Kaituna to Holdsworth Lodge

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!