Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier Walks(edit)

Overview

The Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier Walks range from 1km to 2.5km return (round trip) from the parking lot depending on how much you want to see. There are quite a few steps up from the parking lot to the Tasman Glacier overlook. The reward is a view of New Zealand's longest glacier, the Tasman. There are a few interlaced tracks in this area that are all well traveled and maintained. Some tracks that show up on the topo maps are simply scrambles across the moraine/rocks - passable but only for those with good fitness and proper footwear. There are also some Lake/Glacier boating tours that leave from this area.

There is another track in this area that goes towards the Glacier, the Ball Hut Route. As of March 2020, this route is unsafe and not accessible.

See DoC site for more information and current trail warnings.

There are NO DOGS - NO BIKES - NO DRONES allowed on this trail.

Getting Started

There is a large parking lot and at the end of Tasman Valley Road which turns off Mount Cook Road / Hwy 80 before reaching Mt. Cook Village. The parking lot can get very full - as with most tracks around Aoraki Mount Cook it is recommended to arrive early. There are toilets at the parking lot.