Last Updated: 4th Jan 2024

Intermediate

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Kepler Track

Te Anau, Southland

Submitted by Kieran Philip

Last Updated: 4th Jan 2024

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 81 ?

Gnarl Factor: 23 ?

60.1km

2050m

2050m

1403m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush

Riverside

Lakeside

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

85%
10%
5%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.9%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

10:00

Slow

7:30

Moderate

5:00

Fast

The Kepler is one of the "Great Walks". You start just out of Te Anau, off Golf Course Rd. Head across the Control Gates and keep going straight. Follow the track - this is easy as it is like a highway - along to Brod Bay. Head up to Luxmore Hut, a good solid climb and then keep going past Luxmore Hut and up to the highest point on the track. Before Luxmore Hut there is a side track off to the limestone caves which are worth a look if you have the time. After the hut, near the highest point is an optional side track up to the top of Mt Luxmore to nab the trig there and get a great photo! The track heads along the ridgeline for the next five kilometers. It then drops down to Iris Burn Hut - another nice side track if you have time is up the waterfalls off to your right of the track. After Iris Burn Hut you are on the way home, head down the valley to meet Lake Manapouri and then follow the Waiau River back towards the start. There is the option of bailing at Rainbow Reach if you'd like, which would shorten the run to about 50km, but you'd need transport back to your car.

Limestone caves, great views of surrounding areas, trigs to bag, ridges to run along, waterfall, peat bog - so much to offer!

Parking in available in carpark at the end of the track, would pay to take valuables with you as car park is pretty remote and could be targeted by unpleasant people.

6 km

10 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Gaiters.

Water available at the DOC huts - Luxmore, Iris Burn and Motarau.

Covered in snow during winter months and multiple avalanche paths you have to cross. Worth consulting with DOC office in Te Anau before giving it a go in winter conditions.

Can be very windy on ridgeline so care is needed not be blown off at times. General trip hazards you would expect on tracks.

Sandfly Cafe
9 The Lane, Te Anau 9600
https://www.facebook.com/Sandfly-Cafe-121495891284054/
Good coffee Good Food Need I say more?

Trail Legend

JR

Jack Reid

has completed Kepler Track 5 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Can you rate 6 stars?

Years of training to endure a 60km run, and got to say, WORTH IT!

if you have not done it yet, do it!

The views (and uphills) are breathtaking LOL

Maximilliano Molina

January 14, 2021

OMFG!!!!
Have waited for years to run this track... so worth the wait... simply magic!

Mike Tennent

January 10, 2021

Insanely beautiful, this trail offers a bit of everything. We had to shuffle a few days to get good weather but so worth waiting for as you want the views on the tops. We took some headphones along which we only used in the last 25kms where it does stretch out and become a pure mind over body endurance run. Super fun

Anna Scheirlinck

January 5, 2021

Very beautiful and rewarding run. A great introduction to ultra distance trail running. The track is very runnable and tidy underfoot. I'll be back.

Sándor Tóth

December 29, 2020

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