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89-533: The Kepler Track is a 60 km (37 mi) circular hiking track which travels through the landscape of the South Island of New Zealand and is situated near the town of Te Anau . The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park such as rocky mountain ridges, tall mossy forests, lake shores, deep gorges, rare wetlands and rivers. Like the mountains it traverses,

178-505: A punt during daily guided tours. The Te Anau bird sanctuary or Punanga Manu o Te Anau is located on the southern shore of Lake Te Anau. it is possible to see takahē , kākā , Antipodes Island parakeets , blue duck (whio) and other native birds. The Lake2Lake trail is a cycle trail that starts at Te Anau and follows the Waiau river to Lake Manapouri. The trail is 28.5 kilometres long. The RealNZ Fiordland Community Events Centre has

267-402: A 300 square metre climbing wall, bouldering wall, indoor courts for sports such as netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton. It also has a stage and meeting rooms. The Te Anau golf club is located at 169 Golf Course Road and the 18 hole golf course overlooks Lake Te Anau. The mountain bike park has a range of trails. It is located at 2 Sinclair road. The Fiordland community swimming pool

356-734: A blacksmith shop, 60 working tractors, road graders, motor bikes and Te Anau's first school building. The town is often used as a base for trampers undertaking the Milford Track and the Kepler Track , the latter being a 4-day loop from Te Anau. Te Anau hosts the Kepler Challenge in early December each year. A local attraction is the Te Ana-au Caves across Lake Te Anau from the town. The caves include an underground glowworm grotto , which can be viewed from

445-649: A car or bus. While it is possible to complete the Kepler whilst camping this requires a 10-hour hike between Brod Bay and Iris Burn campsites. A much easier option is to stay at Luxmore Hut on the first night, then continue on to Iris Burn campsite for the second night, completing the track to Rainbow Reach on day three. New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's video on the Kepler Track The price and availability of accommodation varies considerably between

534-408: A heavy backpack. Winter hiking requires a higher level of skill and generally more specialized gear than in other seasons (see winter hiking below). Proponents of ultralight backpacking argue that long lists of required items for multi-day hikes increases pack weight, and hence fatigue and the chance of injury. Instead, they recommend reducing pack weight, to make hiking long distances easier. Even

623-490: A high degree of activity, and a rapid increase in elevation. Other threats include attacks by animals (e.g., bears, snakes, and insects or ticks carrying diseases such as Lyme ) or contact with noxious plants that can cause rashes (e.g., poison ivy , poison oak , poison sumac , or stinging nettles ). Lightning is also a threat, especially on high ground. Walkers in high mountains, and during winter in many countries, can encounter hazardous snow and ice conditions, and

712-432: A large and beautiful lake which they named Te Ana Au, meaning cave of rain, and just south of it another lake which Rākaihautū named Roto Ua, the lake where rain is constant. Today we know Roto Ua as Lake Manapouri. The Kepler is situated between the two lakes. Richard Henry , Fiordland's first ranger, lived at the southern end of Lake Te Anau for many years and often explored the Kepler area. Surveyor James McKerrow named

801-563: A large number of hikers are involved. For example, years of gathering wood can strip an alpine area of valuable nutrients, and can cause deforestation; and some species, such as martens or Bighorn Sheep , are very sensitive to the presence of humans, especially around mating season. Generally, protected areas such as parks have regulations in place to protect the environment, so as to minimize such impact. Such regulations include banning wood fires, restricting camping to established campsites, disposing or packing out faecal matter , and imposing

890-458: A lesser extent other Asiatic countries, like Turkey, Israel, and Jordan. In the Alps of Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy walking tours can be made from 'hut-to-hut', using an extensive system of mountain huts . In the late 20th-century, there has been a proliferation of official and unofficial long-distance routes, which mean that hikers now are more likely to refer to using

979-408: A list of " Ten Essentials " equipment for hiking, including a compass, sunglasses, sunscreen, a flashlight , a first aid kit, a fire starter , and a knife. Other groups recommend items such as hat, gloves, insect repellent, and an emergency blanket . A GPS navigation device can also be helpful and route cards may be used as a guide. Trekking poles are also recommended, especially when carrying

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1068-714: A long-distance way (Britain), trail (US), The Grande Randonnée (France), etc., than setting out on a walking tour. Early examples of long-distance paths include the Appalachian Trail in the US and the Pennine Way in Britain. Organized hiking clubs emerged in Europe at approximately the same time as official hiking trails. These clubs established and upheld their own paths during the 19th and 20th centuries, prioritizing

1157-424: A number of private bus operators that connect Te Anau to; Invercargill, Queenstown, smaller nearby towns, and various trailheads or tourist attractions in the area. Timetables are often seasonal with more in summer and less in winter. There are also a large number of buses that travel through Te Anau while going between Queenstown and Milford Sound as a part of one-day package experiences. The Southern Scenic Route ,

1246-436: A population density of 483 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Te Anau had a smaller boundary, covering 5.53 km (2.14 sq mi). Using that boundary, Te Anau had a population of 2,538 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 537 people (26.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 603 people (31.2%) since the 2006 census . There were 987 households, comprising 1,263 males and 1,278 females, giving

1335-436: A population density of 7.3 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Whitestone had a larger boundary, covering 91.17 km (35.20 sq mi). Using that boundary, Whitestone had a population of 618 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 78 people (14.4%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 240 people (63.5%) since the 2006 census . There were 231 households, comprising 315 males and 303 females, giving

1424-549: A quota on the number of hikers. Many hikers espouse the philosophy of Leave No Trace , following strict practices on dealing with food waste , food packaging, and other impacts on the environment. Human feces are often a major source of environmental impact from hiking, and can contaminate the watershed and make other hikers ill. ' Catholes ' dug 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 inches) deep, depending on local soil composition and covered after use, at least 60 m (200 feet) away from water sources and trails, are recommended to reduce

1513-520: A rewarding experience for them, particularly if a route is chosen with their interests in mind. Young children are prone to becoming fatigued more rapidly than adults, requiring fluids and energy-rich foods more frequently, and are also more sensitive to variations in weather and terrain. Hiking routes may be chosen with these factors in mind, and appropriate clothing, equipment and sun-protection need to be available. Natural environments are often fragile and may be accidentally damaged, especially when

1602-450: A sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. The median age was 39.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 441 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 453 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,221 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 423 (16.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 82.9% European/ Pākehā , 8.4% Māori , 1.1% Pasifika , 11.8% Asian , and 3.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas

1691-430: A sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. The median age was 48.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 108 people (17.5%) aged under 15 years, 81 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 309 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 120 (19.4%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 96.1% European/ Pākehā , 10.2% Māori , 1.9% Asian , and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas

1780-411: A variety of factors, including local climate. Day hikers often carry water, food, a map, hat, and rain-proof gear. Hikers have traditionally worn sturdy hiking boots for stability over rough terrain. In recent decades this has become less common as some long-distance hikers have switched to trail running shoes . Boots are still commonly used in mountainous terrain. The Mountaineers club recommends

1869-477: Is Johann Gottfried Seume , who set out on foot from Leipzig to Sicily in 1801, and returned to Leipzig via Paris after nine months. Thomas West , a Scottish priest, popularized the idea of walking for pleasure in his guide to the Lake District of 1778. In the introduction he wrote that he aimed to encourage the taste of visiting the lakes by furnishing the traveller with a Guide; and for that purpose,

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1958-427: Is a 25 metre heated indoor pool. It is located on Howden Street. Fiordland College is a co-educational secondary school for years 7 to 13 with a roll of 282 students as of August 2024. . The college was established in 1976. Te Anau School – Te Kura o Te Anau is a co-educational contributing primary school for years 1 to 6 with a roll of 307 students as of August 2024. . The school first opened in 1937. Te Anau

2047-402: Is a danger for all hikers and especially inexperienced hikers. Weather does not need to be very cold to be dangerous since ordinary rain or mist has a strong cooling effect. In high mountains a further danger is altitude sickness . This typically occurs only above 2,500 metres (8,000 ft), though some are affected at lower altitudes. Risk factors include a prior episode of altitude sickness,

2136-519: Is a marked long-distance trail in southwestern Turkey around part of the coast of ancient Lycia . It is over 500 km (310 mi) in length and stretches from Hisarönü ( Ovacık ), near Fethiye , to Geyikbayırı in Konyaaltı about 20 km (12 mi) from Antalya . It was conceived by Briton Kate Clow, who lives in Turkey. It takes its name from the ancient civilization, which once ruled

2225-730: Is accessed from the Lake Te Anau Control Gates, either by road or a 50-minute walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau, or over the swingbridge across the Waiau River at Rainbow Reach, a ten-minute (12 km or 7.5 mi) drive from Te Anau. Shuttle buses also operate during the summer months to entry and exit points on the track and a scheduled boat service provides access to Brod Bay. This campsite

2314-513: Is also home to the Kepler Challenge , an annual running race that traverses the whole 60 kilometres (37 mi), which the winners complete in less than five hours. Māori legend has it that Rākaihautū , the legendary leader of the Māori migration canoe Uruao , is said to have named the great lakes while exploring the interior of the South Island. During a period of wet weather, his party found

2403-449: Is an historically important early sign of an awakening appreciation of the mountains, though it is chiefly designed to contrast the simple and idyllic life of the inhabitants of the Alps with the corrupt and decadent existence of the dwellers in the plains. Numerous travellers explored Europe on foot in the last third of the 18th century and recorded their experiences. A significant example

2492-433: Is especially hazardous in high mountains, crossing rivers and glaciers, and when there is snow and ice. At times hiking may involve scrambling , as well as the use of ropes, ice axes and crampons and the skill to properly use them. Potential hazards involving physical ailments may include dehydration, frostbite, hypothermia, sunburn, sunstroke, or diarrhea , and such injuries as ankle sprains, or broken bones. Hypothermia

2581-511: Is more straightforward and a crossing can be made, if advanced arrangements are made with Canada Border Services . Within the Schengen Area , which includes most of the E.U. , and associated nations like Switzerland and Norway, there are no impediments to crossing by path, and borders are not always obvious. Hiking in winter offers additional opportunities, challenges and hazards. Crampons may be needed in icy conditions, and an ice ax

2670-498: Is not a hard climb, and is not usually considered part of the Alps. This implicit claim of Petrarch and Burckhardt, that Petrarch was the first to climb a mountain for pleasure since antiquity, was disproven by Lynn Thorndike in 1943. Mount Ventoux was climbed by Jean Buridan , on his way to the papal court in Avignon before the year 1334, "in order to make some meteorological observations". There were ascents accomplished during

2759-536: Is probably Robert Louis Stevenson 's journey through the Cévennes in France with a donkey, recorded in his Travels with a Donkey (1879). Stevenson also published in 1876 his famous essay "Walking Tours". The subgenre of travel writing produced many classics in the subsequent 20th century. An early American example of a book that describes an extended walking tour is naturalist John Muir 's A Thousand Mile Walk to

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2848-696: Is recommended on steep, snow covered paths. Snowshoes and hiking poles , or cross country skis are useful aid for those hiking in deep snow. An example of a close relationship between skiing and hiking is found in Norway, where The Norwegian Trekking Association maintains over 400 huts stretching across thousands of kilometres of trails which hikers can use in the summer and skiers in the winter. For longer routes in snowy conditions, hikers may resort to ski touring , using specialised skis and boots for uphill travel. In winter, factors such as shortened daylight, changeable weather conditions and avalanche risk can raise

2937-470: Is served by Te Anau Airport which is 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the town on State Highway 95. It was proposed in 2016 to develop the airport in order to enable commercial flights in from Christchurch in order to boost tourism. State Highway 94 approaches the town from the east and is the most important corridor connecting Te Anau and its surrounds to the rest of the South Island highway network. SH94 also connects through to Milford sound. There are

3026-565: Is sited in a large tussock clearing 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from Iris Burn waterfall. The Lake Te Anau Control Gates are approximately 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) from the DOC visitors centre in Te Anau . The Kepler Track is located in the south west of the South Island. The nearest townships of Te Anau (4.6 km or 2.9 mi away) and Manapouri have a full range of accommodation and shops catering to all tramping needs. The Kepler Track

3115-514: Is situated on Lake Te Anau and is the first campsite for hikers who started the trek from the control gates. This hut sleeps 54 in bunk style rooms with mattresses and is equipped with stoves and tables inside for cooking as well as an outside deck area. There is a large bunk room and a smaller bunk room that faces Lake Te Anau. Camping is not permitted at this site. The Luxmore Caves , an extensive cave system are located nearby. This hut sleeps 50 in 3 separate bunk rooms with mattresses and provides

3204-634: Is the most popular of the routes and runs from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles on the Spanish side and then another 780 kilometres (480 mi) on to Santiago de Compostela through the major cities of Pamplona , Logroño , Burgos and León . A typical walk on the Camino francés takes at least four weeks, allowing for one or two rest days on the way. Some travel

3293-652: Is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks". In 1916, the National Park Service was created to protect national parks and monuments. In 1921, Benton MacKaye , a forester, conceived the idea of what would become America's first National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian trail (AT). The AT was completed in August 1937, running from Maine to Georgia. The Pacific Crest Trail ("PCT")

3382-726: Is very popular and a permit is required . The longest hiking trail in Chile is the informal 3,000 km (1,850 mi) Greater Patagonia Trail that was created by a non-governmental initiative. In Africa a major trekking destination is Mount Kilimanjaro , a dormant volcano in Tanzania , which is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level and about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) above its plateau base. The equipment required for hiking depends on

3471-521: The Ancient Near East . The path was established in 2007 as a pilgrimage route between Urfa, Turkey , possibly his birthplace, and his final destination of the desert of Negev . National parks are often important hiking destinations, such as National Parks of England and Wales ; of Canada ; of New Zealand , of South Africa , etc. Frequently, nowadays long-distance hikes (walking tours) are undertaken along long-distance paths, including

3560-523: The Camino de Santiago , or Way of St. James, has become more recently the source for a number of long-distance hiking routes. This is a network of pilgrims' ways leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. The French Way

3649-557: The Middle Ages ; Lynn Thorndike mentions that "a book on feeling for nature in Germany in the tenth and eleventh centuries, noted various ascents and descriptions of mountains from that period", and that "in the closing years of his life archbishop Anno II, Archbishop of Cologne (c. 1010 – 1075) climbed his beloved mountain oftener than usual". Other early examples of individuals hiking or climbing mountains for pleasure include

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3738-943: The National Trails in England and Wales, the Kungsleden (Sweden) and the National Trail System in the United States. The Grande Randonnée (France), Grote Routepaden, or Lange-afstand-wandelpaden (The Netherlands), Grande Rota (Portugal), Gran Recorrido (Spain) is a network of long-distance footpaths in Europe, mostly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. There are extensive networks in other European countries of long-distance trails, as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, and to

3827-511: The U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The Sierra Club , which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired others, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large areas of undeveloped countryside. He

3916-535: The right to roam in England and Wales. An early example of an interest in hiking in the United States is Abel Crawford and his son Ethan's clearing of a trail to the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire in 1819. This 8.5-mile path is the oldest continually used hiking trail in the United States. The influence of British and European Romanticism reached North America through the transcendentalist movement , and both Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) and Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) were important influences on

4005-498: The 18th century in Europe, and arose because of changing attitudes to the landscape and nature associated with the Romantic movement . In earlier times walking generally indicated poverty and was also associated with vagrancy. In previous centuries long walks were undertaken as part of religious pilgrimages and this tradition continues throughout the world. The Swiss scientist and poet Albrecht von Haller 's poem Die Alpen (1732)

4094-561: The Camino on bicycle or on horseback. Paths from the cities of Tours , Vézelay , and Le Puy-en-Velay meet at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The French long-distance path GR 65 (of the Grande Randonnée network), is an important variant route of the old Christian pilgrimage way. The Abraham Path is a cultural route believed to have been the path of Islamic , Christian , and Jewish patriarch Abraham 's ancient journey across

4183-465: The Gulf (1916), a posthumously published account of a long botanizing walk, undertaken in 1867. Due to industrialisation in England, people began to migrate to the cities where living standards were often cramped and unsanitary. They would escape the confines of the city by rambling about in the countryside. However, the land in England, particularly around the urban areas of Manchester and Sheffield ,

4272-666: The Kepler track, however, was established in 1988 and opened in February of that year as a Great Walk as part of the Fiordland National Park Centennial celebrations. It was designed to ease the strain on the popular Milford and Routeburn Tracks . The track had a considerable contribution from the International Expedition Operation Raleigh during 1986/87 when expeditions from around the world constructed much of

4361-853: The National Parks Authority (now Department of Conversation) asked all New Zealand National Parks Boards to propose suitable projects to celebrate the Centennial. Project funds would come from the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department. Alf Excell and Les Henderson, two members of the Fiordland National Park Board, came up with the idea of a track they called the “Around the Mountain Walk”. The track would join two existing tracks, going from Te Anau Lake control structure joining with

4450-688: The Place of the Swirling Waters. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland . Te Anau is 155 kilometres north of Invercargill and 171 kilometres to the southwest of Queenstown (via state highway 6 ). Manapouri lies 21 kilometres to the south. Te Anau lies at the southern end of the Milford Road , ( State Highway 94 ) 117 kilometres to the south of Milford Sound . The first Europeans (C.J. Nairn and W.J. Stephen) to visit

4539-639: The Renaissance in Italy (in German in 1860) declared Petrarch "a truly modern man", because of the significance of nature for his "receptive spirit"; even if he did not yet have the skill to describe nature. Petrarch's implication that he was the first to climb mountains for pleasure, and Burckhardt's insistence on Petrarch's sensitivity to nature have been often repeated since. There are also numerous references to Petrarch as an "alpinist", although Mont Ventoux

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4628-496: The Roman Emperor, Hadrian, who ascended Mount Etna during a return trip from Greece in 125 CE. In 1275, Peter III of Aragon claimed to have reached the summit of Pic du Canigou, a 9134-foot mountain located near the southern tip of France. The first ascent of any technical difficulty to be officially verified took place on June 26, 1492, when Antoine de Ville, a chamberlain and military engineer for Charles VIII, King of France,

4717-498: The South Island and within New Zealand second only to Lake Taupō . Rising on the west side of Lake Te Anau, the Kepler and Murchison mountain ranges are evident from most of Te Anau. Many species of bird life are also found locally. The Department of Conservation office in Te Anau is active in protecting endangered native birds The Fiordland vintage machinery museum has, in its collection, displays of Te Anau's early history,

4806-702: The United Kingdom, the word walking is also used, as well as rambling, while walking in mountainous areas is called hillwalking . In Northern England , Including the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales , fell walking describes hill or mountain walks, as fell is the common word for both features there. Hiking sometimes involves bushwhacking and is sometimes referred to as such. This specifically refers to difficult walking through dense forest, undergrowth, or bushes where forward progress requires pushing vegetation aside. In extreme cases of bushwhacking, where

4895-415: The area also partake in activities such as kayaking, cycling, jet boat riding, fishing and hunting, farm tours and seaplane/helicopter sightseeing. In 2014, readers of New Zealand's Wilderness magazine voted Te Anau as the best location in New Zealand for tramping (hiking) opportunities. The town has a wide range of accommodation, with over 4,000 beds available in summer. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in

4984-679: The area. The Great Himalaya Trail is a route across the Himalayas . The original concept of the trail was to establish a single long distance trekking trail from the east end to the west end of Nepal that includes a total of roughly 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi) of path. The proposed trail will link together a range of the less explored tourism destinations of Nepal's mountain region. In Latin America , Peru and Chile are important hiking destinations. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

5073-604: The book was a major success. Another famous early exponent of walking for pleasure was the English poet William Wordsworth . In 1790 he embarked on an extended tour of France, Switzerland, and Germany, a journey subsequently recorded in his long autobiographical poem The Prelude (1850). His famous poem Tintern Abbey was inspired by a visit to the Wye Valley made during a walking tour of Wales in 1798 with his sister Dorothy Wordsworth . Wordsworth's friend Coleridge

5162-896: The development of extended hiking routes. In 1938, the first long-distance hiking trail in Europe, the Hungarian National Blue Trail, was established in the Hungarian wilderness, stretching approximately 62 miles (100 km). In the Middle East, the Jordan Trail is a 650 km (400 miles) long hiking trail in Jordan established in 2015 by the Jordan Trail Association. And Israel has been described as "a trekker's paradise" with over 9,656 km (6,000 miles) of trails. The Lycian Way

5251-672: The distinction of being the oldest hiking club in America. It was founded to protect the trails and mountains in the northeastern United States. Prior to its founding, four other hiking clubs had already been established in America. This included the very short-lived (first) Rocky Mountain Club in 1875, the White Mountain Club of Portland in 1873, the Alpine Club of Williamstown in 1863, and the Exploring Circle, which

5340-521: The field. Situated on Lake Manapouri, this hut sleeps 40 in bunk beds with mattresses. In summer swimming in the lake and outdoor picnic tables are available. Like most of New Zealand's Great Walks, huts must generally be booked through the Department Of Conservation (DOC) New Zealand in advance. Showers and waste collection are not provided. It is recommended to bring bug spray in summer months as sand flies are abundant. Along

5429-467: The hazard level of hiking. [REDACTED]   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Chisholm, Hugh , ed. (1911). " Haller, Albrecht von ". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. Te Anau Te Anau is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. In Māori , Te-Anau means

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5518-418: The highlands of East Africa . Hiking a long-distance trail from end-to-end is also referred to as trekking and as thru-hiking in some places. In North America, multi-day hikes, usually with camping , are referred to as backpacking . The poet Petrarch is frequently mentioned as an early example of someone hiking. Petrarch recounts that on April 26, 1336, with his brother and two servants, he climbed to

5607-526: The lake were led by Māori guides in 1852. The lake was formally surveyed first in 1863. The township was surveyed in 1893. This was soon after the Milford Track opened. The town only really started to grow after the opening of the Homer Tunnel and road route to Milford in 1953. Te Anau covers 6.64 km (2.56 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 3,210 as of June 2024, with

5696-552: The outdoors movement in North America. Thoreau's writing on nature and on walking include the posthumously published "Walking" (1862)". His earlier essay " A Walk to Wachusett " (1842) describes a four-day walking tour Thoreau took with a companion from Concord, Massachusetts to the summit of Mount Wachusett , Princeton, Massachusetts and back. Established in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club has

5785-452: The peak season (summer) and the off-season (winter). Emergency shelters are located at Forrest Burn and Hanging Valley – though overnight stays are expressly forbidden, except in an emergency. The path then follows a long, open ridge toward the Iris Burn and descends via a series of zigzags into a hanging valley. The track descends through forest, and provides a view of a large natural landslide. The Iris Burn Hut (497 m or 1,631 ft)

5874-417: The possibility of avalanches . Year round glaciers are potentially hazardous. Fast flowing water presents another danger and a safe crossing may requires special techniques. In various countries, borders may be poorly marked. In 2009, Iran imprisoned three Americans for hiking across the Iran-Iraq border. It is illegal to cross into the US on the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada. Going south to north it

5963-422: The public's 'right to roam' across some private land, were periodically presented to Parliament from 1884 to 1932 without success. Finally, in 1932, the Rambler's Right Movement organized a mass trespass on Kinder Scout in Derbyshire . Despite attempts on the part of the police to prevent the trespass from going ahead, it was successfully achieved due to massive publicity. However, the Mountain Access Bill that

6052-401: The range after the 17th century German astronomer Johannes Kepler . Early tracks up onto Mt. Luxmore were cut by Jack Beer to provide summer grazing for his sheep. Many tracks in New Zealand have evolved from Māori trails or pioneer exploration routes. The idea for the track was first proposed by Alf Excell and Les Henderson. In 1984 in preparation for the National Parks Centennial in 1988,

6141-634: The risk of bacterial contamination. Fire is a particular source of danger, and an individual hiker can have a large impact on an ecosystem. For example, in 2005, a Czech backpacker accidentally started a fire that burnt 5% of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Because hikers may come into conflict with other users of the land or may harm the natural environment, hiking etiquette has developed. Hiking can be hazardous because of terrain, inclement weather, potential to get lost, or pre-existing medical conditions. The dangerous circumstances hikers can face include specific accidents or physical ailments. It

6230-420: The same amenities as the Luxmore. The hut is situated near a small field where there is a small river. About a 20-minute walk from the hut is the Iris Burn Waterfall where swimming is possible. There are several campsites provided in the shaded area of the trees near the hut and by the stream. It has been advised to not camp in the field as the Keas (alpine parrots) are known to pester tents that are situated in

6319-401: The top of Mont Ventoux (1,912 meters (6,273 ft)), a feat which he undertook for recreation rather than necessity. The exploit is described in a celebrated letter addressed to his friend and confessor, the monk Dionigi di Borgo San Sepolcro , composed some time after the fact. However, some have suggested that Petrarch's climb was fictional. Jakob Burckhardt , in The Civilization of

6408-581: The track is named after Johannes Kepler . The track is one of the New Zealand Great Walks and is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Compared with other tracks in New Zealand, this walking track is constructed to a very high standard. Most streams are bridged, boardwalks cover boggy areas and the very steep sections have steps. It is a moderate walking track that takes three to four days to complete. The Kepler Track

6497-688: The track to the Luxmore Mountain Meadows and skirt northern face of Luxmore and take a zig-zag down to the Iris Burn Valley.  It would then travel down the Iris Burn Valley to Lake Manapouri and join with the track from Shallow Bay to Rainbow Reach Bridge and a new track from the bridge along the western side of the Upper Waiau back to the Te Anau Control Structure. The project was accepted and

6586-478: The trail there are shelters that can be used for day time picnic and rest stop use and a few that are set up to be used in emergencies during the winter months. Hiking In the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom, hiking means walking outdoors on a trail, or off trail, for recreational purposes. A day hike refers to a hike that can be completed in a single day. However, in

6675-676: The use of hiking boots on long-distances hikes is controversial among ultralight hikers, because of their weight. Hiking times can be estimated by Naismith's rule or Tobler's hiking function , while distances can be measured on a map with an opisometer . A pedometer is a device that records the distance walked. The American Hiking Society advises that parents with young children should encourage them to participate in decision-making about route-finding and pace. Alisha McDarris, writing in Popular Science , suggests that, whilst hiking with children poses particular challenges, it can be

6764-467: The vegetation is so dense that human passage is impeded, a machete is used to clear a pathway. The Australian term bushwalking refers to both on and off-trail hiking. Common terms for hiking used by New Zealanders are tramping (particularly for overnight and longer trips), walking or bushwalking. Trekking is the preferred word used to describe multi-day hiking in the mountainous regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal, North America, South America, Iran, and

6853-604: The walkways and the Iris Burn and Mount Luxmore huts. The caves at Mt Luxmore were also mapped and Mount Raleigh was named above the Iris Burn. The track is usually recommended to be walked in this route from the Lake Te Anau Control Gates. It can be walked in either direction. If time is short, the track can be shortened to three days by exiting or entering at the Rainbow Reach swing bridge using

6942-400: The writer has here collected and laid before him, all the select stations and points of view, noticed by those authors who have last made the tour of the lakes, verified by his own repeated observations. To this end he included various 'stations' or viewpoints around the lakes, from which tourists would be encouraged to enjoy the views in terms of their aesthetic qualities. Published in 1778

7031-445: Was $ 33,900, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 249 people (11.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,287 (61.4%) people were employed full-time, 345 (16.5%) were part-time, and 18 (0.9%) were unemployed. Whitestone is a statistical area which surrounds Te Anau and covers 89.94 km (34.73 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 660 as of June 2024, with

7120-550: Was 14.1, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.7% had no religion, 33.5% were Christian , 0.5% were Buddhist and 0.0% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 111 (21.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 90 (17.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $ 43,600, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 132 people (25.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15

7209-467: Was 25.2, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.9% had no religion, 30.6% were Christian , 0.1% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.4% were Hindu , 0.5% were Muslim , 0.7% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 387 (18.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 354 (16.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income

7298-459: Was another keen walker and in the autumn of 1799, he and Wordsworth undertook a three-week tour of the Lake District. John Keats , who belonged to the next generation of Romantic poets began, in June 1818, a walking tour of Scotland, Ireland, and the Lake District with his friend Charles Armitage Brown . More and more people undertook walking tours through the 19th century, of which the most famous

7387-565: Was established by four men from Lynn, Massachusetts in 1850. Although not a hiking club in the same sense as the clubs that would emerge later, the National Park Service recognizes the Exploring Circle as being "the first hiking club in New England." All four of these clubs would disband within a few years of their founding. Despite clubs such as the Appalachian Mountain Club, hiking during the early twentieth century

7476-608: Was first explored in the 1930s by the YMCA hiking groups and was eventually registered as a complete border to border trail from Mexico to Canada. In earlier times people mainly hiked for practical reasons, or on religious pilgrimages . Numerous modern hiking trail follow such ancient routes. The British National Trail the North Downs Way closely follows that of the Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury . The ancient pilgrimage,

7565-428: Was ordered to ascend Mont Aiguille. Because ropes, ladders and iron hooks were used during the ascent, this event is widely recognized as being the birth of mountaineering. Conrad Gessner, a 16th Century physician, botanist and naturalist from Switzerland, is widely recognized as being the first person to hike and climb for sheer pleasure. However, the idea of taking a walk in the countryside only really developed during

7654-835: Was passed in 1939 was opposed by many walkers' organizations, including The Ramblers , who felt that it did not sufficiently protect their rights, and it was eventually repealed. The effort to improve access led after World War II to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 , and in 1951 to the creation of the first national park in the UK, the Peak District National Park . The establishment of this and similar national parks helped to improve access for all outdoors enthusiasts. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 considerably extended

7743-548: Was privately owned and trespass was illegal. Rambling clubs soon sprang up in the north and began politically campaigning for the legal ' right to roam '. One of the first such clubs was 'Sunday Tramps' founded by Leslie White in 1879. The first national grouping, the Federation of Rambling Clubs, was formed in London in 1905 and was heavily patronized by the peerage . Access to Mountains bills , that would have legislated

7832-599: Was still primarily in New England, San Francisco , and the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, there were similar clubs formed in the Midwest and following the Appalachian range. As interest grew hiking culture was spread throughout the nation. The Scottish-born, American naturalist John Muir (1838 –1914), was another important early advocate of the preservation of wilderness in the United States. He petitioned

7921-445: Was that 318 (62.4%) people were employed full-time, and 99 (19.4%) were part-time. Tourism and farming are the predominant economic activities in the area. Lying as it does at the borders of Fiordland National Park , it is the gateway to a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery. Many tourists come to Te Anau to visit the famous nearby fiords Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and Doubtful Sound / Patea . Visitors to

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