In this post I will share all you need to know for hiking the Kepler Track in 3 days. During my trip to New Zealand, hiking the Kepler Track was one of the most incredible experiences I had. It was my first solo multi-day hike, carrying everything I needed—food and gear—on my back while staying in huts along the way. What a trip!
Hiking the Kepler Track in 3 days, 2 nights
Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular hiking routes and part of the country’s famous Great Walks. Located in Fiordland National Park on the South Island, near the town of Te Anau, it stretches 60 km in a breathtaking loop through mountains, forests, and along stunning lakes. The track offers some of the most epic views over fjords and alpine terrain. It is considered moderate to challenging, depending on weather conditions, and typically takes 3-4 days to complete. I opted to stay two nights in huts, completing the roughly 60 km in three full days—the last day being longer but mostly flat.
Hiking the Kepler Track was an unforgettable experience! I was incredibly lucky with the weather and met so many kind people along the way, which was a big part of the journey. I want to share a few pages from my journal, written during the hike, to give you a sense of the atmosphere and my thoughts throughout the trek.
Sunday, November 10
I’m sitting in Luxmore Hut, and my hiking adventure officially started today. It feels amazing! I arrived in Te Anau by bus yesterday and went to the DOC office to check trail conditions. Luckily, they confirmed that the full track was open and the weather looked good. I’ve been so excited about this hike and spent a lot of time thinking about how much food to bring. My backpack ended up feeling really heavy with food for three days, extra clothes, a sleeping bag, two full water bottles, and cooking gear. I can already feel it in my neck and shoulders—today’s hike was tough!
I’ve been in such a great mood all day and truly enjoyed the trek. I’ve looked forward to this experience for so long, and it feels amazing to finally be here.
Yesterday, I managed to plan a big part of my remaining time in NZ, which gives me peace of mind. So now, I’m sitting here in the hut, feeling relaxed, excited for the next few days, and looking forward to boiling water later to test my Back Country freeze-dried meals—hopefully, they’re good! I’m also genuinely excited to crawl into my sleeping bag and experience a night out here in the mountains.
Monday, November 11
This is so amazing! Exactly how I hoped it would feel, if not even better. It’s such a great feeling to be this happy.
Today was absolutely breathtaking! Probably the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done. The mountains were majestic, with fresh snow in some areas, making parts of the landscape perfectly white. The sun was shining, with only a few clouds in the sky. The colors were stunning—the mix of heather, grass, and other plants I don’t know the names of, combined with the dramatic mountain formations—just wow.
There were moments when I just couldn’t bring myself to move forward because I wanted to stand and take it all in forever. Thankfully, I had plenty of time, and I never felt rushed. It was nice that everyone around me also took it slow, unlike some of the day hikes I’ve done, where people seem to be in a hurry just to reach the summit and descend again. Here, everyone took the time to simply be present.
There was a perfect amount of people on the track, making it easy to have short conversations along the way. I actually talked to so many people today, and maybe because I’m traveling alone, people have been incredibly friendly and curious about my journey. Almost everyone else is hiking with a companion, but on this trek, I feel totally comfortable being alone. I’ve really enjoyed the balance of hiking solo at my own pace while still connecting with others throughout the day.
Right now, I’m sitting in the common room, having just finished my Back Country spaghetti bolognese—it was actually pretty decent. The atmosphere here is so cozy. Almost no one is on their phone—they’re not even on the tables. If people aren’t eating or talking, they’re reading or playing cards. I absolutely love this vibe.
I got bitten by sandflies, and my face is a mess. It itches like crazy! I had never heard of them before this hike, but they’re tiny biting flies, kind of like mosquitoes—but worse. Hoping the bites calm down soon.
Wednesday, November 13
Yesterday was my last day on the Kepler Track, and overall, this has been an incredible experience.
I was completely exhausted yesterday and felt super tired during most of the day’s hike. The scenery was still beautiful, winding through forests, but I definitely prefer higher elevations with open landscapes. My legs were so tired, and I hit a few low points throughout the day. But in the end, I made it!
Check out Packing list for three months in New Zealand, Hike to Mt. Fyffe Hut and Solo woman on the Camino
Kepler Track Overview
Picture from: https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/the-kepler-track/
How to hike the Kepler Track in 3 days, 2 nights
Day 1 – Control Gates to Luxmore Hut
Since I didn’t have a car at this point in my trip, I walked from my accommodation to Control Gates before starting the trail. This added about 5 km (1 hour) of extra flat walking.
From Control Gates to Brod Bay, the trail was mostly flat, winding through beautiful forests with occasional views of Lake Te Anau. I took a lunch break at Brod Bay before heading towards Luxmore Hut.
From Brod Bay, the trail became steep, zigzagging through the forest. I had to take several breathing breaks, but the forest was beautiful, and stepping out above the tree line was absolutely breathtaking.
The final stretch to Luxmore Hut had stunning views over the mountains and Lake Te Anau.
Day 2 – Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut
This was my favorite day and the most beautiful part of the trek. I have almost no words for how stunning it was. I was lucky with the weather, which made it feel safe to hike along the ridge tops. It took me about 8 hours (including breaks) hiking this section and I loved every second of it.
Most of the day was spent in open alpine terrain with crazy panoramic views. Early in the day, I took a side trip to Mount Luxmore (1472 m) since the skies were perfectly clear. The reward? Another incredible view.
After that came a long, steep descent through dense forest, which required careful footing. Iris Burn Hut was nestled in a beautiful valley, with a short walk leading to the Iris Burn Waterfall. I’d rate this day moderate to challenging, especially in bad weather.
Day 3 – Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach
On the last day, I hiked about 22 km—the longest stretch, but with relatively flat terrain, making it the easiest.
The trail passed through lush forests, followed rivers, and passed Moturau Hut, where I had a nice lunch break. Many people I’d met earlier stayed an extra night here, but I continued to Rainbow Reach, where I had booked a shuttle taxi back to Te Anau.
Hiking Kepler Track was one of the most amazing experiences of my trip. The scenery, the people, and the sense of adventure made it truly unforgettable. Remember to book the huts in advance, this trek is very popular: https://bookings.doc.govt.nz/web/Facilities/SearchViewGreatWalk.aspx
