Hiking the Kepler Track
The Kepler Track has been on my list for awhile, and last month I finally got to explore it. It was every bit as beautiful as promised and I loved the three days I spent on the track. The views blew me away and you really feel like you're walking on top of the world as you walk the ridgeline.
The Kepler is a 60k hike, although we cut the start and end out by catching a water-taxi to Broad Bay, and finished the hike at Rainbow Reach car park.
Day One: Broad Bay to Luxmore Hut
We took a water taxi from Te Anau across to Broad Bay to start the hike. Day one was very much an uphill climb. The bush was beautiful to walk through, but the views once we cleared the tree-line were stunning.
I think Luxmore Hut has the best views for a hut that I've come across yet.
Day Two: Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut
We started out relatively early, heading back uphill. All morning it was looking like it could rain any moment and I was wondering if we'd have much of a view of the ridgeline, but it cleared just in time. The grey sky in the morning contrasted with the golden-greens of the earth in such a dramatic way - the light was beautiful.
In the end it all cleared up as we crossed the ridgeline and we were treated to some epic views! It was just amazing.
Day Three: Iris Burn Hut to Rainbow Reach car park
Day three was an early start. As we were skipping the last hut (Moturau Hut), we had a long day ahead of 22km and needed to be on time to meet the shuttle. We didn't want to rush anything so headed out before dawn with our headlamps on. We were treated to a kiwi on the track for our efforts, before he scampered off into the bush. We also had some friendly kea leading us along the path for about a minute. I think this early morning hike might just have been one of my favourite parts of the trip!
2 comments
Finally a chance to see the photos from the trail! Wow, what can I say, it’s nothing short of spectacular. The landscape, the colours and the drama of light. You guys timed it perfectly.
Epic trip… what an adventure!