The Hooker Valley Track is hands down one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done, and I don’t say that lightly. From the second you start, it’s just nonstop views. Mountains, glacier water, those insane valley landscapes… it never lets up.

It’s also super doable with kids. The trail is mostly flat, really well maintained, and there are so many natural stopping points along the way, bridges, viewpoints, little spots to pause and take it all in. Our kids loved the swing bridges, and it made the whole thing feel more like an adventure than a “hike.”

You’re walking alongside the river the entire time, and then you end at Hooker Lake with icebergs floating in it and Aoraki/Mount Cook right in front of you, it’s honestly surreal.

Plan for around 3 hours if you’re taking your time (which you should), stopping, snacking, taking photos. It’s one of those hikes I will be thinking about for the rest of my life.