Guided Full Day Hikes
If you like to stay away from the crowds and love getting out into the back country, then these adventure Guided Hikes are perfect for you. With a maximum group size of 8 people, these full day adventure hikes take you off the beaten track with knowledgeable and experienced local guides. Because these routes aren't in your guide book, once we leave the main tracks, it's rare we come across other people. But, because these tracks have so little foot traffic, they are not well marked and require at least moderate fitness and hiking experience to hike them safely. It is recommended that you use a guide if you are not used to route finding or the changeable New Zealand weather conditions.
1. Wakefield Ridge Hike
Picture yourself high above the valley looking down on glacial lakes and ice carved valleys. Your guide will take you where few visit, thanks to the indistinct route and that few locals who use it, we have gained permission to take just a few people each day. This really is one on Aoraki Mount Cook National Park's best kept secrets. Hike up the steep Wakefield Ridgeline, which is a part of the Mout Cook Mountain Range, and be rewarded with an incredible feeling of solitude. This hike starts off with a steep climb up through one of the few remaining beech forests (most were burnt down by the early high country farmers). Admire the views over the pro-glacial lakes with icebergs, down the braided river valley to the amazing lake Pukaki, and back up towards the main Southern Alps with numerous haging glaciers. From our high vanatge point, we get fantastic views of thise glacier landscand scape and wide valleys left behind as the glaciers retreated over the last 18,000 years. Here, you get a close up experience of the powerful forces of erosion and an appreciation of the sheer scale and majesty of these mountains. This hike requires moderate to high fitness and good hiking boots.
Duration 5 to 6 hours including lunch and short breaks. 
Price: per adult. (min of 2)
Effort level: Moderate. Above average fitness needed.
700 to 900m (2100 to 2700ft) total vertical height gain.
Download
 | Wakefield Ridge Adventure Hike
Adobe Acrobat Document: 317 KB, 46 seconds @ 56kbps
PDF of Wakefield Ridge adventure hike with participants and disclaimer information. |
2. East Hooker Valley Hike
Imagine being surrounded by some of New Zealand's tallest mountains and being able to gaze at glaciers as you hike through beautiful native vegetation next to babbling streams. This is the stunning scenery that you will experience on a remote hike that leads you up to view the Hooker Glacier, with Aoraki Mount Cook high above. The East Hooker valley hike requires more skill than the public Hooker Valley walking track, but is still within the capabilities of most people of moderate fitness. The extra effort is rewarded as we meet few or no other people, you are left with a real feeling of wilderness. There are a few stream crossings and a great variety of native plants and photo opportunities along the way. This is one of the few places where you can still drink the water from unpolluted streams. The vertical rise over this 4 kilometer hike is only 200 meters. DOC rate this terrian as back country so our guiding ratios are small with a maximum group size of 8.
Duration 5 to 6 hours including lunch and short breaks.
Price: per adult. (Min of 2) Gourmet lunch as extra per person.
Effort level: Moderate. Average fitness needed.
200m (600ft) total vertical height gain.
Download
Download the Mount Cook Adventure brochure:
1. Why should I take a guided hike?
- Local Knowledge. With years of experience hiking around the national park we know lots of great places which are not always easy to find. Our adventure hikes are not in the guide books because we like to keep these favourite places and great views unspoilt and away from the crowds.
- Expert guides: All of our lead guides are ex-park rangers from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park so you know you are getting guides who really know the area.
- Conservation. All of our hikes have a conservation project you can take part in, your effort can make difference!
- Enhance your experience. Our guides enjoy sharing their knowledge about our flora, fauna, alpine ecology, glaciers, geology and history. Turn your visit to the area into an experience of a lifetime.
- Safety. The mountains in New Zealand can be dangerous with rapidly changing weather. Our guides know our weather patterns and understand the dangers particular to our terrain which is important if you are unfamiliar with alpine areas. Your safety is our number one priority and the guide reserves the right to modify any hike to ensure your well being. All of our safety plans are independently audited on a regular basis by Qualmark™.
- Quality. You want a quality experience and our commitment to this is demonstrated with our membership to Qualmark™, an independent audit system which ensures that we are performing to national tourism standards.
- Professionalism. We are a member of the Tourism Industry Association and Qualmark™ rated.
- Family owned business. We are one of the few local activities in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park that is independently owned and operated.
2. What happens if the weather's bad?
There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! Hikes will operate unless the guide feels your safety will be compromised. We will offer an alternative hike if your first choice is not available due to safety reasons, or, you may choose from one of our other tour options (charges may be different depending on your choice). For details of our cancellation policy, please see our FAQ page...
3. Can I hike for more than one day?
Yes, extend your hiking experience by taking more than one of our fantastic options. Best of all, after your hike, you get to enjoy a comfortable bed and hot shower in local accommodation and a hot meal in one of the restaurants or cafes, what could be better! To maximize different views and get the most out of your experience our suggestions for hiking combinations are:
- East Hooker Valley and Ball Shelter/Ball Ridge
- Wakefield Ridge and East Hooker Valley
- Mt Sebastopol and Ball Shelter/Ball Ridge
4. Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, there are only a maximum of 8 people per day on our hikes (including the guide).
5. How fit do I need to be?
We have graded each hike to give you an indication how long you will need to hike for and what the terrain is like. You need to have good balance, sure footing and a liking for high places. If in doubt, please ask us.
6. What information must I give you?
Please advise us when you make a booking if you have any medical conditions or reoccurring injuries which may effect your ability to complete the hike. We will ask you to fill out a form for your personal and contact details in case of an emergency. This information is only given to the guide and is kept confidential.
7. What do I need to bring?
You should have comfortable outdoor walking clothing (no jeans please) and have layers so you can adjust to the weather (i.e. hot or cold conditions). We recommend long trousers or if you wear shorts to have gaiters to reduce scratching your legs from the rocks and vegetation.
- Day pack to carry the following;
- Waterproof jacket and over trousers (shower proof not suitable)
- Water: (1.5 litres of water per person, more in the summer)
- Sturdy lace up hiking boots with ankle support, a strong sole and good tread.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat or warm hat, gloves and any medication you may need (i.e. asthma inhaler).
- Camera and spare batteries!!
- Lunch (gourmet packed lunches can be organised in advance).
If you need to hire equipment please let us know at the time of booking (minimum 5 days notice). Boots can be hired in Mount Cook Village.
For more FAQs click here...
Return to the top of the Mount Cook Adventure Tours page
