Last Updated: 12th Oct 2023
Hooper Loop - Mt Holdsworth
Submitted by Rita Onosa
Last Updated: 12th Oct 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 19 ?
Gnarl Factor: 47 ?
12.0km
480m
480m
770m
Last Updated: 12th Oct 2023
Submitted by Rita Onosa
Last Updated: 12th Oct 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 19 ?
Gnarl Factor: 47 ?
12.0km
480m
480m
770m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.4%
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2:30
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
Start at the car park on gravel 4WD track until you come to a bridge crossing. Follow the signs to Atiwhakatu Hut via Donelly flats. A nice undulating bush track mostly runnable with some short steep hills and a few stairs. Follow the track for about 3.7km. Take a sharp turn left and follow the very steep track up to Mountain Hut. Although this turn off is well sign posted it'ss easy to miss so keep an eye on your watch.
This track is only 2.5km but it's quite steep and technical with lots of tree roots and uneven surface. It can get really muddy in places after a lot of rain. Once you get to the top follow the Gentle Annie Track which will go past the Rocky Lookout. Follow the track and pick up some speed as it is all down hill from here. This track will take you back to the bridge crossing and on to the car park.
The rocky Lookout provides panoramic view of Mount Holdsworth and the upper Atiwhakatu valley. Beautiful silver beech forest track .
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
26 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Approximately 3.7 Km into the run is the left turn which can be easily missed due to it's sharpness, even though it is signposted.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There are streams on the way if you are brave enough to drink out of them, otherwise carry your own.
The steep climb to wards Mountain Hut is very technical and can get even trickier after a lot of rain. Be prepared to slip and slide!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hooper Loop - Mt Holdsworth
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This one's a whole lot of fun - starts with a short 3km run along the river to get you warmed up, then straight up the side of the mountain to get your glutes and quads burning, followed by a gentle amble along the tops before a very fast descent back to the bottom. The stairs and condition of the track on the way down can make for a bit of a difficult descent at times, so it pays to keep your head up and your stride short so you don't lose control.
February 9, 2022
Stellar trails, walked rather than ran from the atiwhakatu turnoff up to mtn hutt, it's pretty steep & rooty albeit cool bush. Added another 1.5kms past the mountain hut turnoff in the hope of making it to the treeline by sunset but wasn't to be. Fully recommend this one to gain a lot of height in some beautiful surroundings.
May 3, 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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