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Key facts
- Distance
- 4.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Holdsworth area / Tararua Forest Park
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
One of the most popular day trips in the park is the climb to Mountain House Shelter along the easy grade of the Gentle Annie Track.
This DOC directory entry covers Gentle Annie Track in Wellington, within Holdsworth area / Tararua Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 4.5 km one way
- Walking time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr return
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Predator control for part of Tararua Forest Park; First published on 2 May 2026. Last reviewed on 3 June 2026.
Dog access
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The tracks starts from the Donnelly Flat Loop Walk,
The first part of the Gentle Annie Track takes you to the Rocky Lookout for a panoramic view of Mount Holdsworth and the upper Atiwhakatu Valley. Powell and Jumbo huts, the most popular in the park, can be seen from here.
Continue on to reach the junction with the Totara Creek Track (leading to Totara Flats) after 1.5 hours from the Holdsworth carpark.
Twenty minutes later, after crossing the boardwalks through the heathland of Pig Flat, Mountain House Shelter is reached, nestled among silver beech.
Getting there
Turn off SH2 on to Norfolk Road, 2 km south of Masterton. This leads to Mount Holdsworth Road. Holdsworth is 15 km from SH2.
The Gentle Annie Track is the entry/exit track for the Holdsworth - Kaitoke Track.
Know before you go
Pack for bad weather
The Tararua Forest Park is well known for wild, fast-changing and unpredictable weather.
Always check the weather forecast
Pack warm and waterproof clothing, even if the forecast is good.
Carry emergency equipment including a torch, spare food and a communication device.
Day hikes packing list
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
