The effort is worth it! The trail consists mainly of steps (some of them high ones). The elevation gain is almost immediate. You don't necessarily have to climb all the way to the top to enjoy a beautiful view. There are many great spots along the way. At the top, you have almost the same view—just higher and a little further into the valley. Please wear suitable shoes! Balance is also important. There are no railings. Turn around if it becomes too strenuous.

Great views of valleys and lakes under Aoraki! Worth going even just a part up the stairs despite ice and snow on them.Put on microspikes for the way back.

Worth all the steps!

We did this on a drizzly day and didn’t see kea but it was still worth it. Soooo many steps though! I counted almost 2,000.

Awesome views! Worth the sweat to get to the top on a clear day. Tarns(ponds) were frozen in winter, just at the start of the snow line (hadn't snowed in a few days due to good weather). Have a picnic lunch with sounds of small avalanches off Mt Sefton.

Nice hike. We did it on a beautiful warm sunny day. A word of advice: leave early in the morning because there is little shade on the way. 1h25 to go up, nice break upstairs to admire the glacier (and hear it crack) and Mount Cook, 45min to go down again. Ascent a little difficult, only steps !! But the view all along is worth it, and it allows for photo breaks !!

Amazing view at the top. We had a cloudless day and it's worth it! We did it in 1h30 at a good pace. I advise !!