Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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Powell Hut

Masterton, Wellington

Submitted by Rita Onosa

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 41 ?

Gnarl Factor: 58 ?

15.0km

1159m

1200m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Out and Back

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Run Makeup

10%
60%
30%

Gravel Road

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +14.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -15.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

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. From here there is a short run to the river, a sturdy wooden bridge, and then turn right and follow the signs for "Powell Hut". About 1.5 km from the car park the Powell Hut and lookout is signposted (7 km.) Head off left up this track.

The route from here up to Mountain Shelter is known as "Gentle Annie",nothing gentle about It! A few minutes up this track there is a small lookout signposted on the left - on a clear day you can get a good view of Mt Holdsworth and Powell Hut (these clear days do not occur very often!). As the climb levels out at around 700 m there is a signpost on the left to an alternative popular tramping track to Totara Flats hut. The track is reasonably flat along the ridge to Mountain Shelter, but being flat it can be boggy in places after wet weather. From Mountain Shelter, Powell Hut is less than 2 km away. The track is well formed in most places, but the ascent is from about 730 metres to over 1200 metres. There are a couple of places where it is necessary to clamber up rocks with careful hand and foot placement. It is in bush most of the way and you should be fine even in bad weather.

Powell Hut is a large and well serviced hut sleeping about 20. There are toilets, cooking facilities, water, and a great view from the balcony over the Wairarapa on a fine day. Enjoy the views, take the compulsory selfie and head back down the way you came! Some awesome downhill running so pick up the speed but watch your feet as the terrain is rather technical and can get slippery after lots of rain.

Beautiful beech forest along the way. Rocky lookout along the Gentle Annie track offers panoramic views of Mount Holdsworth and the upper Atiwhakatu Valley.

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.

21 km

25 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Stick to the well marked trail and follow the track signs

Very patchy.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map

There is water at the hut.

Technical terrain, can get really muddy after a lot of rain. It can be very windy up by the hut but unless you heading over to Mount Holdsworth summit you should be all goods resting at the hut.

Cafe Mirabelle
Main St Carterton
Delicious french cuisine, beautiful pastries and great coffee.

Trail Legend

BT

BJ T

has completed Powell Hut 5 times in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

Fantastic run to get some elevation in the legs, the last 2km are pretty severe, so many steps, around 500m of vert in the top 2kms.
Awesome views from Powell Hut on a clear day, very technical downhill, great fun pushing the pace once past the steps going down, the river back at the carpark is superb for the cool down

Andre Van Barneveld

January 14, 2021

Took this on after some snow fall this week. Was absolutely magical!

Katrina Gurnick

July 11, 2020

Love this run, especially when you get a view at the top!

Richele McKenzie

June 7, 2020

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