The Kepler Track is one of my favourite multi-day hikes in New Zealand. The hike is a 60km loop that leaves from Te Anau in Fiordland National Park. You will get a feeling of walking on top of the world and will see the most beautiful mountain and lake views. With the right fitness level, most people can walk this hike as the tracks are very well maintained.
Summary
- Distance: 60km loop
- Costs: $202 NZD p.p. (2 nights – International visitor)
- Difficulty: Moderate
How many days to walk the Kepler Track?
We hiked the Kepler Track in 3 days/2 nights:
- Day 1: Kepler Track car park – Luxmore Hut (13.8 KM – 5.5 hours)
- Day 2: Luxmore Hut – Iris Burn Hut (14 KM – 7 hours)
- Day 3: Iris Burn Hut – Kepler Track car park (31.7 KM – 10 hours)
If you are not in good fitness I would not recommend hiking 31.7KM in 1 day. Even though the entire day is fairly flat it is a LONG walk. For this reason, most people choose to skip the last 9.5KM as the scenery is much the same.
What is the Track like?
The Kepler Track is a loop, so you can walk it either way. We decided to hike it anti-clockwise as we would rather walk the steep part (mostly stairs) of day 2 down instead of up. Of all the great walks that I have done in New Zealand, I have to say that the Kepler track was the best maintained.
Day 1
On day 1 the hike starts with a stroll through the forest along the shore of Lake Te Anau. After that, there is a climb up which takes you above the bush line. You will be treated with an impressive view of Lake Te Anau surrounded by mountains.
Day 2
Day 2 was by far the best day of the Kepler Track. It can be walked in 5 hours but give yourself enough time to fully enjoy the view. On this day you can see the true beauty of the Kepler Mountains and their incredible ridge-lines. The beautiful mountain top views will amaze you around every corner. We were lucky that some snow had fallen in the night which resulted in even more magical views. The day ends with ~1 hour going down before you arrive at the Iris Burn Hut. This is one of the best places in New Zealand to spot Kiwis. We went out in the night but unfortunately did not see any (tip: bring a redlight head torch).
Important: we booked a campsite at the Iris Burn Hut. However, we quickly learned that if you don’t want your tent to be ripped apart that you should not camp here. There are many (MANY) Kia’s around this campsite/hut and they are extremely interested in your stuff. I have seen Kia’s trying to rip boots apart and flying around with socks. Long story short: Book the Hut.
Day 3
On day 3 you mostly walk through the forest and some parts through the wetland. It is a relaxing walk which in my opinion was not the most exciting. If you want to spare your knees and don’t want to walk for over 10 hours I recommend that you take a bus/shuttle from Rainbow Reach car park.
Where to sleep on the Kepler Track?
On the Kepler Track, huts are available where you can stay during your hike. We walked the track anti-clockwise which means that our first stop was at the Luxmore Hut. At this hut, there are no camping facilities and therefore you are mandatory to stay in the hut. However, there is a New Zealand law that applies to all Great walks which states that you can camp if it is 500m off the trail. I would however definitely recommend staying in the Luxmore Hut as there are many Kia’s on the lookout to destroy your tent (see earlier comment).
On the second day you stay at the Iris Burn Hut. If you are into star gazing this is the place to go! We were lucky that there were no clouds and saw the milky way! Truly amazing!
Huts can easily be booked through the DOC website: bookings.doc.govt.nz
Costs:
- Luxmore Hut: International Visitors: $102 (~€62)
- Iris Burn: International Visitors: $102 (~€62)
Last piece of advice before you start
- Bring hiking poles: trust me they are not just for old people and will make your hike way more enjoyable.
- Check the weather forecast before you start the hike because the weather can change rapidly.
- Bring clothing which suits all seasons.
Interested in hiking in Fiordland? Check out this post: Routburn Track
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