Sealy Tarns & Mueller Hut – Aoraki/Mt Cook’s “Stairway to Heaven”

Why hike here?

After sweating my way up around 2,200 steps (with a few snack breaks in between), reaching Sealy Tarns felt like an incredible reward. From here, the views open up over the Hooker Valley, Mueller Lake, and the surrounding glacier-carved peaks. They don’t call it the “Stairway to Heaven” for nothing – it’s a relatively short hike, but the payoff is huge.

And if you’re up for more? Sealy Tarns is only the halfway point to the famous Mueller Hut. Continue on and you’ll be treated to full 360° alpine views, the kind of scene that makes a sunrise or sunset feel unforgettable.

Quick facts

• Distance: 5.8km return (Sealy Tarns) / 10.4km return (Mueller Hut)

• Time: 3 - 4hrs return (Sealy Tarns) / 6 - 8hrs return (Mueller Hut)

• Elevation gain: ±600m (Sealy Tarns, 2,200 steps) / ±1,050m (Mueller Hut)

• Hut: 28 bunks, booking required via DOC (very popular, book early!)

• Start/end: White Horse Hill Campground (with toilets & parking)

• Optional detour: Kea Point lookout – but honestly, the views are far better from Sealy Tarns.

• Difficulty: Moderate to hard. Conditions vary hugely depending on the season - snow, ice, or avalanche risk can make it much tougher.

Sealy Tarns top view

Sealy Tarns stairs of hike

Sealy Tarns hike

Sealy Tarns viewpoint

Sealy Tarns viewpoint village

Sealy Tarns top

The trail to Sealy Tarns

The track kicks off at White Horse Hill Campground and starts out gently. Before long, the famous staircase appears (yes, actual steps – and lots of them). Step by step, as you climb higher, the views keep improving along the way. It’s a popular trail, so expect to share the path with other hikers. At the top, you’ll find a viewpoint with a picnic table – the perfect spot to catch your breath, have a snack, and soak in those stunning glacier valley views.

When I hiked in winter, the tarns were frozen, drizzle turned to rain, and just as I reached the top, a massive rainbow arched across the valley, stretching over the village below. It was absolutely stunning – one of those rare, unforgettable moments that made the climb feel like a 110% reward. How often do you get that kind of magic right as you reach the peak?

On the way back down, the weather turned to worse, and I found myself in a small hailstorm. A true reminder: always check the weather before you go. Conditions here can change so quickly.

Heading up to Mueller Hut

From Sealy Tarns, the trail gets rougher but less stair-heavy. You zigzag higher onto the ridge, and every step opens up the views a little more – until finally, the Mueller Hut appears against the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and Hooker Glacier. Staying overnight here is an iconic New Zealand experience: sunset, sunrise, and a night sky filled with stars.

Tips

• Check the weather forecast – at least the night before and again the morning you go.

• Visit DOC’s website for avalanche info in winter/spring.

• Best seasons: summer and autumn.

• Start early if you’re heading to the hut.

• If staying overnight: book in advance, bring a sleeping bag, cooker, and food.

Whether you stop at Sealy Tarns or push on to Mueller Hut, this is one of those hikes that will stay with you long after you’ve left Mt Cook. I know it did for me.