Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Atiwhakatu Hut
Submitted by Gabor Szikszai
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 18
Gnarl Factor: 20
14.0km
470m
470m
496m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Gabor Szikszai
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 18
Gnarl Factor: 20
14.0km
470m
470m
496m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Riverside
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +7.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.1%
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2:00
Slow
1:20
Moderate
1:00
Fast
Track starts at the car park across the swing bridge and through Donnelly's Flat to join the undulating Atiwhakatu track to Atiwhakatu Hut.
Beautiful native bush track with a few stairs and steep but short climbs. Lots of bridges and boardwalks to keep you on your toes. Due to a washout a couple of years ago you have to detour down to the river rocks for a few hundred metres.
Sheltered most of the way so its a dry run in almost any conditions.
The snow settles on the last 2km of the track in winter.
There's a great spot by the Atiwhakatu Hut for a quick drink/splash in the river.
Turn off State Highway 2 on to Norfolk Road, 2 km south of Masterton. This leads to Mount Holdsworth Road. Holdsworth is 15 km from State Highway 2. At the end of Mt Holdsworth Road the entrance to the Tararua National Park has a large carpark with toilets, picnic areas, a hut and nearby caretakers residence
21 km
23 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Due to a washout a couple of years ago you have to detour down to the river rocks for a few hundred metres. Its a well worn detour these days.
Unknown.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.
Lots of the trail is close to the river
A lot of the trail is covered so the conditions are stable all year round.
A bit of snow (15-20cm) has been known to settle on the last couple of kms before the hut.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Atiwhakatu Hut
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Always a treat running along the river in the bush - make sure you have a soak in the river at the end!
January 4, 2022
This is a lovely piece of trail, the track was very runable and it was awesome to be able to see the water as we went along. Will definitely go back and run it again.
January 4, 2021
Really pretty trail with lots of interesting bridges. The dogs give this one a thumbs up too. It's a bit slower than the above times would suggest.
September 14, 2019
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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