Why these two belong together
The Routeburn Track and the Kepler Track share the same staging area (Queenstown and Te Anau), the same DOC hut pricing (NZ$88 resident, NZ$132 international per night), and the same booking window (mid-June for the following summer). Many trampers combine them into a single trip. This article covers both.
Routeburn Track
At a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Mt Aspiring & Fiordland National Parks, South Island |
| Distance | 32 km one-way (shortest Great Walk) |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Highest point | Near Harris Saddle, 1,255 m (side trip to Conical Hill at 1,515 m) |
| Lowest point | Routeburn Shelter, 477 m |
| DOC huts | 3 — Routeburn Flats Hut (685 m), Routeburn Falls Hut (972 m), Lake Mackenzie Hut (892 m) |
| Key features | Southern Alps panorama, Harris Saddle, Hollyford Valley views, beech forest, alpine tussock |
| Season | Late October — late April |
Source: DOC, "Routeburn Track"; Source: Wikipedia, "Routeburn Track"
The route
The Routeburn is a traverse, not a circuit. Eastern end at Routeburn Shelter (via Glenorchy, 70 km from Queenstown). Western end at The Divide on SH94 (Milford Road). The two trailheads are 340 km apart by road (~5 hours driving). Shuttle transport between the ends is essential and must be booked.
Day 1 — Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut (7 km, 2.5 hours). Valley floor walking along the Routeburn River through beech forest. Gentle ascent. The hut sits in an open river flat with mountain views.
Day 2 — Routeburn Flats Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut (11 km, 5-6 hours). The main alpine section. Climb from Routeburn Falls (a short detour to the hut at 972 m is worthwhile) through subalpine scrub to Harris Saddle (1,255 m). Harris Saddle Emergency Shelter sits at the pass. The side trip to Conical Hill (1,515 m) adds 1.5 hours and delivers the best panoramic views on the track — the Hollyford Valley, Darran Mountains, and on clear days, the Tasman Sea. The descent to Lake Mackenzie Hut is steep through alpine grassland.
Day 3 — Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide (14 km, 4-5 hours). Descent through forest to the Howden Hut junction and out to The Divide car park on SH94. Shuttle back to Queenstown or Te Anau.
Recognition
Named one of the world's top eleven trails by National Geographic Adventure in May 2005. [Source: Wikipedia, "Routeburn Track"]
The logistics problem
The 340-km road gap between trailheads means you need a shuttle. Several operators run the Routeburn–Glenorchy–Queenstown and Routeburn–The Divide–Te Anau services. Book in advance during peak season. Without a shuttle booking, you will be stranded at one end.
Walking the Routeburn east-to-west (Routeburn Shelter to The Divide) is more common for independent walkers because the shuttle from The Divide back to Te Anau or Queenstown is more frequent.
Kepler Track
At a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Fiordland National Park, South Island |
| Distance | 60 km circuit |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Difficulty | Medium (exposed alpine ridge section) |
| Highest point | Luxmore Saddle, 1,400 m |
| Lowest point | Lake Manapouri, 178 m |
| DOC huts | 3 — Luxmore Hut (54 bunks), Iris Burn Hut (50 bunks), Moturau Hut (40 bunks) |
| Campsites | Brod Bay (lakeside) |
| Key features | Alpine ridgeline walking, Luxmore Caves, Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, beech forest, wetlands |
| Season | Late October — late April |
Source: DOC, "Kepler Track"; Source: Wikipedia, "Kepler Track"
History
Built in 1988 for New Zealand's National Parks Centennial, specifically to relieve pressure on the Milford and Routeburn tracks. Named after astronomer Johannes Kepler. The track was purpose-designed as a circuit — unlike the Milford and Routeburn, which follow historical routes, the Kepler was engineered from scratch. [Source: Wikipedia, "Kepler Track"]
The route
The Kepler is a circuit starting and ending at the Control Gates trailhead, 4.6 km from Te Anau township. No shuttle needed.
Day 1 — Control Gates to Luxmore Hut (14 km, 5-6 hours). From the lake shore, the track climbs through beech forest to the bushline and Luxmore Hut at 1,085 m. The Luxmore Caves (limestone, glow-worms) are a short detour near the hut. Luxmore Hut is the largest on the track: 54 bunks, gas cooking, warden.
Day 2 — Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut (14.6 km, 5-6 hours). The marquee day. The track traverses the Luxmore Ridge above the bushline at approximately 1,400 m. This is exposed alpine terrain — no shelter from wind, rain, or cloud. Views of Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, and the Fiordland mountains in all directions. The descent from the ridge to Iris Burn Hut drops through forest. Iris Burn Hut: 50 bunks.
Day 3 — Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut (16.2 km, 5-6 hours). Forest and lakeside walking along the Iris Burn river to Lake Manapouri. Moturau Hut sits on the lake shore. 40 bunks.
Day 4 — Moturau Hut to Control Gates (14.6 km, 4-5 hours). Flat lakeside and riverside track back to the start. Easy final day.
The ridge
The Luxmore Ridge section on Day 2 is the Kepler's defining feature and its primary hazard. The ridge is above the treeline and fully exposed. In bad weather — which is frequent in Fiordland — wind, rain, cloud, and even snow can make the ridge impassable. DOC occasionally closes the ridge section when conditions are dangerous.
If the ridge is closed, an alternative route (the Iris Burn Hut track via the valley floor) avoids the alpine section but misses the highlight.
Comparison
| Factor | Routeburn | Kepler |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 32 km | 60 km |
| Days | 2-4 | 3-4 |
| Type | Traverse (shuttle needed) | Circuit (no shuttle) |
| Highest point | 1,255 m (Harris Saddle) | 1,400 m (Luxmore Saddle) |
| Signature feature | Harris Saddle panorama + Conical Hill | Luxmore Ridge traverse |
| Exposure | Moderate (alpine section is shorter) | Significant (full-day ridge) |
| Trailhead access | Glenorchy (45 min from Queenstown) | Te Anau (walkable from town) |
| Shuttle requirement | Yes (340 km road gap) | No (circuit) |
| DOC hut cost (international) | NZ$132/night | NZ$132/night |
| Camping | Permitted at designated sites | Brod Bay campsite |
| Sandfly intensity | Moderate (less coastal) | High (lakeside camps) |
Which to choose
Routeburn if you want the best single-day alpine panorama (Harris Saddle / Conical Hill) in the shortest time commitment. Logistically more complex (shuttle required). The shorter distance makes it accessible to less experienced trampers.
Kepler if you prefer a circuit (no shuttle logistics), enjoy extended ridgeline walking, and want to be based entirely in Te Anau. The longer distance and exposed ridge section demand more fitness and weather tolerance. The circuit design also means you can start the walk from town — no car needed at all.
Both if you have 7+ days and are based in Te Anau/Queenstown. The Kepler departs from and returns to Te Anau. The Routeburn departs from near Queenstown. Doing both in sequence is a natural combination.
Cost (both tracks)
DOC huts (2025/26 pricing, per person, per night)
| NZ Resident | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Routeburn (2 nights standard) | NZ$176 (2 x $88) | NZ$264 (2 x $132) |
| Kepler (3 nights standard) | NZ$264 (3 x $88) | NZ$396 (3 x $132) |
| Both tracks combined | NZ$440 | NZ$660 |
Source: DOC Great Walks Pricing
Add food (self-carried, ~NZ$15-20/day), shuttles for the Routeburn (~NZ$60-80), and gear rental if needed.
Both tracks had prices increased by 5-15% for the 2026/27 season. Source: DOC accommodation price changes
Weather and sandflies
Both tracks are in Fiordland. Rain is expected. See when to trek New Zealand for season details.
The Kepler's lakeside camps (Moturau Hut, Brod Bay) are prime sandfly territory. The Routeburn's alpine sections are less affected, but the valley floor and Lake Mackenzie are sandfly zones.
DEET or picaridin, head nets at dusk, long sleeves at camp.
Getting there
Routeburn: Fly to Queenstown. Drive to Glenorchy (46 km, 45 min), then to Routeburn Shelter (30 min further on gravel road). Western end at The Divide on SH94. Shuttle between ends required.
Kepler: Fly to Queenstown. Drive or bus to Te Anau (170 km, 2 hours). Walk or drive 4.6 km to Control Gates trailhead. Returns to same point.
Details: getting there.
Safety on both tracks
Routeburn — Harris Saddle. The Harris Saddle section is above the treeline and exposed. In poor weather, visibility can drop to near zero. Wind, rain, and occasional snow (even in summer) are possible. DOC may close the saddle section if conditions are dangerous. An emergency shelter at the saddle provides basic cover but is not a hut — no bunks, no heating.
Kepler — Luxmore Ridge. The Luxmore Ridge traverse (Day 2) is the most exposed section on any of the Fiordland Great Walks. The ridge is entirely above the bushline for approximately 8 km. There is no shelter from wind. In strong weather, walkers can be blown off their feet. DOC closes the ridge section when conditions are dangerous, and walkers are rerouted via a lower, forested track. Avalanche risk exists on the ridge outside the summer season.
Both tracks: No cell coverage. PLBs (personal locator beacons) recommended — available for hire from DOC in Te Anau or Queenstown. Hut wardens are on-site during peak season with radio communication. River crossings on the maintained track are bridged. ACC covers emergency treatment for all visitors.
Kepler running record
The Kepler Track is also the course for the annual Kepler Challenge — a 60 km trail running event held each December. The course record is 4 hours 32 minutes. The event regularly attracts 400+ runners and sells out quickly. If your tramping dates overlap with the Kepler Challenge, be aware that the track will be shared with runners for one day.
Combining both tracks
A Routeburn + Kepler combination is the natural multi-walk itinerary for anyone based in the Queenstown/Te Anau region. The recommended sequence:
- Arrive Queenstown, drive to Te Anau (Day 1)
- Kepler Track, starting from Te Anau Control Gates (Days 2-5)
- Rest day in Te Anau (Day 6)
- Drive to Glenorchy, begin Routeburn Track (Day 7)
- Routeburn Track (Days 7-9)
- Shuttle from The Divide back to Queenstown (Day 9)
- Depart (Day 10)
This sequence puts the Kepler first (circuit, no shuttle logistics) and the Routeburn second (shuttle arranged for one direction only). Total DOC hut cost for both tracks (international): NZ$660 for 5 nights.
Add the Milford Track before or after for a three-walk, 14-day Fiordland immersion. Full cost breakdown: budget calculator.