Kepler Track Day Walk to Mt Luxmore Summit (2026 Guide)

Here’s how to hike the most scenic parts of the Kepler Track on an out-and-back day hike from Te Anau to Mount Luxmore Summit via Luxmore Hut.

The Kepler Track is one of the most incredible of all of New Zealand’s Great Walks. However, if you don’t have the time to complete the whole thing, then the hike up to the Luxmore Hut and a quick summit of Mount Luxmore is a great option.

That said, this hike is fairly long, with more than 1,200 metres of elevation gain in front of you if you choose to hike up to the Mount Luxmore summit. The good news is that the track is not too steep and anyone with a good mindset and good hiking fitness will be able to do this in the Great Walks Season.

Hiking A Part of the Kepler Track in One Day

Route: Control Gates to Mount Luxmore Summit Return
Hike Length/Duration: 37 km return, 8-10 hours
Elevation: 1,250 m (4,101 ft) elevation gain, Mount Luxmore summit: 1,472 m (4,829 ft), the highest point on the Kepler Track
Difficulty: Fairly difficult; long with plenty of elevation gain
Map: My Strava | Download GPX (.gpx 6.0 mb)
Season: Great Walks season runs 27 October 2026 to 30 April 2027
Shorter option: Car park to Luxmore Hut and back, 27.6 km (17.1 mi), skipping the summit

No, I don't recommend hiking the whole 60 km Kepler Track in a single day. However, if you're short on time, then completing this out-and-back day hike will offer you some of the best sections of the Kepler Track.

Highlights include long sections of native beech and podocarp forest, lakeside views, long, rolling tussock plains, views of reflective alpine tarns and of course, 360-degree views of Lake Te Anau, the Te Anau township and the surrounding mountainscape from the Mount Luxmore Peak.

Tussock plains hiking near the luxmore hut on the kepler

Route Information:

This track follows the regular track for completing the Kepler Track in an anticlockwise direction. However, after reaching the Luxmore Summit, you'll instead turn around and follow the track back past the Luxmore Hut and then descend back down to the control gates.

The most scenic section of the Kepler Track is between the Luxmore Hut and the Iris Burn Hut. That means that if you want to take in the best views of Lake Te Anau and the spectacular surrounding alpine vistas, then you'll have to do a multi-day hike.

Note this Kepler Track day hike is long for one day. However, it certainly is possible if you are fit and leave early enough. Outside the Great Walks season (1 May to 26 October), DOC stops managing avalanche and flood hazards, the gas and flush toilets at Luxmore Hut are switched off, and avalanche risk on the tops can hang around into December. If you're planning it then, talk to the DOC staff at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau first.

Tip: If you want to shorten the hike, you can instead begin walking at the Brod Bay campsite by taking a reasonably priced boat from Te Anau. The water taxi costs NZ$30 one way for adults, runs 1 October to 30 April, and leaves the Te Anau lakefront at 8:30am, 9:30am and 10:30am (plus 8am from mid-November). It cuts 5.6 km (3.5 mi) each way off the walk, and boats leave Brod Bay for town at 2:45pm and 4:30pm.

Kepler track day 1 brod bay campsite track

Getting to the Kepler Track Control Gates

The Kepler Track starts at the control gates, which DOC calls the Kepler Track car park, at the southern end of Lake Te Anau about 5 km from town. From Te Anau, drive 2 km along the Manapouri-Te Anau Highway, then turn right onto Golf Course Road for 1.8 km.

There is a large car park here where you can leave your car or camper free of charge. If you don't have your own transport, shuttle buses run daily to the car park during the Great Walks season. Outside the season, book transport before you go, as services may not run every day. Otherwise, the lakefront walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre takes about 50 minutes each way.

My Experience Hiking the Kepler on an Out-And-Back Day Trip

The track begins by following the edge of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island, past the swimming beaches at Dock Bay and Brod Bay.

After a pleasant warm-up, the track begins the winding ascent under the beautiful limestone bluffs before finally breaking out of the bush line and into the tussock plains.

From here, it's a short and flat, 45-minute walk to the Luxmore Hut (1,085 m). This is a good spot to rest and reconsider whether you have enough time to push on for the summit.

From the Luxmore Hut, it's an easy and gradual 1-hour ascent to the Mount Luxmore summit track. There is a signpost at the saddle indicating the way.

Since you've made most of the ascent already, the summit track is very short, approximately 15-20 minutes return back to the saddle.

After taking in the views, prepare your knees to descend the more than 1,200 m back down to the control gates!

Keep your pack close at the hut and on the summit. Kea live up here and will chew unattended boots and bags.

Side-Trip: Luxmore Caves

If you're a fast walker, or if you think that you don't have enough time to summit Mount Luxmore from the hut, then you also have the option of visiting the Luxmore Caves.

This side trip only adds about 20-30 minutes.

Bring two light sources and a warm layer if you plan to go further than the entrance.

This is a large cave system that cuts deep into the tussock plains surrounding the hut. There is a gentle stream that runs through the cave as well as some tight tunnels and cavern openings. Well worth exploring!

Shorter Kepler Track Day Walks

If 37 km is more than you want to bite off, DOC lists four day walks on the Kepler Track. All but one start from the same car park as my route.

Car park to Dock Bay and Brod Bay - 5.6 km (3.5 mi) one way, about 1 hour 30 minutes along the lake shore to two swimming beaches. Take the water taxi back to make it a half day.
Car park to Luxmore Hut - 13.8 km (8.6 mi) one way, 5 to 6 hours. DOC rates it strenuous. It's my route without the summit.
Car park to Rainbow Reach - 9.5 km (5.9 mi) one way, 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes through beech forest. Rainbow Reach is 12 km from Te Anau, so organize a pickup.
Rainbow Reach to Moturau Hut - 6 km (3.7 mi) one way, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, toward Lake Manapouri.

Kepler Track Day Walk: 2026/27 Season Need-to-Know

Season dates - The 2026/27 Great Walks season runs 27 October 2026 to 30 April 2027. Daily shuttles and the Luxmore Hut ranger only run in this window.
Kepler Challenge - The 60 km mountain race and the shorter Luxmore Grunt run on Saturday 5 December 2026. DOC warns the track will be busy, so pick another day if you can.
Avalanche closures - DOC can close the alpine section past Luxmore Hut while avalanche risk lasts, which can be into December. The summit is on that section, so check the Kepler Track alerts the day before.
Kea - These alpine parrots hang around the hut and the tops and will chew unattended boots and packs. Keep your gear on you.

Rules for Camping Near the Luxmore Hut

You can turn this Kepler Track day hike into an overnight trip by either staying at the Luxmore Hut or camping near the Luxmore Hut.

The hut is a 54-bunk Great Walk hut at 1,085 m (3,560 ft). For the 2026/27 Great Walks season (27 October 2026 to 30 April 2027), a bunk costs NZ$88 a night for New Zealand adults and NZ$132 for international adults. Outside the season it drops to NZ$35, but you still need to book, which isn't the case for the other two Kepler huts. It's the most popular hut on the Kepler Track, so book as early as you can.

Update: DOC contacted me about unprepared hikers camping near the Luxmore Hut and damaging the fragile alpine area. Camping isn't allowed within 500 m (1,640 ft) of either side of the Kepler Track or within 100 m of the hut, so read my camping guide linked above before you plan a night up there.

Camping at luxmore hut — Camping spot near the luxmore hut

Kepler Track Day Walk FAQs

How long does the Kepler Track day walk to Luxmore Hut take?

DOC allows 5 to 6 hours each way from the Kepler Track car park to Luxmore Hut (13.8 km). With a light day pack, the full return trip including Mt Luxmore summit took me 8 to 10 hours over 37 km.

Can you hike the whole Kepler Track in one day?

Runners do it every December in the Kepler Challenge, but at 60 km with big climbs, I don't recommend it for hikers. The out-and-back to Mt Luxmore covers the best of the first day.

Do you need to book Luxmore Hut?

Yes, all year. In the 2026/27 Great Walks season a bunk costs NZ$88 for New Zealand adults and NZ$132 for international adults. Day walkers don't need a booking.

How high is Mt Luxmore?

Mt Luxmore is 1,472 m (4,829 ft), the highest point on the Kepler Track. Luxmore Hut sits below it at 1,085 m (3,560 ft).

More New Zealand South Island Travel Guides

I hope that you found this Kepler Track day hike and Mount Luxmore summit guide helpful. If you have any updated information or questions regarding the hike, leave a comment below!

For now, why not check out some of my other free travel and hiking guides below?

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