Description

After leaving Holdsworth Lodge, and just before you cross the bridge over the Atiwhakatu Stream there is a small track off to the right. It is well-trodden but unmarked. Follow this track along the stream to start with, then as it climbs up to Pinnacle (.877). There are multiple traps along this track which is well defined but not officially marked.

From Pinnacle, there are a couple of cairns which guide you to the continuation of the track to .862, then take care to follow the track to the left from .862 towards .846. From .846 you travel almost due north down the ridge to meet the Barton Track, just before it intersects wit the Baldy Track. The section between .846, .730 and where you join the marked track switches between being very obvious and very tricky to follow. There are old track markers in places.

Once on the Barton Track, turn left and follow it down a short distance to the junction with the Baldy Track, then left again to descend to the swingbridge over the river. The section of track along the river here is relatively rough and rooty. At the first junction, which is signed, turn right and follow the track straight up to Jumbo Hut. This is well marked but there is some tree fall to negotiate. There is a short section of exposed tops as you pop out of the bushline before you reach Jumbo Hut. From Jumbo Hut follow the well marked Raingauge Spur track down to Atiwhakau Hut. This is a steep descent. Then it's a gentle roll out along the Atiwhakatu Track back to the Holdsworth Lodge to finish the loop.

Features of interest

Views of both Powell and Jumbo Hut Swingbridges

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 25%

Technical Single Track: 25%

Moderate Single Track: 20%

Easy Single Track: 30%

Route Data