Hooper Loop - Mt HoldsworthBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Rita Onosa
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushRiverside
Beginner - Intermediate
2:30 (Slow)
1:30 (Moderate)
1:00 (Fast)
-12.4%
+11.7%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
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.
Trail Community
Features of interest
The rocky Lookout provides panoramic view of Mount Holdsworth and the upper Atiwhakatu valley. Beautiful silver beech forest track .
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 30%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Easy Single Track: 30%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each

Jumbo - Holdsworth Circuit
Length: 24.00km

Powell Hut
Length: 15.00km

Atiwhakatu Hut
Length: 14.00km

Pinnacle Ridge Plus
Length: 23.20km

Holdsworth Lodge to Totara Flats Hut and return
Length: 22.00km
Photos:
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Access
Start point is at the car park area. From here there is a short walk to the river, a sturdy wooden bridge, and then turn right and follow the signs for Atiwhakatu Hut via Donelly flats.
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
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Staying Safe
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!
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See other runs nearby:
Blue Range Hut
Holdsworth to Kaitoke
Jumbo - Holdsworth Circuit
Tramline track
Powell Hut
Waipoua River & Henley Lake Trail
Kaituna to Holdsworth Lodge
Atiwhakatu Hut
Pinnacle Ridge Plus
Holdsworth Lodge to Totara Flats Hut and return
Deliverance Cove & Lighthouse Loop
Rewanui Loops
Mt Clyde
Tinui ANZAC Walkway