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Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
2.4 km
1 hour
86 metres
If you are looking for the absolute "biggest bang for your buck" in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, you’ve found it. The Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Walk is a short, punchy, and visually spectacular trail that manages to pack millions of years of geological drama into a mere hour of walking. Whether you are a local South Islander popping in for a weekend mission or a world traveller ticking off the "must-sees," this track provides a front-row seat to the raw power of nature.
At just 2.4km return, it is classified as an easy walk, but don't let the "easy" tag fool you into thinking it’s a flat stroll around a park. This trail takes you onto the debris-covered moraine of New Zealand’s longest glacier, offering views that make you feel tiny in the best possible way.
Your journey begins at the Tasman Glacier Car Park, located at the very end of the Tasman Valley Road. From the moment you step out of the car, the scale of the landscape is immediate. The air is crisp, often carrying that distinct "glacial chill," and the towering peaks of the Southern Alps hem you in on all sides.
The track starts as a well-maintained gravel path that leads you gently away from the shelter. Almost immediately, you are immersed in the rugged, scrubby alpine vegetation that characterises this high-country environment. After a few minutes of easy walking, you’ll reach a key junction. Turning left directs you toward the Blue Lakes and the main Tasman Glacier Viewpoint.
This is where the heart rate starts to climb. To reach the top of the moraine wall—the giant mound of rock and debris left behind by the retreating ice—you’ll need to navigate a series of rock steps. There are approximately 300 of them, and while they are well-constructed, they do provide a steady incline that will have you feeling the burn in your calves. The beauty of this section is that it’s incredibly kid-friendly; the steps are sturdy, and because the track is short, even little legs can usually manage the climb with a few "muesli bar breaks" along the way.
As you ascend, the view behind you opens up across the vast, braided expanse of the Tasman Valley. Once you crest the final step and reach the viewpoint, the world falls away. Below you lies the Tasman Lake, a massive, milky-turquoise body of water, and stretching out into the distance is the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier. The path winds through old terminal moraines, offering a fascinating insight into the glacier's historical movements and the resilience of alpine plant life that manages to cling to these rocky slopes.
Ample parking is available at the Tasman Glacier Car Park, also known as the Blue Lakes Car Park, located at the end of Tasman Valley Road. The car park includes public toilets and a shelter for convenience before and after your walk.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Nestor notabilis
Intelligent alpine parrot endemic to the South Island. Known for curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
Best time: Year-round
Falco novaeseelandiae
Also known as Kārearea. Fast and agile raptor found in both forest and open country.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
7.5km away
An iconic spot in Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, officially opened by Sir Edmund Hillary. It offers organic coffee, excellent food, local beer and wine, and stunning mountain views, with a historic photographic gallery creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for hikers.
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Loop
The undeniable "hero" of this walk is the view of the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier. At roughly 23 kilometres long, it is an icy giant. From the viewpoint, you can see the terminal face where the ice meets the water. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the thunderous "crack" of ice calving into the lake. Look closely at the water; even in the height of summer, you will often see massive icebergs floating serenely in the lake, looking like jagged white diamonds against the opaque glacial water.
Then, there are the Blue Lakes. This is one of the most famous "misnomers" in New Zealand hiking. Back in the mid-1800s, these lakes were fed by glacial meltwater, which filtered through the moraine and turned them a stunning, vivid blue. However, as the Tasman Glacier has shrunk and lowered in height, the meltwater no longer reaches these ponds. Today, they are fed by rainwater. This warmer water supports the growth of green algae, meaning the "Blue Lakes" are now a deep, stunning emerald green.
Despite the colour change, they are a highlight of the loop. They offer a tranquil, sheltered contrast to the wind-whipped glacier viewpoint. In the summer months, the lakes warm up just enough for the truly brave to take a "refreshing" (read: freezing) alpine dip.
To get to the trailhead, follow State Highway 80 all the way into Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Instead of heading into the main village, look for the signposted turn-off for Tasman Valley Road on your right. Follow this road for about 7km until you reach the end.
The Tasman Glacier Car Park (also known as the Blue Lakes Car Park) has ample parking, though it can get busy during the peak summer hours (10 am – 2 pm). There are public toilets and a sturdy shelter at the car park, which is a great place to double-check your gear and lace up your boots before heading out.
Keep your eyes on the skies and your ears open for the distinct "kee-aa!" call of New Zealand’s most famous alpine resident: the Kea. These incredibly intelligent (and notoriously cheeky) mountain parrots are commonly seen around the car park and the rocky viewpoints. While they are a joy to watch, please remember they are an endangered species—never feed them, as it habituates them to humans and can make them sick.
As you walk through the scrubbier sections of the track, you’ll likely be joined by the Fantail (Pīwakawaka), who flit around hikers to catch the insects stirred up by your footsteps. If you are a keen birdwatcher, keep a lookout for the New Zealand Falcon (Kārearea) soaring near the cliffs, or the tiny Rifleman (Tītitipounamu)—New Zealand's smallest bird—bouncing through the vegetation. On very rare occasions, the endangered Kaki (Black Stilt) can be seen in the braided riverbeds nearby.
Aoraki/Mt Cook is a place of extremes, and this walk changes character significantly with the seasons.
The area holds immense significance for the local Māori iwi (tribe), Ngāi Tahu. To them, Aoraki is the most sacred of ancestors, representing the link between the supernatural and the natural world. The glacier itself is known as Haupapa, and its retreat is a poignant reminder of our changing climate.
Geologically, you are standing in a landscape that is still being shaped. The Tasman Glacier is retreating rapidly, a process that began in the 1970s and has led to the formation of the Tasman Lake. By walking this trail, you are witnessing a "young" landscape; the lake didn't even exist 50 years ago. It’s a powerful place to reflect on the sheer scale of geological time.
Once you’ve finished the loop and worked up an appetite, head 7.5km back down the road to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village. There are three standout spots to refuel:
The Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Walk is more than just a quick leg-stretch; it’s an immersion into the very best of New Zealand’s alpine heart. Grab your camera, respect the Kea, and enjoy the view!
Acanthisitta chloris
New Zealand's smallest bird, known for its rapid, jerky movements as it searches for insects on tree trunks and in dense scrub.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Himantopus novaezelandiae
The world's rarest wading bird, critically endangered and found only in New Zealand, with a small population in the Tasman riverbed.
Best time: Year-round
7.5km away
Located within The Hermitage Hotel, this restaurant offers a refined dining experience with a seasonal menu crafted from fresh local ingredients, all enjoyed against a backdrop of spectacular alpine mountain vistas. Reservations are essential.
7.5km away
Part of The Hermitage Hotel, this cafe and bar provides a casual atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. It serves classic Kiwi favourites, including burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, and coffee, perfect for a post-hike refuel or takeaway.