Blue Lakes Track (1 km, Moderate) – Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Overview

About Blue Lakes Track

Why go

A quick close-up of the first green lake beneath the mountain slopes.

Heads up

The first lake is small and no longer blue.

Blue Lakes Track is a short out-and-back from Blue Lakes car park to the first small alpine lake: about 0.65 mi (1.1 km) there and back. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes. Go for a close look at the green pools; the wide Tasman Lake and glacier panorama comes from the separate moraine viewpoint climb.

Parkwolf’s verdictIs the detour worth it?

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation715–772 m

TrailheadBlue Lakes car park-43.69799, 170.16321

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Start at Blue Lakes car park off Tasman Valley Road. Parking is free for cars and campervans. The lot often fills in summer, when careful roadside parking may be needed. Toilets are at the car park but can close in winter or during summer water shortages; drinking water is not available.

Safety

The approach climbs steep steps. Snow, freezing temperatures and strong wind can occur in any season, and there is no drinking water along the route.

2 active Aoraki / Mount Cook alerts

CautionBall Hut Track: impassable gorge at Husky FlatThe Ball Hut Track is severely affected at Husky Flat; beyond the gorge there is no marked route. - A severe weather event significantly damaged the track and created a large, impassable gorge.Official details
CautionHooker Valley Track: 20-person bridge limitNo more than 20 people may be on the first Hooker Valley Track suspension bridge at one time. DOC is enforcing the limit because cable wear has been identified on the 47-year-old structure.Official details

Aoraki / Mount Cook alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Aoraki / Mount Cook Tour Guide

Your drive to Blue Lakes Track, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Tasman Glacier View and the Green Blue Lakes

0:00 / 0:23

“Up ahead is the Tasman Valley car park, the start for a broad view across Tasman Lake to the glacier.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Aoraki / Mount Cook Tour Guide.

Hiking Blue Lakes Track

Finding the first lakeFollow the signed gravel track past the shelter, then take the Blue Lakes side route.

Follow the signed gravel track past the shelter, then take the Blue Lakes side route. The approach climbs steep steps, but the lake is a short walk away. The marked track ends at the first lake, so turn back there rather than counting on a longer loop. Dogs aren't allowed, and there's no drinking water along the route.

Why they're greenThese small pools used to be blue when glacial meltwater fed them.

These small pools used to be blue when glacial meltwater fed them. They're rain-fed now and look green. When the water is still, the surrounding peaks can reflect in it. Visitors expecting vivid blue water may find the lakes modest; their appeal is the close-up look at the pools and the story of the retreating glacier.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Aoraki / Mount Cook

All Aoraki / Mount Cook wildlife maps

139 sightingsKeaMost seen around 9 AMSighting map

74 sightingsRockwrenMost seen around 10 AMSighting map

46 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 10 AMSighting map

15 sightingsKererūMost seen around 9 AMSighting map

16 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

33 sightingsBlack-fronted TernMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Aoraki / Mount Cook. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Blue Lakes Track