Tasman Glacier View Track

From the Blue Lakes car park, walk past the Blue Lakes shelter and meander up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on the moraine wall. There are good views of the lower Haupapa / Tasman Glacier and lake, icebergs, and the mountains at the head of the valley. 

A side trip to the Blue Lakes offers good swimming in summer. 

At about 22 km long, the Haupapa /Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately, glaciers the world over are shrinking, with the Tasman receding over 100 m per year.

Turn off SH80 onto Tasman Valley Road just before Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. Follow this for about 7 km to the car park at the end.

What to expect

• Track surface: Rock steps
• Change in elevation: +/- 86 m

Expect rapidly changing weather – this walk is in an alpine region.

Ensure you take sturdy footwear.

Do not go in the water or on the ice

Stay out of the cold water of Hooker or Tasman lakes, which is typically about 3 degrees and can quickly cause hypothermia.

Stay off the lakes when they are frozen over, as the ice can be thin and could give way at any time.  Do not climb icebergs in the lakes as these are unstable and can tip unexpectedly.

You could put your life at risk by walking on the ice. If it gave way, you could drown or develop hypothermia.