The Department of Conservation (DOC) has reopened the lower section of the popular Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. This follows the closure of the upper track due to riverbank erosion near the second swing bridge. A new 189-metre suspension bridge is under construction and is expected to open by next autumn.
Visitors can now access the track up to the first suspension bridge, approximately a one-hour return walk from the carpark. The upper section remains closed during construction, which involves helicopter operations. Sally Jones, DOC’s Aoraki Mount Cook Operations Manager, emphasized safety as the top priority.
The Hooker Valley Track is one of New Zealand’s most visited trails, attracting over a million visitors annually
Alternative walks such as the Kea Point Track, Sealy Tarns, Mueller Hut, and the Tasman Blue Lakes remain open, offering stunning views of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
For more information, visit the DOC website: www.doc.govt.nz
