The Kepler Track is a 60 km circuit starting and finishing at the Control Gates on the Waiau River, walkable from the Te Anau town centre. Unlike most of New Zealand's Great Walks, it requires no boat transfers and can be started directly from town. The track climbs through beech forest to an exposed alpine ridge with sweeping views over Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, then descends through the Iris Burn valley and returns along the lakeshore.
The circuit is typically done in three or four days using DOC huts. Booking is required from late October to April. The ridge section between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut is exposed and can be dangerous in bad weather — check the forecast before heading up. Outside the booking season (May–October) the track is open for independent use without hut bookings, and is almost empty.