Holdsworth to Maungahuka Loop

Find yourself a park, lace up your runners and kiss your quads goodbye - its gonna be a big day!

HOLDSWORTH CARPARK to MT HOLDSWORH (9.5km 1150m gain) Starting at the Holdsworth carpark head up the Gentle Annie Track through Mountain House Shelter to Powell Hut 8km. This section of track is very popular, well marked and sign posted. Continue onto Mt. Holdsworth 1.5km note the track becomes exposed tops.

MT HOLDSWORTH to MID WAIOHINE HUT (3.5km 135m gain) From the Mt. Holdsworth trig follow the ridge to the NW towards Isabelle through a short steep saddle. Isabelle down to the bushline is 450m and then down to Mid Waiohine Hut approx. 3.5km. Over 1000m slippery descent, hello quads.

MID WAIOHINE HUT to AOKAPARANGI JUNCTION (3.7km 1000m gain) As you approach the hut the track is to the left (south) side. The track sidles along the river on the true left for 650m before providing a swing bridge to the Main Range side. The climb to Aokaparangi is a goodie... from the bushline to the junction is 550m and track marked with small cairns.

AOKAPORANGI JUNCTION to MAUNGAUHUKA HUT (4.5km 400gain) A straight forward but challenging section through undulating, slippery, tussock covered track with the odd scramble. The track is marked with waratahs. Note* Aokaparangi Hut junction is signposted 150m south from the peak dropping 200m back down into the bushline if shelter is required.

MAUNGAHUKA HUT to NEILL FORKS HUT (4km 150m gain) 200m south of the hut is the signposted junction where you will drop off Maungahuka SE 1km before reaching the bushline and the last of any open tops. Once under the canopy of the goblin forest it's 700m through a shallow saddle to Concertina Knob before a very steep & slippery descent to the hut.

NEILL FORKS HUT to TOTARA FLATS HUT (5.5km 450m gain) The 1.2km track up to Cone Ridge starts steeply before rounding out gradually and arriving at the Cone Ridge track junction. Head NE to Totara Flats Hut taking extra care for the initial 500m following the track. It is intercepted by many game trails and blazers can be hard to locate. You will pass a substantial swing bridge 60m before reaching the hut which is the way out.

TOTARA FLATS HUT to HOLDSWORTH CARPARK (10km 650m gain) Head back to the bridge and follow the well marked track up to the Gentle Annie junction 5.5km before heading East down the Gentle Annie Track, past Rocky Lookout for a dip in the river and well deserved beverage.