Kepler Track
A 60-kilometre Fiordland circuit linking lake shore, beech forest, wetlands and a long alpine ridge above Te Anau.
Route overview
Kepler car park; Brod Bay; Luxmore Hut; alpine ridge and optional Luxmore summit; Iris Burn; Moturau; Rainbow Reach; Waiau River return.
Purpose-built as a Great Walk, the Kepler Track climbs from Lake Te Anau to Luxmore Hut and traverses exposed ridges before descending through Iris Burn to Lake Manapouri and the Waiau River. It combines excellent infrastructure in season with serious weather and avalanche exposure above the bushline.
Trail facts
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Southland / Fiordland, with Routeburn Track also crossing Otago
- Distance
- 60 km loop
- Typical duration
- 3–4 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- High alpine section with optional Mount Luxmore summit at 1,472 m
- Best season
- Great Walks season 27 October 2026–30 April 2027; winter only for experienced alpine parties
- Trail type
- Loop multi-day track
Access and logistics
- Permits and access
- Bookings and fees required for huts and campsites in season; Luxmore Hut remains bookable outside season.
Safety context
Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
Rapid weather change, high rainfall, strong wind, snow, avalanche paths, cold exposure, reduced winter facilities and kea damage to gear.
Highlights
Lake Te Anau, limestone bluffs, Luxmore Cave, alpine ridge, Mount Luxmore, Iris Burn, Lake Manapouri and wetlands.
Why find a buddy
The long ridge and changing conditions reward shared weather checks, pacing and emergency redundancy.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.