Te Awa River Ride

Aerial view of two cyclists navigating a picturesque Te Awa River Ride cycling trail on a winding wooden boardwalk, surrounded by lush green trees on one side and water on the other.

Months of operation

All Year

Trail difficulty:

Suitable for most riders

Trail length:

65km

Trail grade:

Grade 1-2

This scenic over 65km river ride between Ngāruawāhia and Karapiro, 20km south of the Mighty River Domain at Lake Karapiro. The route weaves through rural and urban landscapes, taking in waterfalls and historic Maori sites as well as trendy shops and cafes.

Riders can take in the full beauty of the Waikato River with a two-hour cycle journey from Hamilton Gardens all the way to Ngāruawāhia and between Cambridge and Lake Karapiro. The track is primarily wide, smooth and largely flat making Te Awa suitable for cyclists of all fitness and experience levels. The full trail stretches along the Waikato River, from Ngaruawahia in the north to Karapiro in the south.

Bike and settle hire is available from River Riders or Riverside Adventures who service the entire trail.

Please note: some sections are on the road, see the Te Awa website for more details and maps: www.te-awa.org.nz

Highlights

- River views and a mix of rural and urban landscapes
- Wide track suitable for social riding
- Stunning views of Lake Karapiro and a 400m boardwalk around the edge of the lake
- Perry Bridge - an iconic 120m cycle/walk suspension bridge at Horotiu

Te Awa Walkway

The Te Awa River Ride also includes shared cycle/walkway sections. To view a map of the Te Awa walkway click here

Pricing

Free

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