For Trail users heading from the Arapuni Swingbridge to Jones Landing, Mercury has constructed new Trail to allow access around the worksite for the Arapuni Dam remedial work. The route is well sign posted and will be open from Tuesday, 1st September.
#trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐ โ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ก๐ง ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐
From 9am Tuesday, 1 September 2026, the road across the Arapuni Dam will close for approximately 24โ36 months while repair and enhancement works are carried out by Mercury.
This closure will affect trail users travelling between Arapuni and Waipapa Dam.
๐ซ Please note that the Powerhouse Road detour is for vehicles only โ trail users cannot walk or cycle along this detour.
This means trail users travelling between Arapuni and Waipapa Dam will need vehicle support to travel around the closure.
If you are planning to ride or walk this section of the Waikato River Trails, please plan ahead and make arrangements for transport around the closure before starting your journey.
We will have signage in place at trail entry points to help ensure trail users are aware of the closure.
Please share this information with anyone planning to use the trail.
#news #trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand๐งFrom 9am on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, Arapuni Road across Arapuni Dam will close for approximately 24โ36 months while Mercury carries out major repair work on the dam.
We know this closure will have an impact on people travelling through the area, so please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the alternative routes and plan ahead where possible ๐
A temporary detour via Powerhouse Road will be available for light vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, school buses, emergency services and rigid trucks up to 8 metres.
Please allow a little extra time for your journey and take care when travelling through the detour.
More information, including the detour and vehicle restrictions, is available on our website via the link in the comments ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ/๐ฌ๐ด/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐ โ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ / ๐ข๐๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐
Weโve been advised that works will be taking place on land adjacent to the Waikato River Trails near Ohakuri Road, Atiamuri from Friday 21 August through to Wednesday 26 August, if not sooner.
The trail will remain open during this time.
What to expect:
โข Friday 21 August โ a digger will be operating along the farm boundary adjacent to the trail.
โข Monday 24 August onwards โ mowing operations will take place along the road from Ohakuri Road to the farm.
โข Signage will be in place, with pilot vehicles used where required.
The contractor has advised that disruption should be minimal and operations will pause to allow cyclists and other trail users to pass safely.
Please take care and follow any on-site signage when travelling through this section.
#trailupdate
The Powerhouse Road Safety Improvement Project is finished. The new Trail and boardwalk will provide a much safer experience for cyclists and walkers using the Karapiro section of the Trail.
Cyclists are now using the new route. There is a 6m piece of sight rail to install and moving a few signs to finish. A great outcome, thanks to Iwi, Mercury, South Waikato District Council and contractor Keir Projects limited.
#trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
Great news! AAA Trees have now cleared the fallen tree from the Whakamaru Section, and access to the trail has been restored.
A big thank you to AAA Trees for their prompt work, and to everyone who reported the fallen tree and provided detailed location information. Your assistance helped us respond quickly and get the trail reopened as soon as possible.
#trailupdate
๐ฎ๐ต/๐ฌ๐ฒ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ โ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
A large tree is currently down across the trail on the Whakamaru Section, around the 11 km marker (not far from Tram Road).
Our contractor is scheduled to remove it on Wednesday, 1st July.
At this stage, we're unsure whether cyclists are able to get through, so if you're planning to use this section before then, please take extra care and be prepared to turn around if necessary.
A huge thank you to everyone who has reported this. The detailed information you provided, including the location, has been incredibly helpful and has allowed us to pass accurate information on to our contractor, helping us respond more efficiently.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we get this cleared.
#trailupdate
A huge thank you to Forest View High School, Tokoroa, for returning to Lake Whakamaru to help care for the next generation of native forest.
Just 12 months ago, students planted more than 3,000 native trees at the site. Their return visit to release and maintain these young plants is a vital step in helping them thrive and establish for the future.
Weโre grateful for the ongoing commitment, hard work, and environmental leadership shown by the students and staff.
#trailupdate Forest View High School Tokoroa Official
Looking for a way to get around the Arapuni Dam closure?
Mangakino Shuttle Service is available to help you get around the detour and back onto the Waikato River Trail.
Give Peter a call on 027 473 7496 to arrange your shuttle.
#newsArapuni Dam is now closed for a lengthy period. If you are wanting to be picked up in Mangakino and dropped off at the North end of The Waikato River Trail (Pokaiwhenua Bridge Car Park) I could wait and meet you at the Rhubarb Cafe or at Jones Landing, then Shuttle you through the Detour Mercury have provided, then drop you off there, or at Waipapa Dam, if you don't want to ride the Road section. Just ring me on 0274 737 496
Good news for trail users! ๐ Rhubarb Cafรฉ is staying open throughout the Arapuni Dam closure!
Donโt forget to stop in - the perfect place for a coffee, a bite to eat and a warm welcome while youโre exploring the area.
#news
๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฅ๐ โ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ก๐ง ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐
From 9am Tuesday, 1 September 2026, the road across the Arapuni Dam will close for approximately 24โ36 months while repair and enhancement works are carried out by Mercury.
This closure will affect trail users travelling between Arapuni and Waipapa Dam.
๐ซ Please note that the Powerhouse Road detour is for vehicles only โ trail users cannot walk or cycle along this detour.
This means trail users travelling between Arapuni and Waipapa Dam will need vehicle support to travel around the closure.
If you are planning to ride or walk this section of the Waikato River Trails, please plan ahead and make arrangements for transport around the closure before starting your journey.
We will have signage in place at trail entry points to help ensure trail users are aware of the closure.
Please share this information with anyone planning to use the trail.
#news #trailupdate Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand๐งFrom 9am on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, Arapuni Road across Arapuni Dam will close for approximately 24โ36 months while Mercury carries out major repair work on the dam.
We know this closure will have an impact on people travelling through the area, so please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the alternative routes and plan ahead where possible ๐
A temporary detour via Powerhouse Road will be available for light vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, school buses, emergency services and rigid trucks up to 8 metres.
Please allow a little extra time for your journey and take care when travelling through the detour.
More information, including the detour and vehicle restrictions, is available on our website via the link in the comments ๐
Looking for a place to stay along the Waikato River Trails? From cosy B&Bs to lakeside lodges, our accommodation partners offer you welcoming places to relax, recharge and make the most of your time on the Waikato River Trails.
๐ Atiamuri โ ๐ ๐๐๐ป๐.๐ป๐
๐ Whakamaru โ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐บ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ
๐ Mangakino โ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ถ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ & ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ
๐ Cambridge โ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ
Find all our accommodation and other local partners in our Partner Directory.
www.waikatorivertrails.co.nz/partner-directory/#eat-sleep
#news
If youโve been out enjoying the Waikato River Trails lately, weโd love to hear from you.
Your feedback helps us secure funding for ongoing maintenance, repairs, and future improvements across the trail network.
Our goal is to reach 500 completed surveys, and every response helps.
๐ Share your feedback here: www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
Thank you for supporting the trails and the work happening across the network.
#news
The days are slowly getting longer, and there's no better time to start planning your next adventure on the Waikato River Trails.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend away, an epic day ride, or a scenic walk with family and friends, our local trail partners are here to help make your visit easy and enjoyable.
โ
Find great places to stay
โ
Discover local cafรฉs and places to eat
โ
Book bike hire, shuttle services and guided experiences
โ
Support the local businesses that help make the Waikato River Trails such a special destination
Start planning your adventure today by exploring our Partner Directory.
๐ Visit: www.waikatorivertrails.com/partner-directory/
#news
Some very special days happen on the Waikato River Trails, and yesterday was definitely one of them.
A huge thank you to the amazing students and staff from Upper Atiamuri School. Twenty-six students and three staff members planted more than 1,000 native trees alongside the Trail at Atiamuri, helping restore the river's edge for future generations.
These young tamariki were polite, hardworking, and incredibly diligent. It was an absolute pleasure to have you working alongside us.
Upper Atiamuri School Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
Tooku awa koiora - Waikato River Authority #news
Have you walked, run or ridden the Waikato River Trails recently? We'd love to hear about your experience.
Your feedback helps us secure funding for ongoing maintenance, repairs and future improvements across the trail network.
๐ฃ๐น๐๐, ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ด๐ผ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐๐ก ๐ฎ $๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฌ Nothing Naughty ๐ฒ-๐๐ผ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ!
Every response helps us better understand how people use and enjoy the Trail, ensuring we can continue to protect and enhance this special place for everyone.
Share your feedback here: www.getsmartglobal.com/waikatorivertrails
#news
๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐!
Our latest e-newsletter is here! Find out about:
๐ The successful restoration of trail damage following February's weather event
๐ Upcoming works at Powerhouse Road ahead of the Arapuni Dam closure
๐ Preparations for our 2026 planting season with 6,000 native plants
๐ Another sold-out Taniwha event and the positive feedback received from participants
๐ New Trail Naming Sponsors and the organisations helping support the Trail's future
๐ Our visitor survey โ share your feedback and help shape the future of the Waikato River Trails and all surveys completed by 30th June and go in the draw to win a $100 voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty!
Check it out and see what's happening on the Trails this winter!
email.rocketspark.co.nz/t/r-DCE20C4D8FD50C942540EF23F30FEDED
#news Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand
This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a huge thank you to all the incredible volunteers - past, present and future - who have helped make a difference on the Waikato River Trails.
From trail maintenance and planting projects to event support and advocacy, your time, energy, and passion have helped create and care for a trail experience that is enjoyed by thousands of people each year.
Every contribution, big or small, has played a part in shaping the Waikato River Trails into the special place it is today.
To everyone who has given their time over the years, and to those who may join us in the future, thank you for being part of the Waikato River Trails story.
Together, you're helping keep the Waikato River Trails thriving for generations to come๐
#news #NVW2026
The Great Rides App is a fantastic tool to help you get the most out of your ride on the Waikato River Trails and across all 23 of Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand Cycle Trails.
With offline maps, GPS tracking, trail information, points of interest, and helpful tips all in one place, it's the perfect companion for planning and navigating your next adventure.
Want to explore a new trail or revisit a favourite, the Great Rides App helps you ride with confidence and discover more along the way.
๐ฒ Available to download on Apple and Android โ and itโs totally free.
#news
