Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Atiwhakatu Hut

Masterton, Wellington

Submitted by Gabor Szikszai

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18 ?

Gnarl Factor: 20 ?

14.0km

470m

470m

496m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Run Makeup

85%
15%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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.

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

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

BT

BJ T

has completed Atiwhakatu Hut 6 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Always a treat running along the river in the bush - make sure you have a soak in the river at the end!

Bradley Houghton

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.

Eve Southan

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.

Richele McKenzie

September 14, 2019

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