Milford Track vs Routeburn vs Kepler: Which Great Walk Should You Choose?
If you're planning your first New Zealand Great Walk, chances are you've narrowed your shortlist to three iconic options: Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Kepler Track.
All three are located in the spectacular lower South Island. All three offer mountain scenery, comfortable huts, and unforgettable experiences. Yet they are surprisingly different walks.
Having walked all three, I can confidently say there is no single "best" Great Walk. The right choice depends on your fitness, budget, expectations, and what kind of wilderness experience you're looking for.
Here's how they compare.
At a Glance
If you're still undecided, here's a deeper look at how Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler compare in the areas that matter most to walkers.
Which Walk Has the Best Scenery?
Milford Track
Milford is often called "the finest walk in the world" and it's easy to see why.
The track passes through enormous glacial valleys, ancient rainforest, dramatic waterfalls, and the famous Mackinnon Pass. The scale of the landscape is what stands out most. Everything feels bigger in Fiordland.
The waterfalls after heavy rain are simply astonishing.
Best for: Walkers seeking a classic wilderness experience.
The view from McKinnon Pass towards Mount Elliot on the Milford Track is extraordinarily beautiful and remains one of my all time favourites.
Routeburn Track
If you're looking for jaw dropping alpine scenery, Routeburn often wins.
You spend more time above the bushline than on Milford, with constant mountain views, alpine basins, and dramatic ridgelines.
It's arguably the most photogenic of the three.
Best for: Mountain lovers and photographers.
Looking across the Routeburn Flats to the Humboldt Mountains in early spring.
Kepler Track
Kepler's highlight is its extraordinary ridgeline section.
The stretch between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn offers panoramic views over Lake Te Anau and Fiordland's mountain ranges. On a clear day, the vistas seem endless.
Unlike Milford and Routeburn, Kepler feels a little more spacious and less rushed.
Best for: Big views without the intense competition for bookings.
Luxmore Hut’s view across Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains ensures it’s popular amongst hikers including overnighters who come up before returning the same way the next morning.
Key Planning Details
Which Track is Hardest?
For most walkers, the ranking looks like this:
Routeburn Track
Milford Track
Kepler Track
Routeburn packs a lot of climbing and descending into a shorter distance.
Milford is longer but the gradients are generally manageable except for the climb over Mackinnon Pass.
Kepler is the longest overall but has the most consistent track surface and tends to feel less demanding day to day.
Picking my way through a narrow rock passage on the Routeburn Track. Some of the most rewarding days in the mountains happen when the weather tests your preparation and resilience.
Which Great Walk is Easiest to Book?
Milford is by far the hardest.
Many popular dates sell out almost immediately after bookings open.
Routeburn is also extremely popular but usually offers slightly more flexibility.
Kepler remains competitive during peak season, yet securing a booking is generally much easier.
The Kepler Track's iconic ridgeline offers some of the most expansive views on any Great Walk, with mountains stretching to the horizon in every direction.
Which Walk Offers the Best Value?
If budget matters, Kepler is often the winner.
Milford requires additional transport logistics including boat and bus transfers.
Routeburn involves transport at both ends of the track.
Kepler starts and finishes near Te Anau, making logistics much simpler and often cheaper.
The Milford Track adventure begins long before the first step, with a scenic boat journey across Lake Te Anau and deep into the heart of Fiordland.
Choose Milford If...
You've dreamed of walking New Zealand's most famous track.
You love waterfalls, rainforest, and huge glacial valleys.
You don't mind more planning and logistics.
You want the classic Fiordland experience.
The dramatic Mackay Falls on the Milford Track are one of many stunning waterfalls. The more rain, the more dramatic the falls!
Choose Routeburn If...
You want the most spectacular alpine scenery.
You enjoy mountain environments.
Photography is a major reason for your trip.
You're happy with a slightly more challenging walk.
The Routeburn’s Lake Harris provides a moody backdrop on a cloudy day
Choose Kepler If...
You want stunning scenery with fewer crowds.
You prefer a loop walk.
Simpler logistics appeal to you.
You want excellent value for money.
Kepler Track has spectacular views without the crowds when compared to Milford and Routeburn
My Verdict
If I could only recommend one walk for a first time Great Walk visitor, I'd suggest the Kepler Track.
That might surprise some people.
Milford has the greatest reputation and Routeburn arguably has the most dramatic alpine scenery. But Kepler combines exceptional views, easier logistics, slightly less competition for bookings, and a wonderfully varied walking experience.
That said, if you've managed to secure a Milford Track booking, grab the opportunity. There's a reason walkers from around the world compete for a place on New Zealand's most famous Great Walk and between you and me, it’s my favourite of the three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Great Walk is best for first timers?
Kepler Track is often the best choice for first timers thanks to its excellent track quality, straightforward logistics, and balanced mix of alpine and forest scenery.
Which Great Walk has the best mountain views?
Routeburn Track takes the crown for alpine scenery, with extensive sections above the bushline and panoramic mountain vistas.
Which Great Walk is hardest to book?
Milford Track is consistently the hardest Great Walk to secure, with peak season dates often selling out quickly after bookings open.
Which Great Walk is the easiest?
While all three require a reasonable level of fitness, Kepler Track is generally considered the most accessible due to its excellent track surface and gradual gradients.
Which Great Walk should photographers choose?
Routeburn Track offers the most consistently dramatic mountain landscapes, while Milford Track excels after rain when countless waterfalls come to life.
New Zealand Great Walks
Have you walked or are you planning to walk any of New Zealands Great Walks? Share in the comment box your experience on the trails or what you’re most looking forward to.
I could hear the waterfall’s roar long before I could see it, hardly surprising given the weather conditions. The heavy rain had soaked me to the skin and waterfalls, too many to count, leapt impatiently off the mountain face. I’d made my way safely past many but ahead was the highest and largest, the formidable Earland Falls.