I saw a photo of Mueller Hut on social media in 2015 and have dreamt about it at least once a week ever since. Something about the bright red hut against the mountains stole my heart, and I knew I had to find a way to get there (even if it took me 10 years). Safe to say, it lived up to my expectations. But the hike is a lot more technical than I thought it would be.

It’s one of the few day hikes in the country that gets you right up into "real" mountains!

Most people hike the Mueller Hut Route over two days and spend the night in the hut, waking up to watch the sunrise. If you're like us and have run out of annual leave, you can do the whole hike as a speedy day walk. It took us around 6.5 hours to return and was reasonably tough, but very worth doing if you're short on time.

Once you reach the top, you'll get an amazing 360-degree view of Aoraki National Park, with glaciers, ice cliffs, vertical rock faces, and New Zealand’s highest peaks in every direction!

Track overview

Difficulty: Hard/Advanced tramping track

Length: 5.2km one way

Time: 3-4 hours one way

Elevation: 1000m (including 2,200 stairs to Sealy Tarns)

The first half of the walk is shared with the Sealy Tarns Track. If you don't know what that's like, go and check out my other pin. The short version is: well-paved, steep, 2,200 stairs (diabolical). But, the view at the top makes it alllll worth it, even if you are contemplating your life decisions on the way up.

Once you've finished taking 52,394 photos of Sealy Tarns, you should assess how you're going and, if you're fit enough, continue up to Mueller Hut. The track from here gets much more technical, so make sure you're honest about your abilities - there's no shame in turning back!!! Making it up to Sealy Tarns is an achievement in itself.

The second half of the trail is a mix of loose gravel, boulders, and scree. It’s brutal, and if you have hiking poles, I'd recommend bringing them with you. I don't usually hike with poles and spent the whole trip wishing I had them.

After three hours of climbing, stopping to catch my breath take photos, we reached Mueller Hut. The views are somehow even more incredible in real life. I love it when your bucket list lives up to your expectations. We spent almost half an hour sitting on the bench outside, inhaled a jumbo packet of Cadbury Mini Eggs and then began the descent down.

How fit do I need to be to hike the Mueller Hut Route?

Mueller Hut is one of the most technically challenging day hikes I've done in New Zealand. The trail from Mount Cook Village to Sealy Tarns is well-maintained and easy to follow. But it's steep and includes a ridiculous number of stairs. The stretch between the tarn and Mueller Hut is much more difficult. Although it's a short(ish) walk compared to others around the South Island, every step is an uphill climb, and you gain 1,000m elevation over the whole track. Assess your abilities at Sealy Tarns, and if you're not feeling up to it, turn back. Bailing isn't failing; your safety is always the #1 most important thing.

Can I hike all year round?

No, unless you have mountaineering experience. In the winter, this route crosses several avalanche paths. Please check in with DOC for current conditions before hiking year-round. Mountaineering experience (including using an ice axe, crampons and avalanche rescue equipment) is needed in winter and sometimes in spring and autumn.

Even if you're visiting in the summer, you must remember that you're crossing through an alpine area, which can be cold and exposed. You can get hypothermia all year round (yes, even in the summer), and when you've spent the day sweating, you run the risk of getting extra cold, so make sure you plan ahead. We visited in the middle of January, and it was 4 degrees. Have a look at my photos - I'm wearing a beanie, leggings, two thermals, a fleece and a puffer jacket!

Can I stay overnight?

Yes! Mueller Hut is one of the country's most beautiful and popular DOC huts, and staying overnight would make the walk much more manageable. You'll need to book Mueller Hut from mid-November to 30 April, and it's very popular, so I recommend doing it in advance. Staying in the hut costs $50 per night for adults and $25 for children.