Guide to Hiking the Mueller Hut Route + Free Camping Tips

Finishing at a scenic red hut 1,800 m on the Sealy Range, the Mueller Hut Route is one of my favourite alpine hut hikes in New Zealand.

With breathtaking panoramas of Mount Cook, mountaintop glaciers, and surrounding ice cliffs, this hike is a must-do in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

From a relatively short and accessible hike, the Mueller Hut route climbs to the top of the Sealy Range and overlooks one of the most incredible alpine areas in New Zealand, including what I believe to be the best views of Mount Cook you’ll get.

In this guide, I’ll aim to answer all of your questions and help you to prepare to tackle the hike, with options to stay in the hut and reveal how I camped here for free (legally).

What You Need to Know About the Mueller Hut Route

• Hike Distance & Duration 10.4 km return in 5.5 - 8 hours (usually overnight)
• Elevation: 1,150 m total elevation gain (1,250 m incl. Mt Ollivier)
• Mueller Hut Elevation: 1,800 m AMSL
• Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult
• Map and GPX: My Strava or Download

The Mueller Hut hike is by far, one of the most scenic and accessible alpine hikes in New Zealand's South Island. Most people hike this as an overnighter, sleeping in the hut or camping nearby. However, it is possible to do it on a long day hike as well.

Either way, if you're a fit and keen tramper, you'll really enjoy this incredible hike.

How Long is the Mueller Hut Hike?

The hike from the White Horse Hill campsite to the Mueller hut is a short, but steep 5.2 km trail. This is an out-and-back hike, which means that hikers will need to return on the same track.

While the DOC says that it takes 4 hours to reach the hut from the campsite, we were able to get up there within 3 hours. The descent, while hard on the knees, took us approximately 2 hours.

Mueller Hut Difficulty

The DOC rates the Mueller Hut Route as an advanced tramping track. However, in my opinion, the DOC tends to rate hikes as much more difficult than they really are in attempts to prepare or dissuade inexperienced hikers.

Due to its popularity, the track is very well-maintained and easy to follow in good weather conditions.

The truth is that the Mueller Hut Route is not overly difficult but the total elevation gain is over 1,000 m, which is a big day of hiking! Plus, this is over a relative short distance of just 5 km, so it's a fairly steep slot.

Besides a bit of light boulder scrambling and scree sections, the track is also not technical. You do not require any alpine equipment to hike this route in good, seasonal conditions.

About the Mueller Hut

The Mueller Hut is known as one of the most beautiful alpine huts in New Zealand. Its red, wooden walls contrast beautifully with the snowy mountain terrain.

Hut Features:

• 28 Bunk Beds: Comfortable but book early to secure a spot.
• Cooking Facilities: Gas cookers available.
• Lighting: Solar-powered.
• Water Supply: Untreated water, boil before use.
• Toilets: Non-flush toilets, note winter inaccessibility.

Because I prefer independent camping when hiking, I decided not to stay in the hut. Still, I can definitely see why people would want to. Therefore, I've included all the relevant information and links you'll need to plan an overnight stay in the Mueller Hut, plus information about how I camped for free below.

Staying & Reserving a Bunk in the Mueller Hut

Staying in the Mueller Hut is not free but quite affordable. Here are the current fees from July 1, 2024.

• Adults (18+ years): $50 per night
• New Zealand Alpine Club members: $35 per night
• Children/Youths (15-17 years): $25 per night
• Infants (0-4 years): Free

During the summer season (November to April), bookings are required and can be made online. In the off-season (May to November), bookings are not required, but you must register your intentions with the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre before hiking​.

Hiking the Mueller Hut Route For Free

It is possible to hike the Mueller Hut Route and camp for free (or for a reduced price). I spoke to the DOC staff at the Visitor Center who told me that this is allowed and there are two options for those who want to camp near the Mueller Hut.

Option 1: Paid campsite

The first option is to pay for a campsite near the Mueller Hut. No, this isn't free but it's cheap.

Currently, this is $15 per person. The perks of this option is that you will get a flat spot with a surrounding rock wall near the hut. However, while there are adequate spaces, you are not actually reserving a site, hence, there is no guarantee that there will be one there for you.

Instead, I opted for the free option.

Option 2: Freedom Camp 200 m from the Hut

The DOC staff member I spoke to was fairly honest and straightforward. He told me that it might be a better option just to freedom camp. The rule is that you have to be 200 m away from the hut.

I found a few flat spots with rock walls beyond the 200 m mark, so I'd recommend this option to save some money.

Where I Camped For Free (Legally) near the Mueller Hut

For those who prefer independent freedom camping like me will have a few options. You can either follow the route back towards the pass for 200 m and look for flat ground or a pile of rocks made into windbreaks.

There are a few scattered around the cliff line.

However, I chose to walk 200 m south of the hut instead, where I was able to find approximately 4 flat spots with windbreaks just over the rocky mound blocking the view to the hut.

This was actually very comfortable and as long as they are not taken, I'd recommend not paying the $15 and just grabbing these spots instead. When we camped here, we were the only tent in this spot on our hike as you can see.

For those who paid the $15 campsite fee, you are free to choose any flat ground around the hut. There are a few perfect sites with great views of Mount Cook just behind the hut near the start of the route up to Mount Ollivier.

Registering Intentions for the Route

It is important for everyone hiking the Mueller Hut Route to register their intentions with the DOC. This can be done by stopping by at the Visitor Center in the nearby Mount Cook village and costs nothing.

This is a simple process whereby you fill out a quick form notifying the conservation group of your plans. Registering intentions is required for both campers and people staying in the hut.

This is very important because if you don't do this, a formal search may be conducted if they find your car at the car park overnight with no intention slip lodged.

You'll also need to remember to keep the receipt slip and return it back at the Visitor Center in the Mount Cook Village once you've finished the hike.

How to Get to the Trailhead

The Mueller Hut track begins from the car park near the White Horse Hill campsite, just a few kilometres from Mount Cook Village.

The best way to get to the Mount Cook National Park hiking area is to drive here yourself. There is a large car park here where you can leave your car for free, which is what we did. That being said, this car park can get very busy in peak season, so plan to arrive early.

If you don’t have a car, then you can still get to the popular day hike tracks by booking one of the awesome adventure day trips from either Queenstown or Christchurch.

Book: Hiking Day Trip from Christchurch
Book: Hiking Day Trip from Queenstown

Alternatively, those without a car looking to save money, it’s also very easy to hitchhike to the Mount Cook National Park since there is only one way in and one way out.

My Experience Hiking to the Mueller Hut & Mount Ollivier

Here's a quick hiking guide based on my experience hiking the Mueller Hut Route.

Just remember, you should never use my GPS tracks as a primary means of navigation. Terrain and conditions change in alpine conditions and therefore, the route that I took may be unpassable or dangerous in your instance.

Car Park to Sealy Tarns

We started the hike on the same track that leads to Kea Point. We found that it was very easy to plan the route since there were many signs leading up to Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut.

However, I recommend keeping an eye out for the signs, because about 10 minutes in, the trail breaks left, which begins the Sealy Tarns climb and eventually up to the hut.

This section of the hike to Mueller Hut is predominantly a staircase climb. This made it easy to traverse and meant we were able to climb a lot of altitude in a short distance.

That said, this section is also very exposed, meaning you'll be forced to cop whatever the weather has in store for you. Luckily for us, we had a beautiful sunny morning on the way up.

In clear conditions, the view over the glacial moraine, Hooker Valley and Lake, and of course, Mount Cook, get increasingly better as we gained altitude.

Arriving at Sealy Tarns

The Sealy Tarns (small, reflective mountain pools of water) are a great spot to have a short rest before continuing the climb to the pass.

The tarns make for great photo opportunities where we spent a bit of time catching reflections of Mount Cook and the surrounding peaks.

Sealy Tarns to the Pass

The next section of the Mueller Hut Route is the rocky path to the mountain pass. In clear conditions, it's easy to see your goal– the low point on the mountain range above you. However, I've seen this section completely engulfed in clouds on my many trips hiking in Mt Cook National Park.

For this section, it is important to follow the orange pole markers that lead the way. Be careful when traversing the boulder and scree sections closer to the pass as they can be slippery. The path was obvious for us, but if you're attempting this in winter, expect a much more difficult path to the top.

Route to Mueller Hut

Once you gain the pass, you're awarded with spectacular views of the ice wall on the opposing mountains.

There is a rocky outcrop that you can walk to just beyond the pass to the right. This spot is one of my favourites in terms of views on the Mueller Hut route. I got my telephoto lens out in this section which resulted in some of my favorite compressed images from the hike.

Once we rested up and took in the views, we were up for only a short 20-30-minute hike to the hut. This final section is mostly flat, and follows the orange markers again. The hut was easy to see as we rounded the corner, and due to the red color, I'd imagine it would be just as visible in winter.

Hiking to Mount Ollivier Summit

An unmissable side-trip from the Mueller Hut route is to climb up to Mount Ollivier summit. This is the small peak just behind the Mueller Hut. I waited for sunset for this short scramble and was glad I did!

The trail picks up just behind the hut but I recommend asking the hut warden or follow other hikers to find the path to the summit. For me it took less than 30 minutes to get to the top.

Mount Cook Sunset and Night Sky Views

At first, I thought the views couldn't be beaten. When sunset rolled in, I was proven wrong. We were lucky enough to enjoy perfect, calm and clear conditions while we sat up on the Sealy Range enjoying some of the best views in New Zealand.

The views of Mount Cook, the Hooker Valley, the Hooker Lake, and the surrounding peaks are absolutely breathtaking! Below are some of my favourite photos from this night.

What to Eat at the Mueller Hut

If you're staying at New Zealand overnight huts, you will need to bring your own food. Since there is water and gas cooking facilities, you can cook your food.

I'd recommend lightweight, dehydrated food such as couscous, rice, noodles or oats.

Hiking to the Mueller Hut in Winter

If you are attempting the Mueller Hut in winter, then things change a little bit. Due to the elevation, much of the upper sections of the track will be slippery and icy. The climb is also mostly exposed, so it is paramount that winter hikers are prepared and monitor weather conditions. Avalanches are also common on the Sealy Range.

Remember to get weather updates and recommendations from the DOC Visitor Center in the Mount Cook Village before departing.

Hiking the Mueller Hut Route in One Day

In my opinion, staying in the hut or camping near it is one of the best experiences you can have! However, if you are low on time or simply just want to tackle the Mueller Hut hike on a day trip, then it's definitely possible.

In saying that, I'd suggest leaving fairly early if you want to complete the out-and-back hike in one day to ensure that you'll have enough time to stop and admire the view.

Mueller Hut Route Map

Below is a map of the Mueller Hut Route printed from the official DOC map online.

Accommodation Near Mount Cook National Park

More Photos From My Hike

I hope that you enjoyed this guide to hiking the Mueller Hut Route in New Zealand's Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Here are some pictures of the night sky and sunset from our campsite.

If you are looking for more hikes and travel guides, check out some of my other posts below.

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• South Island's Best Hikes: I hiked over 50 trails in New Zealand. Here's my curated list of the most breathtaking hikes across New Zealand's South Island.
• Arthur's Pass Travel Guide: Dive into the heart of Arthur's Pass with my guide to the best places to visit.
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• Catlins' Hidden Gems: Uncover the Catlins' best-kept secrets, from waterfalls to wild coastlines.
• How to Get to Milford Sound: My popular guide on the different ways to get to Milford Sound across the South Island.
• Accommodation Resources: Plan where to stay in Queenstown and discover the amazing Tekapo Lake Hotels.