There is a good selection of short walking tracks departing from Mount Cook Village.
The most popular hike is the Hooker Valley Walk (4 hours return), which passes Mueller Lake and crosses two swing bridges while following the Hooker River to Hooker Lake at the foot of Hooker Glacier.
Other short walks from the village include Red Tarns Walk (2 hours return), which has a steep climb to a point that affords breathtaking views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding alpine country. Kea Point Walk (2 hours return) leaves from the DOC Visitor Centre and climbs to a viewpoint looking over Mueller Lake, the Hooker Valley, Mount Sefton and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The more challenging Sealy Tarns Track (3–4 hours return) branches off from the Kea Point Walk and climbs past abundant wildflowers to offer a stunning view of Aoraki/Mount Cook.