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.
Planned Hornwort Control โ Lake Karapiro
Trail users riding or walking the Karapiro section over the coming weeks may notice Mercury contractors spraying for aquatic weed on the lake.
We have been advised that the spraying is scheduled between Monday 23 February and Friday 27 March 2026, with the operation expected to take up to three days (weather and water conditions dependent). This work will be carried out by boat and helicopter and will not occur on weekends or public holidays.
Treatment areas include:
โข Mighty River Domain
โข Horahora Domain
โข Little Waipa Reserve
Important - 24-hour stand-down following spraying:
โข No swimming
โข No fishing
โข No taking water for irrigation or domestic supply
There are no restrictions on using the trail itself, however please follow any on-site signage and directions from the contractors while work is underway.
For updates on timing and progress, please check the Land Information New Zealand website.
www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/crown-property-management/biosecurity-and-biodiversity/biosecurity-cont...
#trailupdate
20/02/2026 - TRAIL UPDATE
Storm damage from last weekend has been assessed. There are 53 areas that have suffered damage on the Trail:
๐ Karapiro section is fine.
๐ Waipapa section has some large slips and will remain closed for some time.
We have just been advised that Waipapa Road has reopened for vehicles and cyclists and that traffic management is in place. Thanks to Taupo District Council for quick response and action. So cyclists can now use Waipapa Road to get between Mangakino and Waipapa Dam.
๐ Maraetai section has over 20 areas of significant scouring, the Trail is rideable but challenging.
๐ Whakamaru section is largely OK with a few slumps and small washouts.
๐ Atiamuri to Ohakuri road is fine.
Over the coming days and weeks we will start to fix these issues, we will keep in touch as this progresses.
#trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand @nzcycletrail
16/02/2026: Trail Update โ Post Weather Event
Following the weekendโs weather event, we have been out assessing conditions across the Waikato River Trails network.
The Karapiro section from Little Waipa Reserve to Arapuni Swingbridge has been checked and is all clear.
The Waipapa section from Lake Road, Mangakino through to Waipapa Dam is CLOSED due to significant slips and pieces of trail missing throughout this section and will remain closed until further notice.
The Maraetai section (from the Mangakino Lakefront to Whakamaru Dam) is open, however extensive scouring has occurred along this section. Please ride/walk with extra care and be mindful of changing surface conditions.
We are continuing to work through the remaining sections and will provide further updates as assessments are completed.
Thank you for your patience and for taking care when out on the trails, and don't forget if you come across any fallen trees or trail damage, it would be much appreciated if you could let us know.
#trailupdate @nzcycletrail Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
Due to damage from yesterdays rain trail from Waipapa dam to Lake road Mangakino is closed. We will update in the coming days. Thank you for your patience.
#news #trailupdate
The forecast isnโt looking too flash for this long weekend. If youโre planning to venture out on the Waikato River Trails, please take care and stay safe.
If the weather isnโt on your side, it might be a great opportunity to enjoy something indoors instead.
Enjoy your long weekend - the Trails will be ready for your next adventure once the weather clears!
#trailupdate
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐: Due to the recent weather we have been experiencing, the water levels along the Waikato River Trails are currently high, with some areas experiencing flooding.
If you do come across water on the trail, please take care and donโt make assumptions about the depth of water.
We also ask all trail users to be extra cautious at the moment, and to let us know if you spot any damage. Including the nearest KM marker really helps our team respond quickly.
#trailupdate
Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand @southwaikato @lovetauponz Mercury
๐ญ๐ฒ/๐ฌ๐ญ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐ โ ๐ก๐ข๐ช ๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ก
Great news! the Karapiro section of the Trail is now fully open, with the retaining wall work now completed.
Thank you to everyone for your patience while this important maintenance was carried out. We hope you enjoy being back on the Trail๐คฉ
#trailupdate
๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ: ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐
A reminder that the Karapiro section of the Trail (between Powerhouse Road & Little Waipa Reserve) will ๐ฐ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐, ๐ง๐๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ for completion of remaining construction work.
This closure is expected to last at least one week, depending on site and weather conditions. Please plan your visit accordingly, and thank you for your patience while we finish this important work.
#trailupdate
๐With the summer holidays underway, itโs a great time to be out enjoying the Waikato River Trails. If you come across anything along the way that needs attention, weโd really appreciate you letting us know๐
A photo (if possible) to let us know what and where, including the nearest KM marker when you message or post - it helps us locate the spot and respond quickly.
Enjoy the holidays๐คฉ
#trailupdate
๐ฎ๐ฎ/๐ญ๐ฎ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ - ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐: ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ข
Please be aware that the Karapiro section of the Trail (between Powerhouse Road and Little Waipa Reserve) will ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น๐ ๐ฐ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ to allow our contractor to complete the remaining work.
The closure is expected to be in place for at least one week, depending on site and weather conditions. Further updates will be shared as the work progresses.
Thanks for your understanding as we complete this important maintenance.
#trailupdate
