Kaituna to Holdsworth LodgeIntermediate
Submitted by Rita Onosa
Back country - remote
Point to Point (one way)
Very hilly
Native bushRiversideOpen farmlands
Intermediate
6:30 (Slow)
5:15 (Moderate)
4:00 (Fast)
-10.8%
+12.3%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
The track starts with about 2km of 4WD tracks through farmland but don't be fooled people it's going to get tough! Be aware of the cows and bulls at the start and along the first couple of km as they roam freely and can look quite scary. :-) Follow the track to the next sign which sends you slight right and here is where you enter the bush and the climb starts. Single track very technical in places, lots of tree roots, rocks and plenty of mud in the winter or after lots of rain. After about 9km you come across the river and over one of the swing bridges you nearly at Mitre Flats Hut. Turn right and 200m up the track is the hut. Nice place for a spot of lunch before heading back the way you came and at the sign take the Atiwhakatu Hut track. 5km but don't be fooled wild thing, the next 5km (according to the signage!) which is more like 6.5km, are the gnarliest yet. It's all up hill very, very technical and feels like it's going on for ever. No running really along this track. I nearly lost my sense of humor climbing up. :-) Across a few more swing bridges, rocky, slippery mud, a few creek crossings you get to Atiwhakatu Hut and can finally relax as from here on it's the most pretty single track and all runnable. 7km to the finish line and your legs will be thanking you for finally running on some undulating nice track with the short sharp bit thrown in every here and there. Go fast and enjoy, you're on the straight home!
Trail Community
Features of interest
Beautiful native bush, a few cool waterfalls along some of the many creeks and about 6 swing bridges.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 75%
Moderate Single Track: 15%
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
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I did it!-
Access
Head west from Masterton central following Upper Plain Rd, take the slight left at the fork and follow Upper Waingawa Rd which will take you to the Waingawa entrance of Tararua Forest Park.
There is parking on the side of the gravel road by the park entrance, which is safe.
17 km
23 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Hard.
The track is very well signposted and has recently been cleared so just follow the orange triangle and you should be sweet.
Non-existent.
Long-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, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Gaiters.
There are lots of creeks along the way with pristine water. Also water available at both huts.
Very technical track for most of the way, steep narrow track only one foot wide in places, rocks and lots of mud in winter.
In parts the track is very very narrow with possible one foot wide areas so be mindful of that. Vet condition can make those parts quite tricky to navigate.
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See other runs nearby:
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Holdsworth to Kaitoke
Jumbo - Holdsworth Circuit
Tramline track
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Powell Hut
Waipoua River & Henley Lake Trail
Atiwhakatu Hut
Pinnacle Ridge Plus
Holdsworth Lodge to Totara Flats Hut and return
Deliverance Cove & Lighthouse Loop
Rewanui Loops
Mt Clyde
Tinui ANZAC Walkway
