A great day out! Our Track & Trail Cycle Adventures group of 9 riders stopped at Rhubarb Cafe, crossed the swing bridge at Arapuni and passed three hydro stations on our ride from Pokaiwhenua stream to Mangakino.
Great trail for dirt bikes and hiking fans. 11km one way but can shorten it to 3-5km as you like. Always driving past the motorway, but this first time hiking here leaves me time to appreciate the river view, farms, and houses.
Awesome easy grade track if u are cycle fit. And lots of it. DOC Caravan park and cafe also on this track.
The Arapuni Suspension bridge is a must see place. The track is well maintained too.
Loved this only went to the Arapuni Dam which was 1hour there and 1 hour back great track
Have been here previously for a cycle.. Enjoyed it immensely. There is a wonderful carpark, situated well off the main road. It sits beside the intriguing Pokaiwhenua Stream, which you follow at the start of the cycle trail before it feeds into the mighty Waikato river. This time we came for a kayak up the Pokaiwhenua Stream. We were delighted with a beautiful kayak through a canyon clothed in beautiful lush bush and moss, with water trickling in over the rocky outcrops. Magical. The stream is slow moving here, so it was a relaxing kayak upstream as we watched and heard tui and fantails flit and swoop amongst the trees. There were also numerous small black Scaup about the reeds, ducking and diving as we approached. There's definitely fish in this river too. We were the only ones on the river for the whole hour or two! The entry and exit to the river is beside the river trail carpark. Beware it is steep, so could get slippery, but certainly do-able. We had a double kayak.
Rode this trail today with my partner and loved it (we only managed the first trail) the views along the riverside are stunning and if you push through to the first town you can walk a massive suspention bridge over the hydroelectric dam!
Waikato River Trail start is located at 404 Horahora Road, Piarere 3484, New Zealand
You can contact Waikato River Trail start at +64 21 178 9332
You can find directions to Waikato River Trail start by following this map link
Rototuna, Hamilton 3210, New Zealand
86 Ulster Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
Horsham Downs Road, Hamilton 3791, New Zealand
1158 River Road, Flagstaff, Hamilton 3210, New Zealand
36 Casey Avenue, Fairfield, Hamilton 3879, New Zealand
Dominion Road, Nawton, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand