Kepler Track in 3 Days: My Solo Great Walk Itinerary

If you're struggling to secure Kepler Track hut bookings, you're not alone. When I planned my walk, I could only get reservations at two huts instead of the three most hikers typically stay in. Rather than skip one of New Zealand's most popular Great Walks, I decided to tackle the Kepler Track solo in three days instead.

It made for an incredibly long and exhausting final day, but it was absolutely worth it! The Kepler Track has been one of my favorite Great Walks so far and really inspired me to try and walk all eleven of them during my year living in New Zealand.

In this guide, I'll share exactly what it was like hiking the Kepler Track solo over three days, whether I'd recommend this itinerary, who it's suitable for, and what I wish I'd known before setting off.

Can You Walk the Kepler Track in Three Days?

It is absolutely possible to walk the Kepler Track in three days. After all, some people even run it in a single day! But after hiking it solo myself, I don't think this itinerary is the right choice for everyone.

If you're reasonably fit, have experience with full-day hikes, and can't secure a booking at all three huts, I'd absolutely consider a three-day itinerary. However, if this is your first multi-day hike or you're worried about long days carrying a pack, I'd stick to the standard four-day route.

I'd recommend a three-day Kepler Track itinerary if:

✅ You're comfortable hiking at least 13.8 miles (22.2 km) over 6.5-8 hours while carrying a full overnight pack.

For reference, my final day was significantly longer than this and was by far the toughest part of the hike. There are some ways to shorten the distances though that I'll get into.

✅ You're visiting during the Great Walk season when daylight hours are longer and weather conditions tend to be more stable.

I personally wouldn't attempt this itinerary or even walking the Kepler Track at all with winter daylight hours and conditions.

✅ You couldn't secure all three hut bookings and are deciding whether to skip the track entirely or shorten the itinerary.

This is exactly why I ended up hiking it in three days.

I'd stick with the standard four-day itinerary if:

❌ This is your first multi-day hike.

❌ You're nervous about hiking long distances with a heavy pack.

❌ You prefer a more relaxed pace.

What I Wish I'd Known Before Walking the Kepler Track

I didn't do heaps of research before my walk on the Kepler Track so found myself a bit surprised throughout. Here are a few things I wish I'd known beforehand:

• There are a number of ways to make your walking distances a bit easier via different parking, shuttle, and water taxi options. I wish I had done my itinerary slightly differently! Keep reading for more itinerary options.
• The kea at Luxmore Hut WILL try to steal anything you pull out, so be careful. I learned this lesson the hard way when the cheeky little guy ambushed me and almost stole my power bank.
• Day two on this track is VERY exposed, even more so than the Routeburn. You're above the ridgeline almost the whole day. I got lucky with phenomenal weather, but I imagine if you get rough weather, this section is going to take a lot more out of you.
• This is a challenging walk. It was my third Great Walk and after doing the Routeburn over just two days, I thought this one would be pretty easy for me. I found it sneaky hard, especially on day two where it felt like it would never end.
• Some huts have the big bunk beds where you sleep directly next to someone. If you want to avoid one of those, try and get to the huts a bit earlier in the day if you can.
• Booking for one person isn't as difficult as I thought it might be. If you're flexible and keep a close eye out for booking cancellations, you might be able to get your preferred hut bookings.

My Experience Walking the Kepler Track Solo

I walked the full Kepler Track by myself without any hiking companions. Here's how I felt walking solo.

Did I Feel Safe?

I did feel safe walking solo. On a popular Great Walk like this, there are always going to be other hikers around, so you're never fully alone.

Before walking, I checked in with the Department of Conservation (DOC) office in Te Anau. There they advised me on the latest trail conditions and were available to answer any questions.

At all the huts during the Great Walks season, there are hut wardens who will talk you through the latest weather conditions too and make sure you're checked in. I've heard if they hear of anyone who didn't make it to the hut who was supposed to stay there, they'll investigate and make sure that person is ok.

Note: It's strongly advised to avoid walking the Kepler Track during the off-season (May 1 through October 26) as there isn't as much support from DOC and hazards like snow, ice, and cold river crossings are present.

Was I Ever Lonely?

I wasn't lonely. I've been pleasantly surprised by how social many of the Great Walks tend to be, so much so that they really remind me of my walks on the Camino de Santiago.

The Kepler is especially popular, so it's easy to meet other hikers, especially once you're at the hut lounging around. I met multiple other women who were hiking solo too.

Planning Your Walk

So are you sold on the Kepler Track yet? I hope so! It's a stunning hike that's absolutely worth it.

As you keep thinking about this walk, here's some information to help you plan.

Best Time of Year to Walk the Kepler Track

The best time of year to walk the Kepler Track is during the Great Walks season from October 27 through April 30. There are more facilities and fewer hazards during that time.

For the best chance of good weather and ridgeline views, I recommend aiming to walk between February and April. Those months tend to have fewer days of rain. Note that April will start to get a bit chillier though.

February looks to be the best month on average with 9 days of rain and a highest temp of 75° F (24°C) and lowest temp of 32° F (0°C).

Outside of the Great Walks season, DOC says:

“It can be cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours. Walking the track should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people with alpine, river crossing and navigation skills. Facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional hazards. Bookings required only for Luxmore Hut. Advanced and expert track categories.”

Staying in Huts vs. Camping

For the Kepler Track, I recommend staying in huts as opposed to camping for a few reasons:

• The campsites are quite far apart. If you camp, you're looking at a second day with 14.2 miles (22.8 kms) over around 8.5-10.5 hours on the most challenging part of the track. I can't imagine doing that with my regular pack let alone with extra camping gear too.
• The kea are particularly racally on the Kepler Track. They've been known to destroy tents at the Iris Burn Campsite.
• The sandflies are horrible at both campsites. I remember struggling with the hoards of them just while taking a quick snack break at Brod Bay or while filtering water outside at Iris Burn.

Which Direction Should You Walk?

You can technically walk the track in either direction. Most hikers walk counterclockwise.

I imagine the hike between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn is easiest in that direction. I felt like that was a pretty tough day to begin with, but it would be a much steeper ascent coming from the other way.

That said, if you're only able to get bookings in a clockwise direction, don't stress. I think the track is worth it and you'll find challenges no matter which direction you go.

How Hard is it to Get a Booking?

As one of the most popular Great Walks, the Kepler Track is more difficult to book. I booked my walk myself five months in advance, and even then hut availability was really limited.

How Much Does Walking the Kepler Track Cost?

For three days on the Kepler Track, you can expect to spend around $84-284 NZD. This includes:

• 2 nights in huts on the track (international adult, high season): $264 NZD
• OR 2 nights in a campsite on the track (international adult, high season): $84 NZD

If you're from New Zealand and walking in the Great Walks season, then it would cost $176 NZD for staying in huts or $56 NZD for camping.

This does not include additional expenses like your gear, food, any transport if needed, or any accommodation before or after your walk.

Track Logistics

Thankfully the Kepler Track is one of the easiest Great Walks when it comes to logistics. Here's what you need to know.

Getting to and From the Track

The Kepler Track is located just outside of Te Anau in the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand. It's about a 2-hour drive from Queenstown, which has the best airport that's closest to the track.

From Te Anau, the Kepler Track is so close that you could technically even walk there! It would add an extra 1.5 hours or so though, so I wouldn't recommend it.

If you have a car, then you can drive out to one of the track parking lots:

• Control Gates (Kepler Car Park) is less than 10 minutes by car from Te Anau. This is where I parked (more on that in my itinerary below).
• Rainbow Reach Car Park is less than 15 minutes by car from Te Anau. In hindsight, I wish I had thought about parking here instead so I didn't have such a long last day.

Alternately, if you don't have a car or want to cut some distance off of your journey, you can organize shuttle or water taxi services to get to and from the trail.

Accommodation Options in Te Anau

📍Budget and Mid-Range Options: Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers has low-cost shared dorm and private rooms. I stay here every time I'm in Te Anau. It's one of the coziest hostels I've been to in New Zealand.

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park & Motels also offers a variety of affordable accommodation options from unpowered tent sites to studio apartments. I stayed here with my dad in a cabin.

📍Luxury Option: Radfords on the Lake is known as one of the nicest hotels in Te Anau. Located right on the lakefront, this hotel with apartment-style rooms is in a prime location in the middle of town.

Purchasing Food and Gear for Your Walk

If you need to purchase any food or gear before you go, there are a number of options in town.

For food, the FreshChoice grocery store has a lot of options. You can find numerous dehydrated backpacker meals there and lots of hiking-friendly foods. I like to get the Pic's peanut butter slugs for easy peanut butter wraps on trail. I'm a big fan of some of the cheese and cracker packs they have too.

You can also find some food and gear at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Center and Outside Sports. Outside Sports also does gear rentals if you are missing something but don't want to buy it.

Kepler Track Packing List

One thing that surprised me about the Kepler Track was just how exposed the second day with most of the day spent walking above the treeline. I was lucky enough to have incredible weather throughout my hike, but you definitely want to make sure you're packing for wind, rain, and colder temperatures even if the forecast looks good.

Here's a high-level packing list for the Kepler Track with links to some of the gear I use myself while hiking the Kepler and other Great Walks:

• Trekking poles–These are SO helpful on the Kepler's steep ascents and descents.
• Sleeping bag or quilt–If you go with a quilt, then I would also bring a sleeping bag liner if you stay in the huts.
• Sleeping pad (if camping)
• Tent (if camping)
• Food for all the days you're walking plus one extra day–Popular dehydrated meal brands in New Zealand are Real Meals, Back Country Cuisine, and Radix.
• Cooking pot and long-handled spork–You will definitely want a long handle to make eating dehydrated meals easier!
• Cooking stove and lighter or matches (if camping; optional for huts)
• First aid kit
• Safety items–make sure you have the 10 essentials
• Headlamp
• Pillow (optional)
• Set of thermal underwear
• Pair of dry socks for sleeping
• Pair of shorts (optional)–These are for the hut if it's warm inside.
• Rain gear
• Warm layers–The down jacket I use looks like it may be discontinued, but this one from REI looks like it might be better anyways.
• Extra pair of shoes for camp/huts
• Earplugs and eye mask (optional)
• Power bank and charging cords (optional)
• Toiletries (don't forget sunscreen and bug spray)

I have a full article diving into more details on packing and choosing your gear, so check that out if you need help there!

My Kepler Track Itinerary (Three Days Solo)

So what exactly is it like walking the Kepler Track over three days? Here's my exact itinerary and experience doing it solo.

Day 1: Control Gates (Kepler Track Car Park) to Luxmore Hut

The first hour-and-a-half or so of this walk from the Control Gates to Brod Bay Shelter and Campsite is fairly flat and relaxed with views of the lake.

After reaching Brod Bay, the trail quickly starts ascending and getting more difficult. I definitely had to take my fair share of breaks on the ascent.

But after a few hours, it absolutely pays off as you hike up above the treeline and are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If you're anything like me, you'll probably stop a bunch of times in this last stretch as you admire the views.

After a total of 5-6 hours you should reach Luxmore Hut. With its views and cheeky kea, this is my absolute favorite hut I've stayed in so far–even after now having done seven of New Zealand's Great Walks!

I love this hut and its views so much I honestly might go back sometime just to stay there even if I don't do the whole walk.

Side Trip to Luxmore Cave

Not far from Luxmore Hut, it's worth taking the short walk over to Luxmore Cave. This walk is about 20 minutes round-trip (not including time spent in the cave).

Now, I'm not really that into caves myself… The thought of small enclosed spaces I can get stuck in just isn't my jam, but it was still cool to see from the cave entrance.

If you're braver than me and decide to go deeper, make sure you let someone at the hut know where you're going. Also be very careful to keep a close eye on your path into the cave so you don't get lost. People have gotten lost in there before and the hut warden has had to help them out.

Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut and Campsite

Day two on the Kepler Track has by far been one of my favorite hiking days in all of New Zealand. Remember those amazing views at Luxmore Hut? Well those continue all throughout the day.

After Luxmore Hut, you hike up even higher. Thankfully though, the ascent is a bit more mellow than day one.

Not too far into the day, you'll reach the base of Mount Luxmore. On a clear day, you'll get stunning 360 views of the surrounding mountains and lakes from the summit. This side trip only adds about 30 minutes round trip and isn't too strenuous of a climb up, so it's totally worth it if the weather is good.

I lucked out with the weather on my whole Kepler hike, so I made the trip up to the summit and spend some time there taking in the views and enjoying a snack break before continuing on.

You'll continue to follow the ridgeline for most of the day with some of the most epic hiking views if you're lucky with weather. These views will absolutely have you stopping to take a million photos, so make sure you have plenty of phone battery.

Along the way, there are two emergency shelters you can pop into for a break: Forest Burn and Hanging Valley. Don't miss the pit toilet at Forest Burn Shelter that can't seem to keep a door on it due to wind and kea activity!

Towards the end of your journey, you'll navigate a fairly steady descent down stairs and switchbacks to Iris Burn Hut and Campsite.

In my opinion, this day was sneaky hard. I remember feeling especially defeated when I reached Hanging Valley Shelter and the sign said I still had two hours to go to Iris Burn Hut. I felt so tired and ready to be done at that point after spending hours hiking the ridgeline in the sun.

By the time I reached Iris Burn Hut, I spent a few hours relaxing and resting up before finally mustering up the energy to go on the side trip.

Side Trip to Iris Burn Waterfall

From Iris Burn Hut, it's about 40 minutes round-trip to these stunning waterfalls. The track is pretty chill to get there–I had zero desire to put my hiking boots back on so even walked it in my Crocs.

Along the way, you'll walk alongside a small river and here you can apparently sometimes see blue duck/whio. According to the hut warden, this path can also be a good place to look for kiwi birds at night!

Apparently the falls are a nice area for swimming, but the sandflies were so atrocious, I hardly spent any time there. They were absolutely devouring me, so I pretty quickly just looked at the falls, snapped a few photos, and walked back to the hut.

Day 3: Iris Burn Hut and Campsite to Control Gates (Kepler Track Car Park)

I knew this third day was going to be particularly long and challenging so I got up at 6 a.m. so I could get out on the trail as early as possible after sunrise.

For a while I walked through the woods without any notable views, but I did quite enjoy seeing a number of robins. I was pleasantly surprised to find some cool mountain valley views here and there throughout this hike, especially around the “big slip,” a massive landslide that happened in 1984 after heavy rain.

Rocky Point Shelter is about halfway to Moturau Hut and the only stopping point until then. Theoretically it's a nice place to stop, but the sandflies were horrendous when I passed through so I just kept on moving.

After about four hours of walking, I arrived at Morurau Hut. Knowing I was only halfway through my journey for the day and already feeling tired, I let myself take about an hour there for lunch so I could rest up for the rest of my walk.

That hut seemed nice with a small little beach alongside the river. Unfortunately though the sandflies were ever-present, so I imagine it's hard to fully enjoy…

The rest of the way feels like a bit of a blur to me. My feet were just starting to feel so sore and tired in my boots after days of walking, and I was ready to just get back to my car and eat some real food.

Much of the rest of the path ran through forest. The last stretch followed the Waiau River back to the Rainbow Reach Car Park and then the Control Gates area where I had parked. One pleasant surprise was seeing on Google Maps that part of The Lord of the Rings was filmed on the Waiau River!

When I later returned to the area on a The Lord of the Rings tour from Queenstown, they brought us just to the other side of the river not far at all from where I had walked on the Kepler Track.

Thankfully the last bit was fairly flat and mellow in terms of terrain, but it still felt never ending to me. But eventually I made it back to my car about nine hours later and had never been happier for a shower and hot restaurant meal!

Other Three-Day Itinerary Options

If you want to walk the Kepler Track in three days but aren't so keen on having that massively long last day like me, I get it. The good news is you have a few options for tweaking this itinerary to make it a little bit easier.

Option 1: Shuttle From Town to the Control Gates and Back From Rainbow Reach

For this first alternate option, instead of driving yourself, you'll take shuttles to and from town, skipping the last 5.9 miles (9.5 km) and shaving off approximately 2.5-3.5 hours for your last day.

• Day 1: Control Gates (Kepler Track Car Park) to Luxmore Hut over 8.6 miles (13.8 km) and for about 5-6 hours (same as my itinerary)
• Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut and Campsite over 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and for about 5-6 hours (same as my itinerary)
• Day 3: Iris Burn Hut and Campsite to Rainbow Reach Car Park over 13.8 miles (22.2 km) and for about 6.5-8 hours

Option 2: Start and End at Rainbow Reach

If you're a completionist like me and don't like the idea of skipping any part of the track, then parking at Rainbow Reach is a good option. This will make for a longer first day, but at least that extra distance will be more evenly spread out between your walking days.

• Day 1: Rainbow Reach Car Park to Luxmore Hut over 14.5 miles (23.3 km) and for about 7.5-9.5 hours
• Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut and Campsite over 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and for about 5-6 hours (same as my itinerary)
• Day 3: Iris Burn Hut and Campsite to Rainbow Reach Car Park over 13.8 miles (22.2 km) and for about 6.5-8 hours

Option 3: Water Taxi to Brod Bay and Shuttle Back From Rainbow Reach

For the easiest possible three-day itinerary on the Kepler Track, take a water taxi from Te Anau to Brod Bay and then a shuttle back to town from Rainbow Reach.

• Day 1: Brod Bay Shelter and Campsite to Luxmore Hut over 5.1 miles (8.2 km) and for about 3.5-4.5 hours
• Day 2: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut and Campsite over 9.1 miles (14.6 km) and for about 5-6 hours (same as my itinerary)
• Day 3: Iris Burn Hut and Campsite to Rainbow Reach Car Park over 13.8 miles (22.2 km) and for about 6.5-8 hours

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid on the Kepler Track

As you plan your walk on the Kepler Track, here are some common mistakes to avoid:

❌ Leaving bookings too late. The earlier you start looking to book the track, the more opportunity you'll have to hopefully snag a cancellation that fits when you can go on the walk.

❌ Assuming you'll get lucky with weather. I had phenomenal weather throughout my hike, but after spending an entire day exposed on the ridgeline, I can only imagine how much harder this section would be in wind, rain, or low visibility. It's so important to be prepared for anything, especially in Fiordland.

❌ Carrying too much. The climb to Luxmore Hut and the long distances between huts mean every extra pound or kilogram feels heavier than you expect. You'll want to keep your pack weight as low as you can while still carrying all the essentials.

❌ Not checking shuttle schedules. Even if you don't plan to use a shuttle, I think it's smart to know the schedules just in case. You might end up like me struggling on the last day and wishing you could adjust your plans at the last minute.

❌ Underestimating the descent. I assumed the hardest part of the track would be climbing up to the ridgeline. Instead, I found the long descent surprisingly tough. By that point my legs were already tired, and constantly controlling my footing downhill took more out of me than I expected.

Is the Kepler Track Worth It?

The Kepler Track is absolutely worth it in my opinion. After hiking seven of New Zealand's Great Walks, it's become one of my favorites.

In particular, the ridgeline section on day two is a hike I'll remember for the rest of my life. The views stretch on for miles in every direction, and I found myself stopping constantly just to take it all in.

That said, I don't think it's the right Great Walk for everyone. If you're looking for the shortest or easiest option, I'd probably point you toward something else. The Kepler is a commitment, with long walking days, a significant climb to Luxmore Hut, and an exposed ridgeline that can be challenging in poor weather.

But if you're reasonably fit, enjoy mountain scenery, and want one of the most rewarding multi-day hikes in New Zealand, I think the Kepler Track absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Kepler vs Routeburn vs Milford: Which Great Walk Should You Choose?

It can be SO hard choosing between these three walks. Out of all seven Great Walks I've done so far, these three are my favorites.

Each has something special and unique to offer, so here I'll break down differences between the tracks to help you decide:

Ultimately for me, this is how I'd rank these three Great Walks, but it was VERY hard for me to decide on this order:

1. Milford
2. Kepler
3. Routeburn

I say go for whichever walk or walks you can get a booking for! You won't be disappointed with any of them!

Would I Walk the Kepler Track Again?

I would absolutely walk the Kepler Track again. It's been one of my favorite Great Walks in New Zealand and for sure one of my favorite hikes of all time.

Even though it's a bit more difficult in three days, I think I'd choose to do it in that timeframe again so I could get back to town and get real food and a real bed sooner… As much as I love multi-day hikes, three days is a real sweet spot for me.

However, I think I would consider parking at Rainbow Reach instead so I could knock out some of the extra distance on the first day instead of saving it all for the end when I'm more tired.

Personally even though I like camping sometimes, I think I would still choose to stay in huts for this one. The campsites are just way too spread out in my opinion, and again, Luxmore Hut is my favorite! There's no way I'd ever walk the Kepler Track again and NOT stay there.

Kepler Track Day Hikes

Don't have time for the full Kepler Track or want to just check out part of it before you decide on walking the whole thing? Here are some popular day hikes:

• Mount Luxmore (15.7 miles/25.3 km out and back from Brod Bay)–For this one, take the water taxi out and back from Brod Bay to make the distance more manageable. It's a more strenuous day hike, but I did meet a number of other folks doing it, and they said it was doable.
• Rainbow Reach Car Park to Control Gates (Kepler Track Car Park) (12 miles/km out and back)–For a more chill hike, you can walk this stretch that largely follows the lovely Waiau River. I wouldn't recommend walking the whole thing out and back, but you can walk as long as you feel like before turning back.

Other Things to Do in Te Anau

Te Anau is the best hub for exploring Fiordland National Park and New Zealand's number one tourist attraction Piopiotahi Milford Sound. If you have time, I highly recommend spending at least a few days in the area before or after your walk on the Kepler.

Here are my favorite activities in Te Anau and the surrounding area that I've done and recommend:

• Milford Sound Tour: No visit to New Zealand is complete without visiting this picturesque fiord full of mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. This is the most popular thing to do in all of New Zealand, so I definitely recommend booking early.
• Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise: If you want to take in more of New Zealand's beautiful Fiordland scenery in luxury, consider booking an overnight cruise to the country's second most popular, but much quieter, fiord. I did this with my dad and it's one of my absolute favorite memories from my time here so far!
• Glowworm Caves Tour: This is one of the best places in New Zealand to see these funky little bioluminescent guys! As part of the experience, you also get a stunning boat ride across Lake Te Anau.
• Bird Sanctuary Visit: It can be easy to miss this small bird sanctuary, but make sure to stop by! It's home to some takahe, one of the rarest birds in the country that was once thought extinct. Plus, this experience is free.
• Other Hikes in the Area: Of course there are loads of lovely hikes aside from the Kepler Track. I enjoyed the Lake Marian Track (moderate) and Gertrude Saddle Route (hard) as day hikes. You're also not too far from the Routeburn Track and Milford Track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions on the Kepler Track.

Book Your Walk on the Kepler Track

Since getting a booking for the Kepler Track can be challenging (but not impossible!), I recommend you start planning your trip as soon as you can.

Start planning your walk on this stunning track with these links:

➡️ Book Your Campsites/Huts on the Great Walk Here

➡️ Book Accommodation for Te Anau Here

➡️ Don't Forget to Book Your Milford Sound Tour Early Here!