Kepler Track Day 1: Luxmore Hut

Although I have yet to complete the hike up to the hut, I have spent many days and hours ambling through this track up to Brod Bay. The beginning of the track is flat and to the right, you can see Lake Te Anau and the stoney beach. I'm amazed at how radically different the forest is compared to the beachfront. One second you're shrouded in forest and the next you're exposed and standing on a wind-whipped stoney beach. Further along, you encounter heaps of small waist-high crown ferns as far as the eye can see. Mixed in are beech trees, rimus, and larger palms that blanket the sky. During the winter months, I've been thankful for the canopy coverage from the rain. One time I had to take cover at Dock Bay and happened upon a black Weka which was a pleasant surprise! It's a peaceful feeling as you go along further as the track eventually become surrounded fields of green moss which blanket the forest floor. Tons of hypholoma australianum grow red and orange, some big enough to look like small pancakes sitting on a bed of green fluffy moss. Lots of orange pagoda fungus and coral fungus line the track as well. I even found a rare unidentified Sarcodon species. If your end goal is to reach the hut then so be it, but just meandering around the forest and taking some of the side tracks to just sit and forest bathe in the greenery is meditative af. I'd give this track a high rating given the diversity and change that occurs in such a short distance.

Wow! What an amazing mind battle trail. If you are in the area, you must do this trail. Filled full of up and down hill battles but filled full of incredible views!

Pretty disgusted with the price of the hut fees here. I am hiking all of my equipment needed for a nights sleep (besides a bed) and as a international I am expected to pay $130 dollars each with my partner for one night. $260... I do find this rather on the racist side, kiwis are graced with $60 per night fee, which in my eyes is still eyewatering for what you get. I understand these huts need to be maintained but DOC you are taking the piss mate

Sehr schattig

Quite a boring walk through bush, not much of interactive stuff like bridges etc.

Long walk for not so impressive views. Large part is through the forest. Only the last few kilometers are outside the forest, but the scenery is not great. In conclusion: not worth the effort.

Amazing hike! One of the best I did in NZ! I highly recommend taking the water taxi across the lake to make this more doable. The hike is steep in some parts, but was easier than I expected it to be. I saw lots of keas on the trail! The view from MT. Luxmore is well worth it!

Super belle randonnée! Dénivelation graduelle, donc pas trop difficile. Montée en 3h30 jusqu’à la Luxmore Hut. Apportez-vous de la crème solaire pour le dernier 45 minutes!

Seemed more like a moderate trail vs difficult. Incline is very gradual, last 0.75 miles is a bit steeper but still manageable.

The cave was awesome! Make sure you check it out.

It was easy hike more than I thought but I saw beautiful views. The hut was very clean but only overnight hikers can use any cockers.

Two day, one night tramp. Control gates to Luxmore hut on day 1, 5 hours. Luxmore hut to control gates on day 2, 4 hours. Wide, well formed track with no mud. Fantastic views above the treeline. Did the excellent side track from Luxmore hut to the cave. Lots of sandflies at Brod Bay, not so many on the rest of the track.

excellent views just past the tree line. vertical doesnt feel that challenging over the distance. really enjoyed this hike.

The hike to Luxemore Hut was fantastic as an out-and-back day hike. The trail was firm most of the way with a few light muddy patches, but nothing bad. It was quite windy once we broke tree line but it was still gorgeous despite the heavy cloud cover. All up it took us 7 hours round trip with a 20 minute break at the hut. Definitely worth it!

magnifique randonnée. Je suis parti du parking de Te Anau jusqu'au sommet Luxmore, après la Hut. Redescendu dans la journée ! 8h30 en tout mais c'était vraiment beau !

Day 1 - 8.5 mi from Kepler Track car park to Luxmore hut for the night Day 2 - 3 mi up to Mt Luxmore summit then all the way back to the car park

Hiked from Brod Bay to Luxmore Hut and back. Stopped briefly for pictures and a quick snack. Saw a Kea!. Way up is a rough 1.5 hours

31/10/19- Walked to brod bay campsite and back. Was a great walk through Forrest like terrain with birds chirping and the lake in the background. 11.5km and just under 3 hours return, with a 20 minute picnic at the campsite.

We completed this trail on July 22nd and there was no snow the entire way. Beautiful vistas and a wonderful hut at the end. There was drinkable water and a pit toilet. The trail is very well maintained.

Luxmore hut is amazing.

11 hours return from Te Anau to Luxmore's Summit (1 hour stop). Really beautiful at the top! Long but not difficult, first part of the trail mostly plain (2 hours), then you start going up. Trail in very good conditions.

As a one-day hike, great for those who want to discover the Kepler. 1 hour and a bit to go to brod bay, then with good fitness and good weather the distance to Luxmore hut can be divided by 2. Which makes it more a 2 to 3 hour climb to the hut (I did it in 2). The way up through the bush can be a bit boring but that is what it takes and the vegetation remains interesting. Once at the hut I really recommend keeping climbing up to Mount Luxmore. It is another hour / hour and a half but the 360 degrees view up there is wonderful ! In the end it is a good +-32 km track. If you are scared of the distances don't forget that you can take the boat from Te anau to Brod bay campsite, which will save you around 10 k (but will cost you). Another option is to stay overnight camping at Brod bay (before the start of the track or at the end). In good weather, the place is lovely. You can swim in the lake and watch the sunset/sunrise on Lake Te Anau.