Kepler Track

Infobox Hiking trail
Name=Kepler Track
Photo=Kepler track alpine ridgeline.jpg
Caption=An alpine section of the Kepler Track
Location=Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand
Designation=New Zealand Great Walk
Length=Unit length|km|60cite book
author = Hosking, Gordon
coauthors = Hosking, Michele; Kamp, Peter; Kamp, John
year = 2002
title = Kiwi Footpaths Track Guide No.2 The Kepler
publisher = Kiwi Footpaths Limited
id = ISBN 0-473-08820-7 ] cite map
publisher = New Zealand Department of Conservation
title = Kepker Track
series = Parkmap
scale = 1 : 60,000
edition = 3rd
year = 2003
cartography = GeoSmart (NZ) Ltd
id = ] cite book
last = DuFresne
first = Jim
title = Tramping in New Zealand
edition = 6th Edition
year = 2006
month = November
publisher = Lonely Planet Publications Ply Ltd
location = Victoria, Australia
isbn = 1740597885
pages = p. 302 ] cite web
url = http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/kepler-track-brochure.pdf
title = Kepler Track
accessdate = 2007-05-18
publisher= New Zealand Department of Conservation
year=2006/2007 ]
Start/End Points=Lake Te Anau control gates, Rainbow Reach, Brod Bay
Use=Hiking
ElevChange=
HighPoint=Luxmore Saddle Unit length|m|1400
LowPoint=Lake Manapouri Unit length|m|180
Difficulty=medium
Season=Summer to Autumn
Months=Late October to mid April
Sights= Ridgetop Alpine views, Lakes
Hazards=Hypothermia, sunburn, high winds

The Kepler Track is a Unit kilometre|60|0 circular tramping track which travels through some of the spectacular scenery on the South Island of New Zealand. The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park ranging from rocky mountain ridges to tall mossy forests, from lake shores to deep gorges. Like the mountains it traverses, the track is named after Johannes Kepler. The track is administered by New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC).

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 in less than five hours.

Tramping

The track is usually recommended to be walked in this route from the Lake Te Anau Control Gates. It can be walked in either direction. If time is short, the track can be shortened to three days by exiting or entering at the Rainbow Reach swing bridge using a car or bus.

The Lake Te Anau Control Gates are approximately Unit kilometre|4.6|1 from the DOC visitors centre in Te Anau. The DOC provides very conservative estimates on the hiking time from point to point on the track, and experienced hikers may cover quoted distances in half of the recommended time.

Location

The Kepler Track is located in the south west of the South Island. The nearest townships of Te Anau (Unit kilometre|4.6|1 away) and Manapouri have a full range of accommodation and shops catering to all tramping needs.

The Kepler Track is accessed from the Lake Te Anau Control Gates, either by road or a 50 minute walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau, or over the swingbridge across the Waiau River at Rainbow Reach, a ten minute (Unit kilometre|12|0) drive from Te Anau.

Shuttle buses also operate during the summer months to entry and exit points on the track and a scheduled boat service provides access to Brod Bay.

History

Many tracks in New Zealand have evolved from Māori trails or pioneer exploration routes. The Kepler track however was established in 1988 and opened in February of that year as a Great Walk as part of the Fiordland National Park Centennial celebrations. Funding came from New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department. It was designed to ease the strain on the popular Milford Track and Routeburn Track.

References

External links

* cite web
url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36660
title=Kepler Track, New Zealand Great Walks, Department of Conservation