Take the steep climb to catch the perfect tarn reflection of Mount Cook and the Hooker Valley.
The Sealy Tarns track is a 7.5 km half-day hike offering incredible views of the Hooker Valley, Mount Cook and the moraines below. This track climbs steeply, covering over 2200 wooden steps as you ascend the 550 m to the breathtaking tarns.
This guide will help you plan what to pack, how to get here, and important tips to know before the hike!
Where is the Sealy Tarns Track?
The Sealy Tarns track is located in the Mount Cook National Park, just near the White Horse Hill Camp Site. This is the same area where you can start the Hooker Valley Track and the Mueller Hut hike.
In fact, the Sealy Tarns track makes up the first section of the Mueller Hut track. So, when you're looking for the trailhead, just look for signs to the left pointing to Sealy Tarns or Mueller Hut.
How to Get to the Sealy Tarns Track
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. That being said, this car park can get very busy in peak season, so plan to arrive early.
Location: Parking Area
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.
Tip: How to Get Around in New Zealand
Rent a car! New Zealand is very safe for motorists & driving is the best way to explore the country.
I always DiscoverCars to get the best deals. Or, if you want a camper, I've had good experiences in NZ with Spaceships & Travellers Autobarn.
What to Expect Along the Trail
- Hike Distance & Duration: 7.5 km return in 2 - 3 hours
- Elevation: 1310 m with 550 m total elevation gain
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep)
From the White Horse Hill Campsite, you'll need to follow signs to the Sealy Tarns / Mueller Hut / Kea Point track.
After approximately 10 minutes of walking, you'll come to a junction where you will turn left to continue on the Sealy Tarns track. The right path goes to a small viewpoint of the moraine known as Kea Point.
Soon after joining the Sealy Tarns track, you'll begin your long, steep ascent. This is fairly monotonous, as you walk up the 2200 vertical wooden steps to the tarns.
Tip: Haylea used her hiking poles on this trail as we carried our large bags to the top to sleep at Mueller Hut. She said these helped a lot with the stairs!
The track is fairly exposed, which means it's important to be prepared for bad weather. On a clear day, you can break up the monotony by turning around and admiring the increasingly better view behind you.
After about an hour, and 2220 steps later, you'll have arrived at the Sealy Tarns. This is a wooden bench here which is great for relaxing and enjoying the views. Its the perfect place to enjoy a picnic with views of Mount Cook!
If you have time, I'd highly recommend continuing on for the Mueller Hut route. This is one of my favourite alpine hikes in New Zealand and definitely worth the overnight stay too.
Sealy Tarns Reflections
Put simply, a tarn is a small mountain lake or pool. Due to the crisp mountain air, tarns are great for capturing reflection photos.
The Sealy Tarns track is especially popular because these tarns allow you to catch some great reflective photos of Mount Cook.
For better photos, try to get low to maximise the mountain reflection in the tarn.
Quick Tips for the Sealy Tarn Hike
Below I've also included some quick tips to help you plan a day of hiking the Sealy Tarns track.
- Start early for sunrise views
- Check Mount Cook National Park weather updates
- Prepare for an icy, slippery trail in Winter
- Notify somebody of your intentions (DOC)
- Keep your pack light
- Be prepared for swift changes in weather
What to Pack for the Hike
Here are some essentials for completing the Sealy Tarns hike.
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Head Torch
- Muesli Bar or other Trail snacks
- Sturdy boots or trail runners
- Lightweight clothing
- Rain Jacket
- Warm layers for the top
- Camera - read my guide to camera gear for hiking & travel
Accommodation in Mount Cook National Park
With so many amazing hiking opportunities in Mount Cook National Park, it's worth staying at least a night in the nearby Mount Cook Village. Below are the 3 top-rated options with links to check availability & pricing.
A spacious motel offering small, affordable rooms and large, two-bedroom apartments in the Mount Cook Village.
2. Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge Top-Pick
A beautiful lodge with spacious rooms accommodating everyone from couples to large families, just a 5-minute walk from the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
An incredible hotel with mountain views & a warm fireplace, just a drive to the start of the Hooker Valley Track.
Additional Photos from the Tarns Trail
I hope that this quick guide to hiking the Sealy Tarns track in New Zealand's South Island has been useful. If you are looking for more travel inspirations or hikes on the South Island, why not check out some of the links below.
- 36 Amazing Places to Visit in the South Island - my most comprehensive travel guide that is useful to help you find the best places to visit on your trip to the South Island
- Top Things to Do in Queenstown: Explore Queenstown's top hikes, epic adrenaline activities, and hidden gems.
- 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.
- Best Mount Cook National Park Hikes: A hiking guide to the most scenic trails beneath Mount Cook.
- Best Views of Mount Cook: Discover the top spots to witness New Zealand's Aoraki peak in all its glory.
- Epic Things to do at Milford Sound: Explore 21 unique ideas get inspired to visit Milford Sound!
- Catlins' Hidden Gems: Uncover the Catlins' best-kept secrets, from waterfalls to wild coastlines.
- Accommodation Resources: Plan where to stay in Queenstown and discover the amazing Tekapo Lake Hotels.
