Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is a 60 km (37 mi) circular hiking trail in Fiordland National Park, Southland region, on New Zealand's South Island, offering a multi-day journey through diverse landscapes of ancient beech forests, alpine tussock ridgelines, glacier-carved valleys, cascading waterfalls, and shimmering lakeshores.[1][2] The Kepler Track, opened in 1988, is one of New Zealand's eleven Great Walks; the track starts and ends near the town of Te Anau, providing access to remote wilderness areas while featuring well-maintained paths, boardwalks, and bridges to enhance safety and enjoyment for intermediate-level trampers.[2][3] Typically completed over three to four days, it includes overnight stays at serviced huts such as Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut, with bookings required during the peak Great Walks season from late October to late April, when facilities are fully operational and weather conditions are more favorable.[1][2] The route highlights Fiordland's ecological richness, including encounters with native birds like the kea and views of limestone bluffs and river flats, though off-season travel from May to October demands advanced navigation skills due to potential snow, high winds, and limited hut access.[1][2] Managed by the Department of Conservation, the Kepler Track exemplifies sustainable tourism in a UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing thousands of hikers annually to experience its panoramic vistas and pristine environment.[1]Location and Access
Geographic Setting
The Kepler Track is situated within Fiordland National Park in the southwestern region of New Zealand's South Island, encompassing a diverse array of temperate rainforests, alpine terrains, and glacial lakes.[1] This park forms a core component of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, a UNESCO-designated site recognized for its outstanding natural values, including unmodified ecosystems and geological features shaped by ancient tectonic and glacial processes.[4][5] The track traverses landscapes dominated by the Kepler Mountains, with prominent surrounding features including the expansive Lake Te Anau to the south and Lake Manapouri to the east, both fed by glacial meltwaters and surrounded by dense beech forests.[5] Wetlands and smaller bodies of water, such as Lake Gunn, punctuate the lower elevations, supporting unique flora like podocarps and ferns, while tussock grasslands cover higher slopes.[1] The route climbs through these environments to alpine ridges, reaching a maximum elevation of approximately 1,400 meters at Luxmore Saddle, offering panoramic views of the rugged terrain.[5] Geologically, the area reflects ancient glaciated terrain formed during the Pleistocene era, characterized by U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys, and deep fiords carved by retreating glaciers, with underlying fault lines associated with the ongoing uplift of the Southern Alps.[5] The 60 km loop track begins and ends at the Lake Te Anau Control Gates (approximate coordinates: 45°24'S 167°43'E), near the town of Te Anau, as detailed in official Department of Conservation maps for navigational reference.[1][5]Transportation and Entry Points
The Kepler Track is primarily accessed via State Highway 6 (SH6), which connects the nearby towns of Te Anau and Manapouri to the trailheads in Fiordland National Park.[1] From Te Anau, visitors can drive approximately 5 km south along the lakeside road to reach the Control Gates car park, the traditional starting point for the full loop, where secure parking is available for the duration of the hike.[6] Alternatively, the Rainbow Reach car park, serving as an entry for the southern section of the track, is about 13 km from Te Anau via SH6 toward Manapouri, with additional parking facilities provided.[7] From Manapouri, access to Rainbow Reach is even shorter, roughly 8 km north along SH6, making it a convenient option for those based in that area.[8] Shuttle bus services operate daily from Te Anau to both the Control Gates and Rainbow Reach trailheads, typically departing from the town center or accommodation pickups, and are essential for those without personal vehicles.[9] These services, provided by operators like Tracknet, allow hikers to reach the trailheads efficiently and return from the opposite end to complete the loop without backtracking.[2] For variants that shorten the route, a water taxi service crosses Lake Te Anau from the Te Anau lakefront to Brod Bay, approximately 5 km into the track from the Control Gates, enabling day hikes or abbreviated loops while bypassing the initial flat section.[1] Brod Bay serves as an alternative starting point for shorter excursions, such as day hikes along the lakeside track or as a shortcut for completing the Kepler loop in reverse, with water taxi drop-offs facilitating easy access.[10] All entry points feature basic facilities like parking and information boards, and visitors are advised to coordinate transport in advance through the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau, which is just a short walk or drive from the Control Gates.[1]History
Early History and Naming
The region encompassing the Kepler Track, situated between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri in Fiordland, has deep cultural significance for Ngāi Tahu, the tangata whenua of the area. Lake Te Anau, known to Māori as Te Ana-au (meaning "caves with a current of swirling water"), served as an essential waypoint on pounamu (greenstone) gathering routes and overland trails linking the east and west coasts of Te Waipounamu ([South Island](/page/South Island)), supporting seasonal travel and resource use.[11][12] Lake Manapouri, traditionally named Roto-ua ("rainy lake") in earlier accounts or Moturau ("many islands") reflecting its numerous islets, was a prized mahinga kai (food-gathering) site for Ngāi Tahu, particularly at its eastern end where archaeological evidence of occupation—such as middens and tools—indicates sustained use of fish, birds, and plants from surrounding inlets, beaches, and islands.[13][14] European interest in the Fiordland interior, including the Kepler area, emerged in the mid-19th century amid the Otago gold rush, which began with significant discoveries in 1861 and drew prospectors westward, though the dense rainforests, steep terrain, and fjords severely restricted access and settlement. Initial surveys focused on land mapping to facilitate mining claims and provincial development, with limited expeditions penetrating beyond coastal zones like Preservation Inlet, where a minor gold rush occurred in 1868.[15][16][17] During a reconnaissance survey of the Otago lake districts in 1863, commissioned by the Otago provincial government, surveyor James McKerrow named the prominent range bordering the lakes the Kepler Mountains, honoring the 17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler as part of his practice of commemorating scientific figures rather than colonial officials. Appointed Geodesical Surveyor and Inspector of Surveys for Otago that year, McKerrow's work covered thousands of square miles of remote terrain, establishing foundational geographic knowledge despite the challenges of the landscape.[18]Establishment and Development
The Kepler Track was conceived in 1985 as a circular route to celebrate the centenary of New Zealand's national parks system, with construction funded by a $1.5 million government grant.[19] The idea was first proposed by former Fiordland National Park Board members Alf Excell and Les Henderson, who envisioned an accessible loop showcasing the region's diverse landscapes.[20] Construction began in 1986, involving teams from Operation Raleigh, Department of Conservation (DOC) staff, and heavy machinery such as helicopters for material transport and miniature diggers for path formation, resulting in a high-standard trail featuring gravel surfaces, drains, numerous bridges, and boardwalks designed to minimize environmental impact like erosion in wetlands and boggy areas.[20][5] The track officially opened in February 1988, drawing nearly 2,000 visitors in its first few months and quickly establishing itself as a premier hiking experience.[20] It was designated one of New Zealand's original Great Walks in 1992, reflecting its planned accessibility and scenic highlights, and has been managed by the DOC—formed in 1987—ever since, with ongoing maintenance to preserve its infrastructure against Fiordland's harsh weather and floods.[21][22][1] Post-establishment, the track inspired the annual Kepler Challenge mountain run, first held on December 10, 1988, with 149 participants traversing the full 60 km loop.[19] This event, now limited to 450 runners and held on the first Saturday in December, has become New Zealand's premier mountain run, with elite competitors completing the demanding course in under five hours, as evidenced by the men's record of 4:33:37 set by Martin Dent in 2013.[23][24]Route Description
Itinerary Overview
The Kepler Track is a 60 km circular loop in Fiordland National Park, rated as intermediate difficulty and typically completed in 3-4 days.[1] It begins and ends near Te Anau, forming a loop that combines lakeside paths, alpine ridges, and river valleys, with shuttle transport often required to connect the finish at Rainbow Reach back to the start at Te Anau Control Gates (9.5 km road link).[1] The standard 4-day itinerary allows for a balanced pace, accommodating the track's varied terrain. On Day 1, hikers cover 13.8 km from Te Anau Control Gates to Luxmore Hut, taking 5-6 hours with a significant initial ascent through beech forest. Day 2 involves 14.6 km and 5-6 hours to Iris Burn Hut, traversing exposed ridgelines. Day 3 covers 16.2 km and 5-6 hours to Moturau Hut, through valley terrain. Day 4 is 13.2 km in 4-5 hours to Rainbow Reach, following the Waiau River terraces; a shuttle or 9.5 km road walk returns to the Control Gates.[1][5] This pacing aligns with hut accommodations at the end of each day.[1] For those seeking a faster traverse, a 3-day option combines Days 1 and 2 into a demanding 28.4 km day (10-12 hours), reaching Iris Burn Hut before the final two days.[1] This variant suits experienced trampers with strong fitness but increases fatigue on subsequent sections. The track's elevation profile features a total ascent of approximately 2,000 m, with the highest point near Luxmore Saddle (1,472 m) on Day 2, offering exposure to alpine conditions.[1] Descents dominate later days, but the cumulative gain requires preparation for variable weather.Key Sections and Features
The Kepler Track's route is divided into four primary sections, each offering distinct terrain and scenic highlights that showcase Fiordland National Park's diverse landscapes.[5] Control Gates to LuxmoreThe initial section begins with a riverside trail through dense beech forest along the shores of Lake Te Anau, providing shaded paths amid towering trees and occasional glimpses of the water.[5] Walkers then reach Brod Bay, a serene pebble beach where the track skirts the lake edge, offering reflective views of the surrounding mountains.[5] This transitions into a steep climb ascending approximately 550 m to the Limestone Bluffs at ~747 m, where limestone formations from ancient seabeds reveal caves and fossilized marine life, creating a striking geological contrast against the forested slopes.[25] The ascent continues another ~340 m to Luxmore Hut, culminating in open alpine tussock grasslands, with panoramic vistas of the Te Anau basin and distant peaks.[25] Luxmore to Iris Burn
From the alpine heights near Luxmore, this section traverses exposed ridgelines carpeted in golden tussock, delivering sweeping views across Fiordland's lakes, including Lake Te Anau and the Kepler Mire, framed by the Murchison and Takitimu Mountains.[25] The high-elevation walking exposes hikers to a vast, windswept wilderness, with the ridgelines providing a flowing foreground to expansive valleys and snow-capped ranges, peaking near 1,472 m.[25] As the path descends, it enters a gradual transition into southern beech forest, where the canopy thickens and the terrain softens, offering a sheltered contrast to the open tops above.[5] This descent highlights the track's elevation-driven scenery, from stark alpine expanses to intimate woodland glades.[5] Iris Burn to Moturau
This segment meanders through lowland wetlands and along the Iris Burn stream, featuring shallow river crossings that add a rhythmic element to the journey amid lush vegetation.[5] The path weaves into podocarp-broadleaf forest, dominated by rimu and miro trees alongside beech, creating a verdant, cathedral-like atmosphere with dappled light filtering through the canopy.[25] Notable here is the regenerating bush from the "Big Slip" landslide in 1984, where young podocarp and broadleaf species reclaim areas once scarred, illustrating natural succession.[5] Scenery shifts to reveal the South Fiord of Lake Te Anau, with its glassy waters and fringing shores, interspersed by gorges that channel the stream's flow.[5] The ever-changing vistas blend wetland openness with forest enclosure, emphasizing the area's hydrological diversity.[5] Moturau to Rainbow Reach
The final section follows a gentle, undulating path alongside the Waiau River, through terraces of beech forest that provide easy, immersive riverside walking with views of braided channels and riparian flora.[5] The terrain remains accessible, with the river's murmur and occasional clearings enhancing the tranquil close to the loop.[5] Unique features across the track include boardwalks that elevate paths over sensitive wetlands, preserving the ecosystem while offering unobstructed views of marshy habitats and stream confluences.[5] The route's diverse microclimates—from humid lake-edge forests to crisp alpine zones—create varied sensory experiences, with high rainfall nurturing lush undergrowth in lowlands and fostering resilient tussock in higher elevations.[25] These elements collectively highlight the track's role in revealing Fiordland's ecological gradients.[1]