Waikato River Trails
Waikato River Trails
4.5
About
The 105km Waikato River Trails opens up beautiful land in the Southern Waikato region to the public. You can choose to cycle or walk just a part of the trail, or challenge yourself and experience the entire length, starting from the Atiamuri Village start point in the South through to the Pokaiwhenua Bridge Carpark in the north.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
23
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Scott G
Washington DC, DC402 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Great views of the river -- a lovely spot with nice walk. There is a small falls; the river was powerful (at least at this time of year).
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonas
Auckland, New Zealand34 contributions
Jan 2021
It was our first time to try Grade 3 cycle trail. It took us 3.5hr to complete the last segment from Atiamuri to Whakamaru.
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom Q
Auckland, New Zealand381 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
A quick visit with a group of school students, cleaning up the parks. We cleaned up a lot of fallen leaves to make the park cleaner. But the toilet door is damaged and we cannot repair it.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey Anne
West Coast Region, New Zealand54 contributions
Feb 2020
We went up here from the South Island NZ, with plans to ride the entire trail. However, when we arrived a large portion in the middle was closed and sounds like it may remain closed due to vandalism on this private land section. we rode some pieces but couldn't really find where the track hooked up to the other sections, as signage was scattered and not very outstanding. The map is hard to follow and doesn't even look to scale?! We didn't ride the parts of the trail which included the main Highway, as it doesn't appeal to us to ride mountbikes aling a narrow busy road with large fast moving trucks passing quite close. The pieces we did ride were fun and the track is smooth and very do-able. WOuld be perfect if it was all off-road and linked up at each section, with a more accurate and informative map and details :)
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maxiesmart
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand125 contributions
Jan 2019
This is an iconic trail which has gradually been built in sections over the years. Much hard work has gone into its formation. You can cycle, walk or in some cases crawl. Beautiful river and bush scenery. Make sure you carry a pack, water ang good walking shoes. Cyclists make sure you "gear up" You will never be disappointed.
Written 4 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky G
Auckland, New Zealand77 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
A great Bike trail which can be done in one go or as sections. Over the past year we have biked this trail in sections and they vary quite a lot. The website gives good info or the AA Traveller Cycle trail guide. I am fit mid 50s cyclist and to give you an idea...
Pokaiwhenua Bridge to Arapuni is the easiest. Park at Arapuni and cycle to there return. Rhubarb cafe is awesome. The bit from Little Waipa Reserve to the Bridge is a trail by the road and not that scenic and I'd give it a miss next time.
Arapuni to Jones Landing use the road. The track was a nightmare, very steep and rutty and not a "trail" in my opinion. Suitable for experienced technical mountain bikers.
We rode Mangakino to Arapuni in one long day. Used Mangakino Shuttles parking at Arapuni and biking back. Mangakino to Waipapa Dam lovely, a few good hills and a nice trail surface (small amount of trail near end by the road)
Waipapa Dam to Arapuni was testing, firstly the 9 flights of steps just out of Waipapa, lots of steady hills and then the continuous switchbacks uphill at Waotu Road end. Stunning view at the top, Mangawera Swing Bridge was impressive also. Road section was quiet country roads. The last section was mostly down hill.
The last two sections we road from Whakamaru return. The ride to Mangakino was another easier ride by WRT standards.
The ride to Atiamuri return from Whakamaru was nice but the trail surface variable. If you don't mind paying for a shuttle Atiamuri to Mangakino is another lovely day ride.
This is a very scenic trail, with lots of river views and beautiful Waikato scenery, but parts are quite remote. Lots of spots to take photos and enjoy.
Pokaiwhenua Bridge to Arapuni is the easiest. Park at Arapuni and cycle to there return. Rhubarb cafe is awesome. The bit from Little Waipa Reserve to the Bridge is a trail by the road and not that scenic and I'd give it a miss next time.
Arapuni to Jones Landing use the road. The track was a nightmare, very steep and rutty and not a "trail" in my opinion. Suitable for experienced technical mountain bikers.
We rode Mangakino to Arapuni in one long day. Used Mangakino Shuttles parking at Arapuni and biking back. Mangakino to Waipapa Dam lovely, a few good hills and a nice trail surface (small amount of trail near end by the road)
Waipapa Dam to Arapuni was testing, firstly the 9 flights of steps just out of Waipapa, lots of steady hills and then the continuous switchbacks uphill at Waotu Road end. Stunning view at the top, Mangawera Swing Bridge was impressive also. Road section was quiet country roads. The last section was mostly down hill.
The last two sections we road from Whakamaru return. The ride to Mangakino was another easier ride by WRT standards.
The ride to Atiamuri return from Whakamaru was nice but the trail surface variable. If you don't mind paying for a shuttle Atiamuri to Mangakino is another lovely day ride.
This is a very scenic trail, with lots of river views and beautiful Waikato scenery, but parts are quite remote. Lots of spots to take photos and enjoy.
Written 3 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kayeann2018
Putaruru, New Zealand7 contributions
Aug 2018
hey a great place not to be missed. this trail is assessible interesting and you can either zoom through it or take tour time. photos to keep and everybody should have a crack at it.
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marni B
Putaruru, New Zealand11 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
They need to make CLEAR maps for all the cycle trails in NZ remember many users are from other countries or towns.
Some of the path's are very ruff but you have zero idea of this till your well on the way.
A description of the trails width, grade, and condition for each trail would be better. For what I pay in rates for the waikato river trails I feel the money was not well spent, especially when you see some of the others in NZ Napier for one
Some of the path's are very ruff but you have zero idea of this till your well on the way.
A description of the trails width, grade, and condition for each trail would be better. For what I pay in rates for the waikato river trails I feel the money was not well spent, especially when you see some of the others in NZ Napier for one
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn M
Canterbury, UK5 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We planned to walk the length of the river trails over 7 days. We researched heavily before leaving but could only find limited information compared to that of which we got from word of mouth once here in nz. We discovered that despite the trails being advertised for multi day walking, you cannot freedom camp anywhere along the trails and there is nowhere to get fresh water (excluding where there are towns). The whole of the arapuni to mangakino section is uncampable and therefore unwalkable as you cannot walk the whole section in one day. Despite the walks being beautiful and fairly well kept, they are not viably set up for walkers despite the advertisement implying this. However we would recommend visiting the whakamaru reserve as it is stunning!
Written 14 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samzi9
Hamilton, New Zealand105 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Love the Waikato River Trails.. perfect to bike, run or walk along and get to see new scenery. Did the Ngaurawahia bridge yesterday which is awesome! Luckily only live a few minutes away from local ones too
Written 6 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingWAIKATO RIVER TRAILS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Waikato River Trails
- Hotels near Waikato River Trails:
- (0.27 km) Putaruru Hotel
- (0.55 km) Kea Motel & Holiday Park
- (0.70 km) Putaruru Arms Motor Inn
- (8.07 km) Rose Lodge
- (13.94 km) Arapuni Backpackers
- Restaurants near Waikato River Trails:
- (0.16 km) The Cow Cafe
- (0.14 km) Post Seafood and Grill Cafe
- (0.20 km) Canton Takaways
- (0.22 km) Putaruru Bakehouse & Cafe
- (0.23 km) Bev's Delight