Looking for a way to get around the Arapuni Dam closure?
Riverside Adventures - Waikato is available to help you plan your ride and navigate the current Trail access and detours.
Give them a call on 0800 287 448 and they will help you out ๐
#trailupdate"The dam is closed!"
"Google says there's a road section!"
"Can we actually ride through there?"
"Where should we start?"
"How far can the kids manage?"
"Where do we leave the car?"
STOP. ๐
Before you abandon the whole idea...
Phone us - We've been here since the Waikato River Trails opened.
We've seen closures, detours, weather, road sections, have pushed the kids to the limits and just about everything else the trail can throw at you.
And quite often the answer is simply: "Yep. No problem. Here's what we'd do..."
Sometimes Google isn't the local trail expert - We are. ๐
Planning a ride? Ask us your trail question below. ๐
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
We are proud to have Better Eggs NZ supporting the Karapiro Section of the Waikato River Trails, from the Pokaiwhenua Carpark through to the Huihuitaha Boardwalk.
Itโs a beautiful stretch of Trail, with plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
A big thank you to Better Eggs for helping us care for and maintain this section of the Trail.
#news
Spring has sprung on the Waikato River Trails!
Our latest e-newsletter is out, packed with Trail news, important updates and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the longer days.
And donโt forget to complete our Trail survey by 30 September and be in to win a $100 e-voucher from our friends at Nothing Naughty ๐
email.rocketspark.co.nz/t/r-E57EC3163899A7FB2540EF23F30FEDED
Ngฤ Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand Mercury #news
The 500m long Huihuitaha Boardwalk (located on the Karapiro Section) is one of the special spots along the Waikato River Trails, taking you through a beautiful landscape where nature and adventure go hand in hand.
And thereโs plenty happening behind the scenes. As part of ongoing environmental restoration, invasive willows are being replaced with native trees and plants, helping restore the natural habitat and create a healthier environment for native wildlife.
#news
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
