WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS KKARAPIROARAPIRO AATIAMURITIAMURI

11-4-4 DAYSDAYS 1103km03km

Horahora Road © River Trails BELOW: , WAIKATO © Tourism Waikato Trail Info RIVER Trails

1-4 Days The experience brings the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful 103km hospitality of ’s farming your senses to life as you connect with and forestry heartland – previously nature at its best. inaccessible land far away from the

hustle and bustle of the city. TRAIL GRADES: his cycle trail follows New historic landmarks and intriguing The Waikato River Trails was created (ARAPUNI TO Zealand’s longest river, the volcanic rock formations. Highlights POKAIWHENUA BRIDGE CAR through a partnership between the mighty Waikato. It offers include towering dams, suspension PARK) - GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO Waikato River Trails Trust, Principal INTERMEDIATE) Ta multi-purpose walking and cycling bridges, long meandering boardwalks Sponsor South Council, ARAPUNI (ARAPUNI TO WAIPAPA experience, where around every corner and expansive lake and river views. Major Sponsor Mighty River Power, DAM) - GRADE 4-5 (ADVANCED) there is a new vista. Stories of the region’s rich history are Waikato Regional Council, WAIPAPA (WAIPAPA DAM TO LAKEFRONT) Riders will experience the beauty of signposted as your journey winds along Council and the GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) native and exotic forest, wetlands, the river. Riding the trail also offers project. MARAETAI (MANGAKINO LAKEFRONT TO WHAKAMARU LOOK OUT FOR... DAM) - GRADE 2 (EASY) WHAKAMARU DAM TO ATIAMURI - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Sometimes trail sections are closed due to logging operations. Check www.waikatorivertrails.com before starting out and respect closures and signage. Dogs are prohibited on Swing Bridges many sections of the trail. MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: A trail highlight is the variety of bridges Outside the small towns of Arapuni, – although the 152m-long Arapuni Swing Bridge and the Mangawera and Mangakino and Whakamaru, there Mangakino suspension bridges may be is little to no mobile phone coverage. challenging if you have a fear of heights! 32 Pokaiwhenua Arapuni Waipapa Mangakino Whakamaru Atiamuri “This project is what WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS Bridge Dam Dam 11.5km 36km 19km 12km 23.5km New Zealand thinks of as heartland values - groups of people working together to create a new community 29 project.” 1 Lake K a 1 27 28 Mighty River Power Chairperson,

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R iv 1 state highway e r hills. Highlights of this section include the WAIPAPA DAM Waipapa Dam and the native bush and exotic forest. 1 32 Maraetai (Mangakino Lakefront Reserve Lakefront to Whakamaru Lak Forest Dam),12km e M

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MANGAKINO t a i is Grade 2 (Easy) and only 12km long. ATIAMURI Mangakino Perfect for a family day out, this section Suspension Bridge has a village at each end (Mangakino 30 WHAKAMARU DAM Dunham Point Lake Reserve Atiamuri at the start, Whakamaru at the end) and Whakamaru Wai iver aru kat o R includes a 70m-long suspension bridge akam ke Wh that’s around 12m high. 30 La Lake Whakamaru To Pureora Reserve 32 Whakamaru Dam to © AA Traveller 2015 Atiamuri, 23.5km This section has some of the best RIDING THE TRAIL scenery of the trail and has been upgraded to Grade 3 (Intermediate). The Karapiro (Arapuni to The Rhubarb Café in Arapuni is a very suspension bridge 42m above the trail ends (or starts) at a small parking Pokaiwhenua Bridge), popular place to head for after the ride. stream is a thrill. area beside Ongaroto Rd (only 100m 11.5km from SH 1). Arapuni (Arapuni to Waipapa (Waipapa Dam The highlights of this section include This is one of the easiest sections on this Waipapa Dam), 36km to Mangakino Lakefront), trail. It is Grade 2 with a few short Grade views of the picturesque Lake This section includes some road riding 19km 3 hills. Most people park in Arapuni and Whakamaru and the Whakamaru Dam, from Jones Landing to the end of Waotu Navigation along this section is quite ride up the trail to Little Waipa Reserve the wetland and boardwalk at Dunhams South Rd. Jim Barnetts Reserve is full of simple. Just ride across the dam and then and back. The Huihuitaha Wetland, with Creek Reserve and the Ongaroto Steps. birdlife and there is a 1000-year-old totara follow the blue marker posts. This section boardwalk, is a highlight of this section. Visit www.waikatorivertrails.com that is worth a visit. The Mangarewa is Grade 3 and has several steep little

33 WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS things to do...

Lake Karapiro

Just south of Cambridge, is the result of a hydro-electric scheme. Its mirror-like water is ideal for water sports such as canoeing, boating and . Many famous rowers have trained here.

Alongside the trail you’ll pass many take a guided tour on private land ALONGSIDE highlights worth getting off your with a Maori guide who will explain bike for. The Waipapa, Maraetai and the history and cultural signifi cance Whakamaru dams are all interesting of the area, or head down to Lake THE TRAIL features; large man-made structures Maraetai and enjoy a picnic or some almost out of place among the natural chill time. The lake is a popular spot for landscape. wakeboarding and other water sports, The Jim Barnett and Dunham’s Creek so be prepared to see some action. Ancient Sites As well as the ever-present scenic reserves have fascinating fl ora The mighty Waikato River saw many Waikato River, see wetlands, and fauna to check out. dams, lakes and cross bridges ABOVE: Mountain Biking, South Waikato battles in the 19th century and there At Mangakino you can take a break TOP, RIGHT: Kayaking on Lake Karapiro, on this incredibly scenic trail. Both © www.hamiltonwaikato.com are ancient burial and battle sites from your bike to hit the golf course, RIGHT: Waikato River from along its shores.

Putaruru Matamata to appear in the manner of a ruru (owl) • 40km SE of Cambridge headland • 63km E of Hamilton on SH 27

34 Waikato River at Hamilton © davidwallphoto.com WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS RIGHT: Maungatautari bush walk © www.hamiltonwaikato.com

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Located near the trail is Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a must-visit for wildlife lovers. With a 47km-long predator-proof fence, this is the largest ecological island on mainland New Zealand. The eradication of mammalian EXPERIENCE THE MIGHTY RIVER predators is now largely complete allowing the populations of our most endangered native species to recover. This trail puts you in touch with New Zealand’s waters are inhabited by taniwha. It is There are various walking tracks longest river, the Waikato. thought they guard the river, in both a available. Birds to look out for include physical and metaphorical sense, and kiwi, takahe, hihi and kaka, and there are reptiles, including tuatara, as well as fi sh, The Waikato River is spiritually the river is the source of their mana the people who are linked to it. amphibians and beautiful fl ora. important to Maori, in particular to or pride, their strength and identity. To the local people, . They believe this day, local Maori believe the river’s Tokoroa long pole • 89km S of Hamilton on SH 1 Cambridge after the 2nd Duke of Cambridge • 24km SE of Hamilton on SH 1 • Close to Waikato River Cycle Trails • Situated in quiet semi-rural location off SH 1, • Under New Management & renovating 3min to town/restaurants and other amenities. to a Boutique Motel. • Quiet, affordable, 10 spacious ground- • Tariff: $97-$108 (single), $103-$113 (double). fl oor units. Unit rates may apply • Pets welcome • Queen Studios, 1-brm & 2-brm, sleeps from 2-7 persons per unit. • Minutes from Waikato Cycling Trail, Lake Karapiro, Mystery Creek, Velodrome & not far from Hobbiton, Waitomo & many Waikato adventures. www.leamingtonmotel.co.nz FREE • Ample off-road parking. WiFi • Swimming pool, BBQ & spa pool soon! • Tarriff from $110/$125-$160+

LEAMINGTON MOTEL 22 Lochmaben Rd, TOKOROA • E: amisfi [email protected] 90 Shakespeare St, Leamington, Cambridge BOOK NOW: 07 886 7773 • www.amisfi eldmotel.co.nz Ph: (07) 827 4057 • Mob: (027) 211 0596 Email: [email protected] Mangakino stagnant stream • 69km NW of Taupo

• UNIT 1: 1x double + 1 single bed with separate bathroom, own TV Affordable lodge accommodation with coff ee/tea making facilities. • UNIT 2: 1x queen size bed with separate bathroom, own TV with coff ee/tea making facilities • Family unit (ensuite) 1 queen, 2 king singles & 1 rollaway. • Great farmhouse breakfast. • Dinners by arrangement. • Freshly picked produce used in meals. Waikato Cycle Trails

• Tariff : $125-$135 (2 persons) $165 + extras $20. Lodge Phone 0800 88 22 82 for bookings 32 ARU RD 30 129 Plantation Rd, RD 2, Cambridge WHAKAM 5 Totara Terrace, MANGAKINO SCOTT RD www.redwoodparkcambridge.co.nz P: 07 827 2846 M: 021 995 331 Ph: 0800 88 22 82 to book E: [email protected] www.lake-maraetai-lodge.co.nz 35