Description
Day one: Holdsworth – Totara Flats Hut: 4 hr
From Holdsworth Lodge, cross the bridge and continue up the track in the direction of Donnelly’s Flat. Turn left at the signpost and climb the Gentle Annie track towards Mountain House Shelter.
This track is well graded, and offers several lookout points. The track follows the ridge to the Totara Creek turnoff.
Follow the track along the ridge to a high point, 575m, and continue along the track, heading down towards Totara Creek. Follow the creek on the true left to the swingbridge crossing, then continue down stream on the true right.
At the Waiohine River, cross the bridge and follow the signs to Totara Flats Hut.
Totara Flats has numerous camping sites. Campers who use hut facilities are required to pay one hut ticket.
Totara Flats Hut
Category: Serviced
Facilities: 26 bunk beds, heating, mattresses
Bookings not required - first come, first served
Day two: Totara Flats Hut – Tutuwai Hut: 5 hrs
From the hut the track continues down river across the flats. Before reaching a high bluff, swing away from the river, following the track up a steep short climb onto a high river terrace and continue to the river.
A large slip will be encountered shortly. Either follow the all-weather track over the slip (30 minutes), or travel downstream on the river terrace to Makaka Creek (only possible when the river is low). Cross the Makaka Creek bridge and climb up the bank to the marked junction.
Turn right onto the Cone Saddle track and climb steadily up a spur to the ridge top.
From here the track sidles into Clem Creek and climbs to Cone Saddle.
Descend the track to Cone Hut in the Tauherenikau Valley. Cone hut is a basic hut and does not require hut tickets.
Cone Hut (historic)
Category: Basic/bivvies
Facilities: 6 bunk beds, heating
Bookings not required - first come, first served
From Cone Hut go down river, crossing muddy terraces and grassy flats, to Tutuwai Hut.
Tutuwai Hut
Category: Serviced
Facilities: 20 bunk beds, heating, mattresses
Bookings not required - first come, first served
Day three: Tutuwai Hut – Kaitoke Roadend: 4 hr 30 min
From Tutuwai Hut continue down the true left, crossing grass flats and bush terraces past low wide slips. Climb onto the river terraces, where the track continues downstream to a swingbridge.
Cross the bridge and follow the track. Some side streams must be treated with care in wet weather. After crossing grassy river flats, Smith Creek shelter is reached. The shelter is not suitable for overnight stays.
The track from here follows Smith Creek up-stream to the base of the Puffer Track.
Climb the Puffer Track to a saddle and down to the Kaitoke roadend carpark, located along Kiwi Ranch Road.
Getting there
Start/finish: Holdsworth
Turn off State Highway 2 onto Norfolk Road, 2 km south of Masterton. This is signposted and there is a timber processing plant on the corner. Follow Norfolk Road 15 km to Holdsworth road end.
Daily rail and regular bus services operate between Wellington and Masterton. Taxis, or for large parties prebooked buses, can be hired for travel between Masterton and Holdsworth.
Start/finish: Kaitoke
Turn off State Highway 2 onto Marchant Road (signposted at the western side of the Rimutaka Hill) at the YMCA Camp Kaitoke turnoff. Near the end of Marchant Road, turn right into Kiwi Ranch Road. The carpark is located on the left, approximately 500m along Kiwi Ranch Road.
The only public transport available is by taxi to or from Upper Hutt.
Know before you go
This track has unbridged stream crossings that can become impassable after heavy rain. Please ensure you monitor weather conditions before leaving and do not attempt to cross flooded streams.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Safety
Tararua Forest Park is renowned for its changeable and wild weather, particularly on the open tops. Much of the terrain is rugged, so trampers should travel prepared. Overnight parties should always include experienced trampers.