Waikato’s best cycle trails for families We worked with our friends at Outdoor Kid to create this guide to get the best out of cycle trails in the for you and your family. waikatonz.com TE AWA RIVER RIDE: Ngāruawāhia to Fonterra

Pedal along wide-open paths through lush countryside and towering pine trees before letting the kids loose to burn off some energy on a purpose-built sprawling bike skills park.

This 10-kilometre section of Te Awa the Ngāruawāhia Golf Club River Ride provides a picturesque into the small river-side training ground for kids with its gentle settlement of Ngāruawāhia gradient, and an opportunity for more to explore the Kingitanga experienced riders to clock-up some Heritage Trail which starts at mileage. The Point. There are car parks at either end of Younger riders might prefer heading this adventure, but a good starting upstream from Horotiu Bridge Road point for families with younger riders and taking their time to read the is beside the Horotiu Bridge Road. It’s information signs, peer under the close to kid-friendly highlights, and covered bridge where schools of little you don’t need to juggle transport at fish gather and taking a quick side-trip either end or bike the entire section to visit Mangaharakeke Pa. twice. This pā was the site of many From here, there’s easy riding north skirmishes, abandonments and Perry Bike Skills Park resettlements throughout history. through rural vistas to the dramatic Along the way, there’s a well-signposted detour which It was one of the largest in the area 130-metre Perry Bridge that spans leads to the Perry Bike Skills Park near the Horotiu and was named after flax which grew the . The vibrant SH1 interchange. Adults will appreciate the coffee abundantly nearby. Secure your bike coloured bridge is near the site of options while kids can freewheel through the dirt at the bike rack while you explore the two flax mills which operated during mountain bike area and along the raised boardwalks. the late nineteenth century. Māori pā. Little kids learning the road code can hang out on the sold flax to the mill where it was This section ends beside the Fonterra paved area with its mini roads and traffic signs. processed to make linen and other Te Rapa Dairy Factory on Meadow products. You can also continue past View Lane.

Grade: Time: Accessibility: Facilities: Gear: This Easy (Grade Ngāruawāhia to Fonterra The wide path is suitable There are toilets, Grab the essentials including 2) trail is mainly Te Rapa allow 45 to 60 min (10 for kids’ bikes, bikes with petrol station, cafe, helmets, water bottles and a flat with some km) one-way. Horotiu Bridge kid-seats or tag-along outdoor exercise windbreaker. Slip, slop, slap gentle climbs, Road to Fonterra Te Rapa allow style attachments and equipment and and cover in summer as except for one 15 to 20 min (2.6 km) one-way. touring bikes, e-bikes and a pump track there is no shade at the steep section if Horotiu Bridge Road to Perry mountain bikes. Ideal for near the Perry pump track. Don’t forget you detour Bridge allow 15 to 20 min (2.6 strolling with buggies too. Bike Skills Park. some loose change to to the bike km) one-way. Add on another 45 Dogs allowed on leads. Toilets available at grab an ice cream for skills park. min for the bike skills park detour. Ngāruawāhia. the family too.

waikatonz.com TE AWA RIVER RIDE: Hamilton City

This urban cycleway explores hidden-gems of a bustling metropolis but feels removed from city-life with its bush shrouded boardwalks, dense stands of native trees and vantage points above the Waikato River.

Stretching between the northern The wide cycling path heads south suburbs of Pūkete and the award- to Hamilton Gardens where you can winning Hamilton Gardens, this section secure your bike before exploring the of Te Awa River Ride stays close to the free themed gardens. Don’t miss taking Waikato River as you pedal through the a selfie with the floating Huddleston city. airship, or being brave and wandering You don’t need to tackle the beneath towering mysterious trons in 11-kilometre section all in one go. the Surrealist Garden. Because there’s so much to do along Follow Cobham Drive into the city the way it might be easier choosing a and cross Victoria Bridge to the Potter few family-friendly starting points and Children’s Garden in Memorial Park. In exploring free-range. summer this playground is teeming with Take in some of the city’s highlights, kids cooling off in the shallow paddling including the Waikato Museum with pools and under the kōwhai seed water its family-friendly interactive displays, fountain. There are plenty of swings and or cafes brimming with tasty treats to slides for all ages. After exhausting the tempt the kids. kids, cycle back to Hamilton East along fern shrouded paths. Grade: Time: Accessibility: Facilities: Gear: From Hamilton East, there’s a leisurely The Easy (Grade Braithwaite The wide path is suitable There are plenty half-day adventure that includes For an extended adventure, park at Grab the essentials 2) path includes Park (Pūkete) to for kids’ bikes, bikes with of toilets, drinking Hamilton Gardens and Parana Ann Street Park where the trail narrows including helmets, boardwalks, small Hamilton Gardens kid-seats or tag-along fountains and cafes Park. This loop is suitable for slightly through Matakanohi Reserve as water bottles and road section and allow 60 min (11 km) style attachments and along the way. young kids as there’s nothing it navigates boardwalks perched high a windbreaker. Slip, concrete paths. one-way. Hamilton touring bikes, e-bikes strenuous here. above the river. The path opens out slop, slap and cover again, and families can ride alongside The trail is mostly East loop allow a and mountain bikes. in summer. each other towards Braithwaite flat with some half-day to see all Ideal for buggies too. Park in Pūkete. gentle climbs. the sights on the Dogs allowed on leads. six-kilometre loop.

waikatonz.com TE AWA RIVER RIDE: Avantidrome to Cambridge Avantidrome There’s plenty to do near the Avantidrome after your Pedal through a swathe of fertile countryside adventures. If you didn’t grab something to eat in beside the Waikato River and discover Cambridge, check out cycling-themed The Bikery Café. remnants of a fortified village which was Strong coffee and plenty of kid-friendly foods, including kiddie-lunchboxes and iceblocks, can be enjoyed surrounded by sprawling kūmara and yam sitting outside in the sunshine. Afterwards, peek inside gardens. the velodrome where you might spot some Olympic hopefuls doing laps. This sedate short cycleway is ideal for creatures including frogs, bats and newly minted riders wanting something native birds. a little more challenging than a bike skills In about 1600 AD, the fertile river park, and for older kids with a need for plains attracted Māori who cultivated speed on concrete paths. 18-hectares of gardens overflowing Gallagher Bike Skills Park From the Avantidrome, the path drops with kūmara, taro and tropical yam near One of the highlights of starting near the Avantidrome is sharply down to lush farmland dotted Arikirua Pa. Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura letting the kids loose on the vast pump track. Older kids can with pūkeko as it makes its way over and Ngāti Hauā iwi occupied the happily freewheel along the smooth concrete loop which small wooden bridges towards the large settlement and remnants of its circles a mix of curved boardwalks winding through native Waikato River. The broad path is ideal defensive fortification ditches can still shrubs, with a picturesque backdrop of farmland. Nearby, for riding alongside little kids still earning be seen. little kids on balance bikes, scooters and pedal bikes can learn their stripes on two-wheels. It’s also very The trail ends in Cambridge by the essential road skills by pottering along the bike skills park with popular with runners, walkers and other Gaslight Theatre on Alpha Street. From its traffic lights, roundabouts and road signs. cyclists, so keep an eye out for other here, pedal into the leafy township to folks. refuel at its plethora of cafes, including A handful of picnic tables provide great the popular Paddock cafe with its perching spots to rest little legs and outdoor seating. Handily, it’s next door Grade: Time: Accessibility: Facilities: Gear: admire ’s longest river to GelatAmore with tasty ice creams This has been From the Avantidrome to The gentle gradient There are toilets, cafe, Grab the essentials as it flows to Port Waikato. On a fine and gelato to give the kids an energy graded as the Gaslight Theatre allow is suitable for kids’ playground, water including helmets, day, there are views to Sanctuary boost to cycle home. Easy (Grade 2) 15 to 30 minutes to cover bikes, bikes with fountain, bike skills water bottles and Mountain Maungatautari. This On the trip back, the path gradually as the trail is the 3.2 kilometres one-way. kid-seats or tag-along park, mountain bike a windbreaker. Slip, ancient forest is home to climbs towards the Avantidrome with a mostly flat with Older kids will tear along style attachments trail, pump track near slop, slap and cover some of the nation’s rarest short gut-busting final push back to the some gentle but if you want to take and touring bikes, the Avantidrome. in summer as there car park and bike skills park. Littlies climbs – except in the sights allow more e-bikes and mountain The only other isn’t much shade will probably need to jump off for one steep time, especially if you have bikes. Ideal for toilet facilities are in on this section of and push for this section. section by the brought a picnic. It’s an strolling with buggies Cambridge township. the trail. Avantidrome. additional one kilometre on too. Dogs allowed on the road to the cafes. leads.

LOCALS’ TIP: There’s a well-hidden mountain bike trail on the southern side of the Avantidrome. Look out for the small sign on the fence MOUNTAIN opposite the toilets. A little dirt loop for young kids is near the top, while a single-trail loop for more confident riders drops BIKE TRAIL through some gnarly berms and plenty of humps and bumps to exit just below the Avantidrome on the Te Awa River Ride.

waikatonz.com WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS: Karapiro Section

This family-friendly section of the trails snakes alongside the Waikato River towards the small hydro township of , with its mammoth suspension bridge dangling over a gorge.

The Karapiro section ‘officially’ begins at the About mid-way along the trail, Pokaiwhenua Bridge car park on Horahora the impressive 500-metre long Road, which is about five kilometres north of Huihuitaha Wetland boardwalk Little Waipā Reserve. The trail follows the road crosses a regenerating wetland. Hard and suits older kids keen to get some miles in graft by volunteers has transformed their legs. However, younger kids might prefer this boggy patch into a refuge for native Waikato River Trails Overview starting at Little Waipā Reserve to store some birds including kōtare/sacred kingfisher and The Waikato River Trails stretches about 105 juice in the tank to tackle the out-and-back pīwakawaka/fantail. kilometres beside the mighty Waikato River from trail to Arapuni Village. There’s a short road section on the quiet Pokaiwhenua Stream north of Arapuni Village, to SH1 The easy grade makes for leisurely pedalling, Powerhouse Road before the trail passes under near Ātiamuri. It is one of 22 national “Great Rides” which also includes the and the which is ideal for families. And, the well-graded towering pines en route to the Village. Peek at Pureora Forest Park. The entire Waikato River Trails is made up of five sections and cycle path has the perfect blend of broad flat through the trees, and you’ll see the impressive will take riders about three days to complete. The most kid-friendly option to explore is the Karapiro sections with a smattering of more challenging but slightly nerve-jangling 54-metre high section which includes the Arapuni Suspension Bridge. steep parts. Kids will probably need to jump off Arapuni Suspension Bridge. their bikes and push on a couple of the short Grab something to munch from the nearby hurty hills (Grade 3). But otherwise, it’s an bustling Rhubarb Café which is normally Grade: Time: Facilities: excellent trail for most abilities. chocka with biking enthusiasts during the The Karapiro section has Little Waipā Reserve There are toilets near the Pokaiwhenua Sandwiched between farmland and the weekends. There is cabinet food, coffee, a been graded as Easy (Grade to Arapuni Village Bridge car park (400-metres down the meandering Waikato River, the trail passes hearty all-day menu and plenty of ice creams 2) and Intermediate (Grade allow 45 to 60 min track), at Little Waipā Domain and Arapuni through patches of native bush and across to keep the troops happy. 3). The trail is mostly flat (6.2 km) one-way. Village. Cellphone coverage along the wetland boardwalks on its way south to If you dare, grab the bikes and stroll across with some gentle climbs, but This includes plenty route is patchy. Don’t rely on being able to Arapuni Village. the wobbly 152-metre long suspension bridge there are a couple of small of stops to clamber make calls from Little Waipā Reserve. There are plenty of picnic tables along the way which dangles over the Waikato River. The hills where you might need to over the sculptures, for refuelling breaks and to let little legs recover bridge gives an impressive bird’s eye view of jump off and push your bike. snack breaks and before jumping on the saddle again. Don’t miss Arapuni Hydro Power Station. snapshots of the river. Accessibility: capturing a selfie at the towering tūī metal Loop down across the lower bridge to Pokaiwhenua Bridge The mountain bike path is a mixture of sculpture. reconnect with Powerhouse Road and the Gear: car park to Arapuni well-graded , boardwalk and short trail which is just up the hill on the left. Then, Village allow 80 min road sections. The gentle gradient is it’s homeward bound along the same route Take plenty of water and (11.5 km) one-way. suitable for kids’ bikes, bikes with kid-seats but this time with idyllic views north along the snacks for everyone and don’t or tag-along style attachments and touring Waikato River. forget the essential helmets. bikes, e-bikes and mountain bikes. Ideal for Throw in a windbreaker or outdoorsy buggies too. No dogs allowed on jacket as a backup even in the Waikato River Trails. summer.

waikatonz.com HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL: Paeroa to

It doesn’t get much more laid-back than this.

This leisurely cycle trail follows the route of a pioneering history. On a fine day, admire former railway along the flat alluvial Hauraki expansive views to the mighty maunga Te Plains. The railway was built when gold fever Aroha ‘Mountain of Love’ which dominates swept through the region, but it also became the bush-clad Range. one of the nations’ earliest tourists routes. Two shelters with toilets provide a shady Trains chugged through the pioneering resting spot for a quick snack and a chance landscape carrying thousands of tourists destined for the spa town of Te Aroha. to shake out the legs. These are near Tirohia Komiti Marae and Mangaiti Hall. Paeroa is the perfect launching pad for this family-friendly adventure but before you On the outskirts of Te Aroha, urban saddle up, grab a selfie beside the iconic backyards replace the rural landscape, and ‘Famous in New Zealand’ L&P bottle. Kiwis you’ll swiftly arrive at the former Te Aroha have been supping this soft drink made from Railway Station for a mandatory group photo. the town’s mineral waters since 1907. Pedal-weary legs will appreciate continuing a The cycle trail starts near the town’s flood little further to the town’s quaint Edwardian gates before loosely following the Waihou Domain. Here the family can soak in soothing River down the . Pedal along silky mineral waters which attracted thousands broad cycleways, short road sections and over of tourists in the late nineteenth and early cattle grids as the trail skirts farms on the twentieth centuries. Wallow in private wooden fringes of the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park. hot tubs at Te Aroha Mineral Spas or splash Dozens of dairy cattle and horses turn a blind about in the heated Swim Zone Te Aroha pools. eye to peppy lycra-clad folk zipping by. Don’t miss the world’s only hot soda water Older kids can dash ahead and burn some geyser which spurts crystal clear water three metres into the air every 40 minutes. It’s rubber on the long straight sections while Grade: Accessibility: Facilities: Gear: younger kids will appreciate being able to ride tucked just behind the mineral spas. The Easiest (Grade 1) gravel The gentle gradient There are toilets and Grab the essentials alongside more experienced adults on the wide The town is dwarfed by its towering namesake trail is mainly wide, flat and is suitable for kids’ shelters at two points including helmets, path. mountain, and its main street is dotted smooth. It does include bikes, bikes with along the trail, and water bottles, with quirky sculptures, great cafes to grab This is not a challenging adventure. bridges, road sections and kid-seats or tag-along shops at either end. snacks and a something to eat, and plenty of second-hand There’s plenty of time to look for cattle grids. style attachments windbreaker. Slip, stores to poke around. rusty railroad spikes beside the and touring bikes, slop, slap and Just five-minutes’ drive out of town is The Old trail, relics of the cycleway’s Time: e-bikes and mountain cover as there is Forge Kitchen which has a hearty menu to bikes. no shade along the Allow two to three hours to refuel everyone after their cycling adventure. trail as yet. Relax on the outdoor seating and soak up the complete the 23-kilometres Local operators can provide transport to rural views. (one-way). either end of the trail if you are not keen to do it twice or wrangle cars at both ends. If there’s still gas in the tank, the Howarth Memorial Wetlands is the perfect spot for some bird-spotting, or stroll to the pretty Be very careful on the handful of road crossings. Tutumangao Falls. Both take one-hour to Most are over cattle tracks, but some cross the busy complete. SH26 between Paeroa and Te Aroha. No dogs IMPORTANT: allowed on the trail. Mobile phone coverage is good.

waikatonz.com waikatonz.com HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL: Te Aroha to

From the picturesque Edwardian spa town of Te Aroha, cycle through a vast estate which bustled with agriculture endeavours in the late 1800s. After passing horse studs, the ’s Firth leased the land in the 1860s. Feed crops tallest waterfall and the intriguing Firth Tower, were sown and a few well-placed dynamite the cycle trail arrives in Matamata – where you sticks in the Waihou River created navigation can be whisked away to the mythical world of for transporting machinery and produce. Josiah Hobbiton™ Movie Set. later purchased the 22,000 hectares - which The starting point for this leisurely trail section also included the future site of Matamata. is the Te Aroha Domain where there’s plenty of Cross the Line as it parking before you clamber into the saddle and cuts a swathe through the landscape before pedal south out of town. disappearing under the Kaimai Range through The wide concrete cycleway is overshadowed a nearly nine-kilometre-long rail tunnel. After the railway bridge, keep an eye out for by the towering bush-clad Kaimai Range which Information: hides relics from the 1880s gold rush days, which plummets 153 metres off the range. On including the Butlers Incline at Waiorongomai windy days the waterfall can be spotted blowing Local operators can provide transport to Valley. This steep engineering feat disappears sideways across the steep escarpment. If you either end of the trail if you are not keen 400 metres into the bush at a staggering have time after your ride, the gorge below the to do it twice or juggle cars. 25-degree-angle. waterfall with its massive boulders and staircases clinging to rock faces is an excellent family- Te Aroha West is just down the road, and the friendly adventure. Grade: Accessibility: Facilities: strong coffee and hearty snacks at The Old Forge The Easiest (Grade 1) fine The gentle gradient is There are three rest areas with toilets at Kitchen shouldn’t be missed. Take a break to explore the Firth Tower Reserve with its impressive 16-metre-high reinforced chip sealed trail is mainly suitable for kids’ bikes, Te Aroha West, Manawarū and Stanley Despite being the Hauraki Rail Trail’s second- concrete tower. The tower was built in the early wide, flat and smooth. It bikes with kid-seats Landing on Tower Road. There are cafes in longest section – behind the 55-kilometre-long 1880s and was the hub of the Matamata Estate. does include footbridges or tag-along style Te Aroha West and Manawarū. Kaiaua to Thames section - the kilometres quickly Its design reflected Josiah Firth’s fascination and a couple of road attachments (including slip by. The flat sealed path is ideal for younger for towers and castles - take a peek inside his crossings. trailers) and touring kids hitching a ride on bike trailers. Gear: sketchbooks at the museum. There is a small bikes, e-bikes and If the troops are fading as you reach the leafy charge to enter the buildings but it is free to mountain bikes. Grab the essentials including village of Manawarū, pop into Café 77 to refuel. roam the grounds. Don’t miss The Jail, Settler’s Time: Dogs allowed helmets, water bottles, snacks The former dairy factory lay desolate for more Cottage and the Gordon School which is often on leads. and a windbreaker. Slip, This 37-kilometre-long than 40 years but has transformed into a open for 1900s school lessons. slop, slap and cover section is ideally suited cheerful café and heritage centre. And if the as there is no shade From here, the path turns towards Matamata and as a one-way trip. It will bike needs some tweaking, they offer an air along the trail. a long straight takes you into the township where take about three compressor and bike tool kit. your outing ends beside the Hobbit-themed to four hours to Look out for Stanley Landing which marks the information centre. Pre-book an evening banquet complete (one- northern fringes of the historic Matamata Estate. tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set and explore the way) at a relaxed Bracken and fern covered this once scrappy famous set by lantern, before enjoying a feast at pace. landscape until entrepreneur and farmer Josiah The Green Dragon Inn.

IMPORTANT: Be careful on the handful of farm and road crossings. Mobile phone coverage is good.

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