Tasman Glacier View Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

A short, steep climb rewards you with panoramic views of Tasman Lake and Haupapa/Tasman Glacier – New Zealand’s longest glacier.

This DOC directory entry covers Tasman Glacier View Track in Canterbury, within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1.5 km return via same track
• Walking time: 30 min return
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Predator control for Aoraki Mt Cook National Park; First published on 27 February 2026. Last reviewed on 13 April 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

About the walk

• Views of Tasman Lake towards Haupapa/Tasman Glacier

• Icebergs in summer and lake ice in winter

• Steep climb with 300+ steps to viewpoint

From Tasman Valley car park, follow the signposted gravel track to Tasman Glacier View.

Climb steps steadily for 10 min and you’ll see the first of the Blue Lakes on your left. From here, it’s another 5 min up to the viewpoint.

The viewpoint is at the top of a rocky wall of glacial debris, called ‘moraine’.

On a clear day, you’ll:

• get spectacular views of Tasman Lake

• glimpse the mighty Haupapa/Tasman Glacier at the lake’s far end

• see Aoraki/Mount Cook and the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

Like glaciers worldwide, Tasman Glacier is retreating as the climate changes. Tasman Lake did not exist until 1974. It is growing rapidly as the glacier melts.

Return to the car park the same way you came.

Side trips

Blue Lakes

5 min / 500 m to the first lake (one way)

From the main track, you can take a side trip to the Blue Lakes. The track ends at the first lake.

These small alpine lakes were once blue – the colour of glacial meltwater. They’re now fed by rainwater and look green.

Alternative routes

Tasman Lake and River Track

50 min / 2.5 km (return)

Tasman Lake and River Track is accessible from Tasman Glacier View Track. It’s a good alternative to this walk if steps are unsuitable for anyone in your group.

Tasman Lake and River Track

Getting there

Directions

From Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, take SH80 towards Twizel. Tasman Valley Road is second on your left as you drive out of the village, after Hooker Valley Road.

Cross the one-way bridge and continue to the end of the road to Tasman Valley car park.

Open in Google Maps

Travel times (by car)

• Aoraki/Mount Cook Village (10 min)

• Twizel (50 min)

• Tekapo (1 hr 30 min)

Road conditions

Snow can close SH80. Check highway conditions before you travel.

Check highway conditions

Parking

Tasman Valley car park has:

• free parking for cars and campervans

• no marked mobility spaces.

The car park gets very busy during the summer season (November to April). If it’s full, park along Tasman Valley Road with care.

Know before you go

Safety and hazards

• Glacier lake: Tasman Lake and the surrounding moraine (rock walls) have serious hazards. Know the risks if you choose to explore beyond the viewpoint.

• Poisonous plants: Tutu is a native shrub which has poisonous black berries in summer. Do not eat any plants or berries growing here.

When to go

• Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is an alpine region. Snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds and sunburn are possible in all seasons.

• Tasman Glacier View Track gets very crowded during the summer season (November to April). Large tour groups use the track.

• New Zealand weather changes quickly. Check the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared.

View weather forecast

Be prepared

Plan your visit

• Bookings are not required for Tasman Glacier View Track.

• Toilets are located at Tasman Valley car park. They close in winter and may be unavailable in summer due to water shortages. The nearest accessible toilets are at Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre (10 min by car).

• Drinking water is not available. Bring your own.

• Picnic tables and a day shelter with seating are provided at Tasman Valley car park. There’s a bench seat along the track, but no seating at the lookout.

• Camping is available at White Horse Hill Campsite (15 min by car).

• Limited food and petrol options can be found at Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. More services are available in Twizel and Tekapo.

• Mobile phone coverage is unavailable.

What to take

• Sturdy footwear

• Warm and waterproof clothing

• Sun protection including sunscreen and sun hat

For a complete list, see Short Walks gear list.

Care for nature

• Rubbish bins are not provided. Take your rubbish with you.

• Wastewater cannot be disposed of at Aoraki/Mount Cook. The closest public dump station is in Twizel.

• Kea are protected native birds. Do not feed them.

Protecting nature in Aotearoa

No drones

Flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited.

Drone use on conservation land

Nature and conservation

Plants

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is famous for its subalpine plants.

On Tasman Glacier View Track you’ll see:

• speargrass/taramea

• matagouri/tūmatakuru

• mountain daisy/tikumu.

Taramea is known for its sharp leaves and distinctive spiky flower stalks. Its leaves produce a sweet-smelling gum, used to make a perfume prized as a taonga/treasure by Māori.

New Zealand native plants

Birds

On Tasman Glacier View Track, you may see or hear:

• kea

• tomtit/miromiro

• New Zealand falcon/kārearea

• black-backed gull/karoro

• paradise shelduck/pūtangitangi

• black-fronted tern/tarapirohe.

New Zealand’s smallest bird, rifleman/titipounamu, is sometimes seen around the Blue Lakes.

New Zealand birds A–Z

History and culture

History of Aoraki/Mount Cook

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.