THE MT HOLDSWORTH JUMBO CIRCUIT (EPIC)

If you’re after one of the best multiday hikes near Wellington, the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit should be near the top of your list.

The 22 – 24km hike has three huts along the way making it easy to make the hike work for your schedule (and there’s the infinite side trips/variations of the circuit).

This post will give you the info you need to know about the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Details About The Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit
2. Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Map
3. How To Get There
4. My Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Experience

1. DETAILS ABOUT THE MT HOLDSWORTH JUMBO CIRCUIT

QUICK DETAILS:

• Distance: 22 – 24km
• Elevation Gain: 1550 – 1750 metres
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• GPX File Coming Soon

How hard is the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Loop?

It’s an intermediate level hike. Some will find it easy, others hard. There’s lots of variables, with the two biggest factors being the number of days you’re hiking in and the weather.

What distance is the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit?

The DOC website says it’s 24km, but most people end up getting less than that if they’re tracking it on a device. Plan for 24km,

What is the elevation gain on the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit?

Again, this varies. I get about 1600 metres, but I’ve seen ranges from 1550 – 1750 metres

Here’s the elevation profile:

How long does it take to hike Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit?

You can hike the circuit in a day…it’s shorter than the Routeburn Track, with a similar amount of elevation gain. Most people are going to make this a 2 or 3 day hike.

There are three huts along the way, so you could take it really easy and make it a 4 day trip.

What’s the best direction to hike the circuit?

You can go either way, but most people will prefer going to Atiwhakatu Hut first.

The most technical section is between Atiwhakatu and Jumbo Huts. It’s steep and rooty, technical, so going up this section is much friendlier than going down.

Can you go at any time of year?

Yes, you can in theory, but the weather can vary a lot in the Tararua (there’s a few deaths in the forest park). Make sure you pick a good window. On my previous outing in the Tararua, I met some people who found it too windy to safely get between Jumbo and Powell Huts, so they descend back into the forest. Make good decisions, and take a PLB

2. MT HOLDSWORTH JUMBO CIRCUIT MAP

I’ll update this in the future, VPN issues aren’t making life easy 😀

3. HOW TO GET THERE

The best way to get there is by car. The large carpark above has at least a handful of cars most days, often 20+ on good weather days. There’s no issues with finding a spot to park.

From Wellington, it’s close to 2 hours/110km. From Masterton it’s about 25 minutes/23km.

For shuttles, you could try someone like Masterton Shuttles but that’s going to be expensive unless you’ve got a large group.

Hitchhiking can work as there’s usually a good number of people at the carpark, but you’d want to get to the Norfolk Road turnoff from the highway…but as long as you get there…some patience should work (if the weather is good). Fingers crossed you don’t get stuck there on the way back.

4. MY MT HOLDSWORTH JUMBO EXPERIENCE

I’ve done this circuit in both directions in various conditions, but I’ll give you this in the preferred direction going via Atiwhakatu Hut first.

CARPARK TO ATIWHAKATU HUT (7KM)

After faffing about in the carpark, it’s time to hit the trail…well the gravel road that leads you into the forest in a couple of hundred metres. Entering the forest and crossing the bridge, you’re on the well groomed track to Atiwhakatu Hut.

This first 7km of this hike to Atiwhakatu is on a well maintained track with a gentle gradient. You’ll cross some bridges, and get a few views, but you can consider this the warmup with the trail views and scenes getting better and better.

While you shouldn’t get lost, make sure you aren’t tempted to do any of the trails that veer left mentioning Jumbo. You’ll also see the turn off to Powell Hut a little under 4km into the track.

While you can do them, the classic circuit is done using the climb to Jumbo Hut that starts just after Atiwhakatu Hut.

If you’re staying at Atiwhakatu Hut, enjoy. Have a soak in the stream if the conditions are safe. It’s a great hut, with the picnic bench and decking optimal for chats.

ATIWHAKATU HUT TO JUMBO HUT (2.3KM)

Just near the toilets, the track veers of and starts climbing towards Jumbo Huts straight away. You’ll want to mentally prepare yourself for this, it’s brutal. Especially if you’re not used to steep terrain. It’s about 730 metres of gain in ~2.3km.

The only photo I could find of this section is from a friend going down.

The track is easy to follow with enough people using the track to make that part no worry. It’s just the terrain doesn’t help with all the roots criss crossing over the trail, ready to catch the lazy foot.

Try not to let this beat you up, stay persistent and you’ll chip away. Try and enjoy the goblin forest as you can.

You won’t see the hut in advance as it’s just above the bushline. So once you see some light coming through, you’re almost there!

Enjoy.

JUMBO HUT TO POWELL HUT & MT HOLDSWORTH (6KM)

Leaving Jumbo Hut, it’s another climb for just over a kilometre to the Jumbo summit. There’s the main track here, but last time I did the circuit there was lots of alternative trails that all ended up at the same place. Make sure you are heading in the right direction! This is where you’ll (hopefully) start getting the classic Tararua Range views you’re looking for.

The next couple of kilometres are generally down hill but it’s rolling terrain as you make your way towards Mt Holdsworth along the ridge. Hopefully it’s not windy and you can really enjoy this section.

Then you’ve got the climb to Mount Holdsworth which is a couple of hundred metres of gain, but it’s cruisey compared to the section to Jumbo Hut.

From the summit, you’ve got a 1.5km descent to the summit to the fancy Powell Hut, one of the most popular bookable huts in the country (32 bunks).

POWELL HUT TO CARPARK (7.5KM)

And the final section! You’ve got this! it’s the downhill, and the first sustained downhill you’ll have had on the whole route.

The conditions on this section can vary a lot as it’s so well used. But it’s generally pretty flowy on the descent, although the stairs can be scary.

You’ll then connect back to the track you were on when you were walking to Atiwhakatu Hut. That means you’ve got a tad less than 4km to go which should fly by.

Enjoy a dip in the river at the finish, it’s right by the carpark.

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The Jumbo Holdsworth Cricuit is one of the greats multiday hikes in NZ. If it was a few kilometres longer, it wouldn’t be far off being a candidate for a Great Walk I reckon.

The fact it’s a loop, and there’s lots of variety make it a great multiday hike.

Got any questions or comments about the Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit? Leave a message below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.

Chur.

p.s. Here’s a map of all the hikes documented on Chur New Zealand. You can click the icon to see brief details, as well as a link to read more about the hike (like this post).