Location: Waikato Region
Top Things to do in Waikato Region
What to do and see in Waikato Region, North Island: The Best Biking Trails
Waikato (/ˈwaɪkɑːtɔː/ or /ˈwaɪkætoʊ/) is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District. It is governed by the Waikato Regional Council.
Restaurants in Waikato Region
1. Te Awa The Great New Zealand River Ride
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Te Awa is a free, accessible walk/cycleway that has an overarching positioning of lushness, water, rural green landscape & pockets of native bush. When complete, the Great NZ River Ride will travel 70 kms along the shoreline of New Zealand’s largest & longest river – the mighty Waikato
Reviewed By JulietR760
We loved our ride along the mighty Waikato. The bike trail is really well serviced and signposted. Rent your bikes from Electrify River Riders - they’re awesome!!
2. River Riders NZ
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
Bike rental and transport, 3 locations: Ngaruawahia, Hamilton CBD & Cambridge. Options: 2 hour / 4 hour / 8 hour / longer rental periods on request Attractions you can visit on a bike: Hamilton Gardens, Museum, Te Awa The Great NZ River Ride, The Waikato Explorer, Maori Pa sites, The Perry Bridge, The Hakarimata walkway. - eBike's - StepperFIT Bikes - Tandem - 3 Wheeler heavy load Trike - Mountain Bike's - Kids Bike's - Cruiser Bike's - Car Bike Racks (2 Bike's - 20 Bike Trailer - Shuttle Transport (All rentals include helmet, safety vest, bike/tyre repair kit, medical kit, poncho, map (Great Ride's App) and on call support)
Reviewed By HayleySimonStronge
My husband and I were keen to ride the Te Awa River Ride and found River Riders NZ just across from the Novotel. We got a 10% discount for staying at the Novotel, on hiring e-bikes. The ride was amazing. Beautiful scenery and so cruisy on the e-bikes. We got all the way from Hamilton CBD to the Perry Bridge and back in 2 hours. Dan at River Riders NZ made it so easy for us.
3. Adventure Shuttles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Get the Buzz in the Central North Island outdoors by bike or on foot. We love helping people explore our place. At Adventure Shuttles we are passionate outdoors people who have biked, hiked and climbed extensively in New Zealand and overseas. Kiwis with over 40 years experience exploring the Central North Island outdoors
Reviewed By ScottSomerville70
We booked a last-minute self-guided trip with Garth and he couldn't have been more helpful. He responded quickly and we had everything arranged within an hour of contacting him. He picked us up from our accommodation the next morning and drove us to the start of the Great Lake Trail. He gave us some valuable tips about the track, too. The bikes were good and we were provided with a tool kit as well. Once we were finished biking, we had a great lunch at the Tipsy Trout in Kinloch (a tip from Garth), and we just texted Garth to let him know he could come pick us up. It was great not having to be back by a certain time and enjoy the ride at our own leisure. Would highly recommend!
4. Hauraki Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
The Hauraki Rail Trail is only 1.5 hours from Auckland and passes through Thames, Paeroa, Waihi and Te Aroha. The trail is a family friendly and is an easy grade one ride, suitable for all ages and abilities. A true sense of pioneering hospitality and mouth-watering food can be tasted along the way, fare to satisfy the most ardent explorer. The Trail also passes through the Karangahake gorge known as one of New Zealand's 14 wonders.
Reviewed By SM251 - Oxted, United Kingdom
My wife and I had a great ride from Paeroa to Waihi and back - great scenery and an almost entirely flat track. The bikes and other equipment which we hired from Hauraki Bike Hire (101 Normanby Road, Paeroa) were excellent and Michael and his colleagues couldn’t have been nicer. While we got back just before they closed, we would have been able to have left them outside if we had returned after closing time, so there was no need to rush.
5. Great Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
The Great Lake Trail is a 70 kilometre purpose built mountain biking/walking/running trail situated close to Lake Taupo in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. The trail follows the western shore of Lake Taupo, and takes in stunning views across to the volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can, and should, experience The Great Trail.
Reviewed By huggyfamily - Auckland, New Zealand
Have now cycled all 3 Great Lake Trails, each on a different trip to Taupo in the last four months. Enjoyed them all. The first one we did was K2K (December), loved it, especially now as it can be done as a loop from Kinloch. Couldn't wait to go down in January to do our second trail, the W2K (return), starting at Kinloch, doing the Headland Loop (great flowy mountain bike trail! and lovely views on a lovely day), then down to Whakaipo Bay, slept on the warm stones while my husband had a refreshing dip in the lake, then we cycled back to Kinloch - yes it was hard yakka going back up the hill (slow and steady wins the race), but oh what a joy it was sweeping back down to Kinloch in the late afternoon. Fabulous day. Finally in April we did Waihora and Waihaha, return (57km) - no water taxi for us! Started the day at 9am from the top of the Waihora track, a great 17km ride down to the bay (2 and a half hours), had a lovely picnic, then rode back up (2 and a half hours), rode the farm road to the top of Waihaha track (10km - one hour, with a break to see cute alpacas!), then down Waihaha track (13km (two hours, with breaks to see the beautiful views of the river, canyon, waterfall, and setting sun). Managed to finish back at the car at sundown, 5.45pm, just as it was getting dark. Exhilarating! We are in our fifties. We were so exhausted that when we got back to Taupo we sat for an hour in a thermal pool and went to bed at 8.30pm without bothering with dinner! We can't say which trail we liked best, as they were all different, and brilliantly built. I am writing this review because a lot of websites and reviews say "a water taxi is required" for the Waihora Bay trail. Well, we proved it isn't Just make sure you have enough daylight hours...
6. Tongariro River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By MarkR7064 - Palmerston North, New Zealand
Fantastic walk, you can choose different length walks, I have previously done the 13km loop, on our last trip we were short on time so only did the SH1 to Major Jones bridge loop. Track is mostly flat walking (after the short climb to the lookout). worth taking the short tracks off the main track that lead down to the river for a look. Great leg stretch if only passing through Turangi, our dog loved it (please note dogs must be on a lead).
7. Pauanui Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By RoWZN
not to be confused with the Pauanui Trail along the river ! We took the trail as recommended counterclockwise, steep sections, but completely rewarded by breathtaking views at the top ! Depending on weather conditions, sturdy shoes , hiking boots are a definitely recommended.
8. Hamilton Cycleways
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By 732steve - Hamilton, New Zealand
My wife and I took our bicycles to Hamilton cycle way.i recommend the cycle way for everyone young and old it is conreted most of the way and with beautiful views of the waikato river and surrounding areas.i rate this as easy riding And it is open 24 hours
9. Whitianga Bike Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By davemumford1309 - Dronfield, United Kingdom
The staff were very helpful and the bikes were fantastic. Very good quality for hire bikes. We took hard tails because that’s what we were used to and they let us try them first for fit and suitability. Electric bikes are of course more expensive but looked good. We did half a day because we only had that time but we got to zone 5 in that time. The trails are in zones and there are hundreds of possible routes all graded. They have a very helpful map which is a must and easy to follow. The forest is vast. This really was an exciting biking day as I said in New Zealand forests and hills. Excellent time spent.
10. Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway borders the northern Coromandel coastline between Stony and Fletcher Bays, following an old bridle path formed by early pioneers. It is a 10km (one way) hike that encapsulates the best scenery The Coromandel has to offer. It offers plenty of variety as it winds through regenerative native forest, farmland and rocky shoreline.
Reviewed By Acineto - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We did an overnight trip to do the Coastal Walk. We stayed in Fletcher's Bay Campground and the walk goes to the Stony Bay campgrounds, just follow the orange trail marks. The return trip took us about 6 hours at a fairly leisurely pace. I found that the walk itself was mostly easy with a light gradient. The start bit from Fletcher's Bay was quite an uphill and there was also a section near Poley Bay in the middle of the walk that had a steep downhill and uphill section. The views along the walk was very scenic. The views over the water to the various islands was really nice. There was also a lookout which had a nice view of the surrounds which included our destination, Stoney Bay. It was a bit of a climb to get to the lookout though, but it was short (about 5 minutes). The walk from Fletcher's Bay was on farmland so it was quite open. After that section, most of the walk was covered under the bush which was quite nice. The path was fairly wide, possibly due to that being a biking path too. There were also a few stops along the way between the campsites including Poley Bay and a lookout point. It was quite an enjoyable day tramp.
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