๐ง ๐ฌ๐ต/๐ฌ๐ฐ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ โ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง
We have been advised by roading crews that cyclists are still attempting to access the closed Waipapa Road section.
โ ๏ธ Please note: this area is CLOSED for your safety. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ก๐ข ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น (๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ, ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐บ) ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐.
โ No trail access
โ Waipapa Road is also CLOSED โ no through access by road or trail
Road closure details:
๐ง From approx. 7km north of Mangakino through to just south of Waipapa Dam
๐ Please use alternative routes and allow extra travel time
๐ดโโ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ (๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ป๐ถ):
๐ Darby Road
๐ Lake Arapuni Road
๐ Wiltsdown Road
๐ Paraonui Road
๐ Into Tokoroa
๐ 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
๐งTrail Advisory โ Maize Harvesting ๐ง
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 ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ (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 2โ3 days.
Please take extra care if riding through this section, and consider planning your ride accordingly.
#trailupdate
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
Heads up! With Cyclone Vaianu moving through this weekend, the weatherโs looking like it will be pretty rough out there.
Best to give the trails a miss for now โ Stay safe, and look after yourselves.
#news
Please check out the latest course update for The Taniwha๐คฉ
#news๐ฟ Course Update for The Taniwha ๐ฟ
When Mother Nature hit earlier in the year it caused significant damage to sections of the Waikato River Trails and the road leading into Waipapa.
The good news? The Taniwha is 100% going ahead! With works currently underway on the affected road, weโve made a small change to keep things running smoothlyโฆ and it comes with a bonus ๐
โจ A brand new start location + fresh course sections!
This change only affects the 43km MTB, Marathon & Duathlon distances.
Participants in these distances will now start on Mustang Road (off Waipapa Road, approx. 6km north of Mangakino), winding through scenic forestry roads before rejoining the Waikato River Trails and the original course.
More trail, more adventure, and some awesome new forest to explore ๐ฒ
Course maps can be viewed here... thetaniwha.co.nz/43km-duathlon
Heading out on the Waikato River Trails this Easter Weekend?
Make sure to stop in and enjoy a coffee, bite to eat, or something refreshing along the way. Hereโs whatโs open:
๐Ata's Bar & Eatery โ Mangakino | Open all Easter weekend from 9am โ 2.30pm
๐The Dam Village Bakery Cafe โ Whakamaru | Open all Easter weekend from 6am - 5pm
๐Mangakino Club โ Mangakino | Dinner available Wednesday to Sunday | Bookings essential ๐ Call or text Kevin: 021 217 4980
๐Rhubarb Cafe โ Arapuni | Open Good Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8am โ 4pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday
Plan ahead, take a break, and support local while youโre out enjoying the trails this Easter!
#news
Been out enjoying the Waikato River Trails lately?
Weโd love to hear about your experience. Weโre aiming for 500 survey responses each year to help secure funding and keep the Trails in great shape.
All completed surveys by the 31st March automatically go into the draw for a chance to win a $100 e-voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty
๐ www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
#news
Autumn Updates from the Waikato River Trails!
Our latest e-newsletter is here! Find out about:
๐The return of The Taniwha event in May
๐6,000 native plants going in this planting season
๐Trail maintenance and restoration updates
๐Our Trail survey link - complete it by 31st March and go in the draw to win a $100 voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty!
Check it out and see whatโs happening on the Trails this autumn!
email.rocketspark.co.nz/t/r-01042D1B75E5ADF52540EF23F30FEDED
#news Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
If youโve been out on the Waikato River Trails recently, weโd love your feedback.
Weโre working towards 500 completed surveys to help secure funding for ongoing maintenance and improvements.
It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.
๐ Share your feedback here: www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
Thank you for supporting the trails.
#news
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
Step into the Huihuitaha Wetland with Koroneiki Developments! They are tackling one of the trickiest weeds around - honeysuckle - as part of our ongoing restoration project in partnership with the Tooku awa koiora - Waikato River Authority.
#news
Out and about on the Waikato River Trails this Waitangi Weekend?
If youโre planning a ride, walk, or run along the trails, make sure to stop in and grab a coffee, bite to eat, or something refreshing at one of these local spots:
Ata's Bar & Eatery โ Mangakino
Cafรฉ open 8.30am โ 2.30pm | Lakefront cart open 9am โ 3pm
Mangakino Club โ Mangakino
Dinner available | Bookings essential โ call or text Kevin: 021 217 4980
Rhubarb Cafe โ Arapuni
Open 8am โ 4pm | No surcharge
The Dam Village Bakery & Cafรฉ โ Whakamaru
Open right through the long weekend
Plan your pit stops, enjoy a break, and support local while you explore the trails!
#news
๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ: ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ - ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฃ
After a sold-out 2025 event, youโll want to lock this one in early!
Whether youโre taking on the challenge solo, teaming up with mates, or cheering from the sidelines, The Taniwha is always a standout on the trail calendar.
Expect epic scenery, great vibes, and a day that will test your grit in the best possible way.
Mark your calendar, rally your crew, and get ready for another unforgettable day on the trails.
#event Total Sport NZ Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand