Alright, let’s talk about the Sefton Bivvy track and first, a little story time. I copped a bit of heat online after posting photos from this hike, and honestly,  fair enough. I was wearing a singlet in the pics, and while I was warm from hiking when they were taken, I definitely had more layers packed. Lesson here,  always be prepared in alpine environments. The weather in Aotearoa’s mountains can flip fast, clear skies can turn nasty in no time, so bring the gear even if you think you won’t need it.

That said, this hike probably isn’t accessible right now if you’re reading this in mid-2025. You need to walk about 3 km along the Hooker Valley Track to reach the turnoff, but that whole trail is closed until mid-2026 while DOC replaces the swing bridges. If it is open when you’re reading this lucky you. Here’s how to find the oldest hut in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Start at White Horse Hill Campground and follow the Hooker Valley Track for around 3 km. Once you pass the toilets on the track, keep an eye out, it’s easy to miss. Just before a little bridge, hop off the boardwalk to the left. You’ll see a faint trail and a couple of markers heading toward Hooker Hut. Follow those for a bit, but don’t turn off to the hut. Instead, keep heading straight (technically right, along the creek). This is where the Sefton Bivvy route starts, and it’s completely unmarked.

Download a map before you go, AllTrails works fine. From this point, you’ll follow rock cairns for the next 2.5 km. The total track is about 6.5 km one way (13 km return), and while the first 4 km are pretty flat, the last section climbs nearly 1,000 metres. It’s steep and rocky, definitely not a walk in the park. You’ll scramble over loose rocks, switchbacks, and uneven terrain. I wouldn’t recommend this hike unless you’ve got solid tramping experience, a map, good weather, and the right gear. Also, only go in summer unless you’ve got proper alpine equipment like crampons and an ice axe.

When you do finally reach the bivvy it’s so worth it. It’s a tiny, bright orange hut tucked right next to a glacier, and honestly, it looks like something out of a snow globe. The bivvy sleeps four, is totally free, and runs on a first come, first served basis. I just did it as a day hike (which took me 5 hours total), but it would be seriously magical to stay overnight if the weather’s good. 

Wild views, a steep climb, and a slice of mountaintop history, it’s a proper adventure, but one that needs to be done with caution and respect for the conditions.