After you’ve completed the 2200 Sealy Tarns stairway to heaven, get ready for a climb you’re sure never to forget.

The stairs turn into a rocky path, some parts of which you will definitely be needing help from your hands. At first the rocks will be small but eventually you’ll be scaling massive rocks as you get closer to the top. In winter months, these rocks will likely be covered in snow so remember to take your time and reapply your sunscreen! Even if you’re looking at your feet, the sun’s rays will be bouncing off the white of the snow.

Once you get to the top of the climb, you will have another viewpoint. Make sure to take in the view of the valley again before continuing on to the (mostly) flat part of the track. You’ll then find yourself staring at the snowy mountains hidden from the Mount Cook Village behind. In the summer, you’ll see dozens of waterfalls cascading down these mountains.

Once you make it to Mueller Hut, you have the option of staying the night, but remember to book in advance. If you do, you can enjoy the sunset and witness the night sky come alive with the Milky Way.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Mt Cook, South Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 8 hour walk
  • Distance: 10.4 km
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Bikes allowed: No
  • Route: Return
  • Elevation: 1000m
  • Wet Feet: Yes, after snow or heavy rain.
  • Toilets: There are toilets in the village or at the campground.
  • Dogs: No, dogs are not allowed in the Mount Cook National Park.
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes, though spotty after Sealy Tarns.
  • Last Updated: April, 2020

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

A difficult but rewarding track that offers incredible views of the village, the valley, glaciers and the highest mountains in New Zealand.

Track Quality

The track is maintained and cared for by the Department of Conservation. Nevertheless, there is a section of the track which is almost entirely rock that you must navigate with the markers.

Hazards

Steps, zigzags, rocks and ice

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 hut has water that has to be boiled before drinking. There are stoves and pots in the hut to boil 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. Mount Olivier is the first mountain he climbed in the national park. The current Mueller Hut, named after the Mueller Glacier in the valley, is the fifth to be built: the first in 1914 and the most recent in 2003.

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