I am very excited to write this post because I struggled to find much about other families completing the Sealy Tarns hike with a toddler. There’s a few posts on Mueller Hut and Sealy Tarns with children, but not much with toddlers. Let alone, traveling as a pregnant mommy! Albeit our previous Roy’s Peak hike with our 18 month old, Maya, I was a little reluctant on whether or not this was too risky of a climb. After much research, we decided that we would complete this hike only if the weather was perfect and do it mid-day (less likely to be icy steps). Read through our guide to decide if the Sealy Tarns Track is right for your family! Don’t forget to check out our full New Zealand Road Trip with a Toddler itinerary as well 🙂
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About the Sealy Tarns Track
Distance: 3.3 mi
Duration: ~3 hrs
Elevation Gain: 1,791 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & Back
The Sealy Tarns track is over 2,200 steps and known as the New Zealand “stairway to heaven”. With steep switchbacks and stairs that take you over a mile to the top, this hike is not only challenging, but a rewarding accomplishment worth each step! The epic summit gives you unobstructed, panoramic views of Hooker Valley and Mount Cook. Not to mention, the entire climb is on the edge of the mountainside and you will experience stunning views of the Mount Cook/Aoraki region through its entirety. This out-and-back trail is a must do when visiting Mount Cook. Be sure to allow yourselves a few hours to hike at your own pace. For those who are most adventurous, keep going to Mueller Hut where you can spend the night and witness some epic stargazing and sunrises. You’ll add an extra 3 miles to your journey, but it looks absolutely worth it. We hope to go back once day and do this!
Where is The Sealy Tarns Track
The Sealy Tarns Track is located in Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park in New Zealand’s South Island. Depending on where you are coming from, I’d recommend staying overnight and completing the hike the next day. We did the Hooker Valley Track (easy) upon arrival from Wanaka and then Sealy Tarns the next morning. You only need a night or two in Mount Cook in our opinion. It is a stunning location and worth visiting! Stay at The Hermitage Hotel or park your camper van on site. Just be sure to book your site ahead of time! We’ve stayed both at Mount Cook (White Horse Hill) and down the road at Glentanner. Read our New Zealand road trip guide for more tips.
When to Hike
The biggest obstacle for anyone planning to do the Sealy Tarns Track with a toddler will be the weather. This hike is constructed entirely of steep timber steps and is not safe to do with kids in icy, slippery conditions. Despite the warm, mild temperatures at the base, we still encounter a little bit of snow and ice at the very top. I can only imagine how tough this hike would be in the winter (if accessible at all). That being said, this hike should be avoided in the winter time. We visited the South Island of New Zealand in May (their Autumn) and it was the perfect time of the year. The weather at the top was chilly and mildly snowy, but the rest was ideal conditions. The steps were not wet or slippery until the very end (here the trail was flatter and less of inclined steps. I did not feel nervous walking here because it was very safe and more room for error if you were to slip and fall.
Ultimately, this hike could be done spring, summer or autumn. I would recommend assessing the weather the day of and avoid hiking during sunrise or sunset times. Going mid-day means any ice should have melted at this point, especially on a sunny day. Use your best judgement like you would any other hike with a toddler or baby.
What to Pack
Packing for the Sealy Tarns Track is pretty similar to any of our other packing recommendations. We typically are only doing day hikes when traveling with a toddler, so you don’t need to go crazy overpacking, but you do want some necessities. Our hiking pack list we shared in our Roy’s Peak with a Toddler post is the same we would use on Sealy Tarns, so I will copy the same one here 🙂
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- Child Hiking Carrier (we love the Osprey Poco line)
- Hiking Poles
- Hiking boots (water resistant)
- Hat and gloves for the top
- Warm base layers (merino wool is the best for temperature regulation)
- Fleece jacket
- Rain jacket (we love the Therm Kids SplashMagic jackets)
- Water
- Plenty of snacks (apples, PB&J, trail mix & snickers are our go to’s)
- Diapers/Wipes
- Milk bottle (if needed)
- Portable changing pad (depending on age of child)
- Sunglasses or hat (no shade)
- Sunscreen for sensitive babies in the summer
- Camera, Go Pro, Drone, Tripod (for the photographers out there)
- Mini first aid kit (10% off KEEP>GOING kits)
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Toddler Tips
- Like with any steep, potentially dangerous hike, we always recommend carrying your little one in a reliable hiking carrier for any portion of the trail that you think is necessary. Unless there is a section of flat terrain with plenty of roam to wander, our toddler/baby will stay in her carrier. We love the Osprey hiking baby carriers as they have proven to be comfortable and keep our little ones safe over the years. Once you arrive at the peak, there is a small area that is safe for you to let your toddler out. Keep a close eye on them and be aware that there may be snow if you’re not hiking in the summer time.
- Attempt to time this hike around nap time for your toddler. It will take about 3 hours to complete and is the perfect nap hike! Especially, since there is really nowhere to let your toddler out of the carrier until you reach the top.
- If you’re little one has a consistent dirty diapers timing, I would plan around this too 🙂 Most of the climb is steep steps and you may have trouble finding a spot to change a diaper along the way
- Prior to reaching the trail start, there is a great area to let your toddler practice their hiking. Let her/him out here at the beginning and end of the hike to burn some energy. Bonus: you’ll get some epic, cute photos to show them when they’re older!
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Sealy Tarns Track is one of the most scenic hikes in the Mount Cook region. I would absolutely do this hike again (preferably including the Mueller Hut Route) when visiting the South Island in the future. I think this hike is safe and doable with a toddler, baby or small child. Like many steep inclines, children who will not be in a carrier may have a tough time and tire out easily if they’re not used to hiking. Every child is different and only you know their level of endurance and mental toughness when hiking. Ultimately, you can always turn back around as these hikes are not very long and it is much quicker getting to the base.
Don’t forget to enjoy a well-deserved break at The Hermitage Hotel where you’ll find scenic views of Mount Cook and some incredibly delicious coffee, beer, and snacks! Be sure to read our full South Island, NZ road trip with a toddler road trip guide and subscribe to our channel for more destination inspiration and tips!
