Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is a 60 km (37 mi) circular hiking track which travels through the landscape of the South Island of New Zealand and is situated near the town of Te Anau. The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park such as rocky mountain ridges, tall mossy forests, lake shores, deep gorges, rare wetlands and rivers. Like the mountains it traverses, the track is named after Johannes Kepler. The track is one of the New Zealand Great Walks and is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
| Kepler Track | |
|---|---|
An alpine section of the Kepler Track | |
| Length | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Location | Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand |
| Designation | New Zealand Great Walk |
| Trailheads | Lake Te Anau control gates, Rainbow Reach, Brod Bay |
| Use | Hiking, running |
| Highest point | Luxmore Saddle 1,400 m (4,600 ft) |
| Lowest point | Lake Manapouri, 178 m (584 ft) |
| Difficulty | medium |
| Season | Summer to Autumn |
| Months | Late October to mid April Possible to walk in winter months too, but for experienced hikers only |
| Sights | Ridgetop alpine views, lakes, wetlands, forests, rivers, waterfalls |
| Hazards | Hypothermia, sunburn, high winds |
Compared with other tracks in New Zealand, this walking track is constructed to a very high standard. Most streams are bridged, boardwalks cover boggy areas and the very steep sections have steps. It is a moderate walking track that takes three to four days to complete.
The Kepler Track is also home to the Kepler Challenge, an annual running race that traverses the whole 60 kilometres (37 mi), which the winners complete in less than five hours.