Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Powell Hut
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 41
Gnarl Factor: 58
15.0km
1159m
1200m
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Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 41
Gnarl Factor: 58
15.0km
1159m
1200m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Back country - remote
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Gravel Road
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +14.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -15.0%
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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.
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
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Powell Hut
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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
January 14, 2021
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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