HomeTrailsGW - 06 Routeburn Track vs GW - 08 Kepler Track

GW - 06 Routeburn Track vs GW - 08 Kepler Track

A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.

Units
GW - 06 Routeburn Track GW - 08 Kepler Track
Distance 20 mi32 km 3.0 mi5 km
Elevation gain 3,780 ft1,152 m 52 ft16 m
Typical duration 2 days 1 day
Difficulty
Route type Point-to-point Point-to-point
Network National National
Country New Zealand New Zealand
Best time to hike Best from January to March Best from January to March
map Route & GPX map Route & GPX

GW - 06 Routeburn Track vs GW - 08 Kepler Track: which should you hike?

At 20 mi32 km, GW - 06 Routeburn Track is the longer route — roughly 17 mi27 km more than GW - 08 Kepler Track (3.0 mi5 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, GW - 08 Kepler Track is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.