Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Hobson Hoedown
Great Barrier Island, Auckland
Submitted by Natalie Gallant
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 28 ?
Gnarl Factor: 25 ?
20.0km
910m
910m
627m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Great Barrier Island, Auckland
Submitted by Natalie Gallant
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 28 ?
Gnarl Factor: 25 ?
20.0km
910m
910m
627m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.6%
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4:30
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:30
Fast
Well maintained and well marked DOC trail - hard to wander off the trail! Follow Hot springs track onto Peach Tree Track, onward to Mount Heale Hut and upward to top of Mount Hobson. LOTS of steps to the summit from about 1km after Mount Heale Hut. Return the way you came.
This trail includes the peak Mount Hobson (Gt B Is).
Part of the 25Km Aotea Track loop. Hot springs (I stuck my feet in for a rest on the way back!) A few old Kauri logging relics. Beautiful view from Mt Heale Hut
Parking at trailhead is free. Space for maybe 8 cars. No public transport. Can pay for car transfers but these are very expensive - $80 from Medlands campground to start of the trail... Maybe best to just thumb a lift!
16 km
26 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Patchy.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water Available at the Doc Hut Mount Heale - may need to boil or take water purification tablets
Boardwalks over wet areas so even with a lot of rain this track could still be manageable. Maybe slippy in exposed areas about 2km from Mount Heale Hut
1 x Stream crossing - may swell after rainfall
My Fat Puku
Hector Sanderson Road, Claris
Great Coffee and cake!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hobson Hoedown
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Very nice track, well graded. Lots of stairs but all well maintained. The section up to the mount is steep.
September 5, 2023
Great track, had perfect cloudy weather so not too hot. Would do again.
October 20, 2022
Great track, well described. Those stairs to get you to Mt Hobson, there are a lot. A lot. But well worth the view!
January 8, 2020
Fantastic running and tramping on Great Barrier Island - we had 2 days staying up at Mt Heale Hut and had a blast running around the area. This track as described would be one of the best!
January 6, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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