Welcome to Waikato River Trails
20/05/2026 – Great news received from Taupo District Council!
The section of Waipapa Road that has been closed since early April for repair work on multiple slip sites, will be reopening ahead of schedule, from about 5pm Wednesday 20 May.
While the road will be reopening to all traffic, there is one slip site that still requires repair work and this part of the road will be down to one lane, with stop/go traffic management in place. As always, please take extra care on the road.
We really appreciate everybody’s patience during the closure. It’s been a massive job to restore the safety and long-term stability of the road at three significant slip sites. A shout out too, to our contractor, HEB Construction, for getting this work done well ahead of schedule.
And the Waipapa section of the trail will reopen on the 23rd May!
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support while this important repair work has been completed!
*******************************************************************
The five Waikato River Trails
The Waikato River Trails are divided into five sections across a range of terrain from gently undulating trails to some that are steeper, rugged and more adventurous. The trails are are graded from 3 (Intermediate) to 4 (Advanced) and while they are mostly wide and smooth, some are trickier single-track trails (particularly on the Waipapa section) – a mountain bike is recommended.
𝟭𝟱/𝟬𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 - 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀
Great progress continues on the Waikato River Trails, with the Maraetai section repairs now completed and contractors full steam ahead in the Waipapa section.
A big thank you again to Action Bobcats Ltd, J Swap Contractors Ltd, Skiffington Transport, Caleb Vasta, and the neighbouring landowners for their ongoing support and hard work.
We also like to acknowledge again the financial assistance provided through MBIE following the extreme weather event earlier this year, which has helped make these repairs possible.
Thanks everyone for the continued support as work progresses north🤩
#trailupdate Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
We’re also pleased to confirm that the Waipapa section of the trail will officially reopen to the public from Saturday 23 May😀
#event #trailupdate🚨 IMPORTANT EVENT UPDATE 🚨
As many of you know, we previously had to make course changes to the Marathon and 43km MTB events due to the closure of Waipapa Road following earlier weather damage.
Good news — the road repairs have now been completed ahead of schedule, which means we can return to the ORIGINAL COURSE for both affected distances 🙌
Please take note of the updated start times below 👇
🚵 43km MTB - 7:45am
🏃 Duathlon - 7:45am
🏃 Marathon - 7:55am
📍 Starting from Waipapa Dam
🏃 22km - 10:00am (no longer 10:30am)
🚌 UPDATED BUS TIMES
🕡 6:45am — MTB / Duathlon
🕕 6:50am — Marathon
🕣 8:45am — 22km
Please make sure you check the updated timings before event day 👊
𝟵/𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀
Following the significant weather damage caused by the extreme rain event in February this year, we’re pleased to share that repair work is progressing really well along the Waikato River Trails.
✅The Whakamaru section repairs are now completed
✅Contractors have made excellent progress through the Maraetai section
A huge thank you to the team at Action Bobcats Ltd for their continued hard work on site, J Swap Contractors Ltd for donated aggregate, Skiffington Transport for haulage, and Caleb Vasta for earthworks. We would also like to thank the landowners adjacent to the trail for continuing to provide access for this work to be carried out.
We would also like to acknowledge the financial assistance provided through MBIE following the extreme weather events, which has helped make these repairs possible.
We really appreciate the hard work, support, and collaboration from everyone involved as we continue restoring affected sections of the trail.
More updates to come as work progresses north 🤩
#trailupdate Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
📣24/04/2026 - Trail Update
The heavy rain in mid February caused damage at over 50 sites along the trail. Over the past couple of months, we’ve been busy assessing the damage, understand the cost to repair, securing funding, and engaging contractors.
We are really pleased to share that repair work is now underway, starting at Atiamuri and moving north.
Thanks to the team at Action Bobcats Ltd for their hard work on site, J Swap Contractors Ltd for donated aggregate, Skiffington Transport for haulage and Caleb Vasta for earthworks. Also a big thank you to the landowners adjacent to the trail for providing access for this work.
More updates over the comping weeks 🤩
#Trailupdate Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
🚧 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 – 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
Just a quick heads up for trail users:
The Arapuni Swing Bridge can currently be accessed from the Arapuni side only - however, it is closed at the far end, so it is not possible to ride or walk through to Powerhouse Road.
Works being carried out by Mercury mean the bridge is temporarily a return-only access point.
Please follow all signage on site and plan your ride accordingly.
#trailupdate
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
📣𝟭𝟳/𝟰/𝟮𝟲 - 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘📣
Our contractor will begin repair work on sections of the trail affected by the February storms starting this Monday 20th April.
Work will start on the Whakamaru section at the Atiamuri end, progressing towards Mangakino and into the Waipapa section over the coming weeks.
Please be aware that contractors will be working on the trail, with signage in place where work is underway. For your safety and theirs, please follow all instructions and take care when riding or walking through these areas.
Thank you for your patience while we carry out these important repairs.
#trailupdate
Well its been a busy couple of days - we have been through and checked both the Karapiro and Whakamaru sections over the last couple of days, clearing any fallen debris along the way.
But this afternoon we have had a heads-up about a branch down on the Karapiro section, about 1km from Little Waipa Reserve.
Just a reminder that things can change out there, so if you’re heading out, please take a bit of extra care and keep an eye out for any hazards.
If you do come across anything that needs attention, we really appreciate you letting us know🙂
#trailupdate
The boss has been out on the trail today, completing a trail check from Mangakino to Whakamaru.
Everything along this section has been checked over, with the remaining sections scheduled to be completed during the week.
Please note there is still some damage from the February weather event. Repairs are scheduled, and we will advise when this work is due to take place.
If you’re out riding or walking in the other sections and come across anything new that needs attention, please let us know - we really appreciate the heads up!
We’ll keep you posted with any further updates and stay safe!
#trailupdate
🚧 𝟬𝟵/𝟬𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 – 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🚧
We have been advised by roading crews that cyclists are still attempting to access the closed Waipapa Road section.
⚠️ Please note: this area is CLOSED for your safety. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 (𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗺) 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗.
❌ No trail access
❌ Waipapa Road is also CLOSED – no through access by road or trail
Road closure details:
🚧 From approx. 7km north of Mangakino through to just south of Waipapa Dam
🚗 Please use alternative routes and allow extra travel time
🚴♂️ 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 (𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶):
👉 Darby Road
👉 Lake Arapuni Road
👉 Wiltsdown Road
👉 Paraonui Road
👉 Into Tokoroa
👉 Continue towards Whakamaru / Mangakino
This closure follows the significant February storm event, which caused extensive damage including slips, washouts, and trail scouring across multiple sites.
Trail repair planning is well underway, with assessments completed and contractors engaged.
Thank you for your patience and for respecting the closure while we work to safely restore the trail.
#trailupdate
🚧Trail Advisory – Maize Harvesting 🚧
Roads affected: Huirimu Road / Waipapa Road (Arapuni Section)
We've been advised that maize harvesting along the unsealed section of Huirimu Road and down Waipapa Road 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (weather permitting).
During this time, there will be convoys of trucks travelling on these roads, which will impact on visibility and accessibility for trail users.
Harvesting is expected to take approx 2–3 days.
Please take extra care if riding through this section, and consider planning your ride accordingly.
#trailupdate
