Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Hackett to Brook St via Rocks

Nelson, Nelson

Submitted by Dave Hall

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 61 ?

Gnarl Factor: 51 ?

39.0km

1710m

800m

1014m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

20%
50%
30%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.8%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.7%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

8:00

Slow

6:00

Moderate

5:00

Fast

From the Hackett picnic area head across the bridge & up the forestry road. After 1 km, you will cross a swing bridge & then head off on your way up the single track. There are a few places where the river has eaten away at the track so show some caution. At approx. the 4 km mark you will come to a fork in the track, take the left branch towards Browning Hut (the right branch goes to Hackett Hut which is worth a look on another day).

From here you have a few river crossings, on low days you won't get your feet wet, you then head up & over a small hill & then drop down into a small gorge. Be careful here as you have to climb over some large boulders which can be slippery, you then have another river crossing & then head into a climb for a couple of km's before you reach Browning Hut at approx. 8 km.

After Browning Hut you have a very steep climb for 1 km & then a more steady climb through the bush before you come out on the open tops for a few hundred metres. On a clear day you will have a good view back towards Brightwater/Wakefield. You then head back into the bush for quite a few km's. There was quite a bit of windfall here a few years back but DOC have cleared a good path through. As you near Rocks Hut the track tends to be quite middy year-round & a lot of roots so good ankle twisting ground.

It's worth a stop at Rocks as this is a major stopping point on the TA Trail so a good chance to meet some tourists. From Rocks Hut head towards Dun Mountain Saddle, then drop down to the Coppermine Saddle & follow NZ's oldest railway line down to Brook St approx. 18 km away. The decent (as you would imagine being a railway line) is easy going so enjoy the run back to Brook St, Nelson. After approx. 6 km you will pass 3rd House, and then another 4 km or so you reach 4 corners (don't turn left here) & then on down to the Tantragee Saddle & follow the road or Codgers Trail down to Brook St.

The Dun Mountain Trail, NZ's oldest railway line

There is fair amount of parking space at the Hackett picnic area, but as this is not a loop you are better to get dropped here if possible. Although this is quite a busy car park/picnic area it is quite remote & I have often seen cars with broken windows.

29 km

38 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

As per above take a left turn at the fork at 4 km. Also when running thru the bush after the clearing at the top of the large hill after Browning Hut there is one area where the markers are a little hard to spot so keep your eyes open
After leaving Rocks Hut head towards the Dun Saddle, NOT Middy Hut which is the opposite direction.

Very patchy.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

Good water until Browning Hut & then nothing until Rocks Hut, so make sure you fill up in the creek at Browning. You can then get water at Rocks Hut. From Rocks back to Nelson there are generally a couple of creeks across the track year round.

Numerous locations as the finish line is only a km or so from central Nelson City.

Trail Legend

Kate Annan

Kate Annan

has completed Hackett to Brook St via Rocks once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Great adventure run/walk. It is fairly tree rooty and slow going in the middle third but the final downhill on coppermine is easy goingIts worth a short detour to the top of dun mountain also, which makes it about 42km total.

Julia Anderson

December 29, 2019

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