plenty of breaks!

The series of steps zigzag back and forth up the mountain for most of the way up. Eventually, the steps will start to take you towards the right until the top. At the top of the tarns, there is a table and bench where you can sit to take in the views and have a snack. You’ll have vista views of all the mountains and the valley, while being up close and personal with the snowy Mount Sefton.

Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen or bring a windbreaker. There’s no hiding from the elements on this track.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Mt Cook, South Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 3-4 hour walk
  • Distance: 5.8 km
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Bikes allowed: No
  • Route: Return
  • Elevation: 600m
  • Wet Feet: Yes, after snow or heavy rain. If starting from the village after heavy rain, the stream to cross could be quite deep.
  • Toilets: There are toilets in the village at the public shelter or the Hermitage Hotel. The campground also has toilets.
  • 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

This track offers stunning views of Mount Sefton, Mount Cook, Mount Wakefield, as well as Hooker Lake and Mount Cook Village.

Track Quality

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

Hazards

Steps

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

The public shelter, the Hermitage Hotel and the campground all offer drinkable tap water.

Driving Instructions

The Main road leading into Mount Cook divides in two: towards the village or the campground. Park at the Hermitage Hotel in the village or the campground to start your walk.

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 located in the village.

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 top of the steps of the Sealy Tarns Track show signs that the steps have been rebuilt, as you can still see a worn down section of the track that is no longer in use.

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