Hamilton - the inland hub

Itinerary one 

Waikato River Trails Great Ride

Trail details: 104km total. Divided into five sections, choose to bike the trail in 1-3 days, or one section at a time. The Karapiro Trail is the most popular day option, see below

Grade: Mostly 3 (intermediate) and 4 (advanced) 

Description: This Great Ride follows New Zealand’s longest river through native bush, exotic forest, remote farmland, boardwalks, streams, suspension bridges and magnificent hydropower dams

Getting there: Fly into Hamilton Airport. It's just over an hour's drive to the southern most starting point at Whakamaru, or about half an hour to the northern start at Karapiro.  

The Karapiro Trail, 11.5km, grade 3 (intermediate)

On-trail highlights:

• Arapuni Power Station and Dam – the first government-built high dam constructed on the Waikato River in the 1920s. 

• Historic Arapuni Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in the country spanning 152.4m and suspended 54m above the river.

• Sculptures - Viewing Frame sculpture created by college students. Tui sculpture in corrugated iron by local artist Steven Clothier. Arched steel sculpture by highly-acclaimed New Zealand artist Fred Graham.

• Huihuitaha Wetland, via a 500m boardwalk, lush with indigenous plants, and a habitat for NZ bird species.

Itinerary two

Timber Trail Great Ride

Trail detail: 84km. Most riders choose to ride over two days, with an overnight stay in the middle at one of the unique accommodation options. Allow 5-7 hours per day of riding time

Grade: 3 (intermediate) 

Description:  Set in the heart of Pureora Forest Park and boasting rare birdlife, this heritage ride journeys through massive virgin rainforests, historic timber tramlines and some of the longest suspension bridges in the country  

Getting there: The closest towns of Taumarunui and Taupō are about a two-hour drive from Hamilton. 
 
Day One - Pureora to Piropiro (40km) 

On-trail highlights:

• Ancient podocarp forests with giant rimu and tōtara trees

• Abundant native birdlife including kākā, tūī, and robins

• Dramatic suspension bridges up to 100m long

• On-track accommodation ranging from campsites to a luxury lodge.

Day Two - Piropiro to Ongarue 43km, grade 3 (intermediate) 

On-trail highlights: 

• The massive 141m-long Maramataha Bridge standing 53m high

• Historic timber tramway ruins, old workers' huts, and cuttings

• The Ongarue Spiral, the world’s only bikeable railway loop

Other Great Rides nearby: 

On the eastern side of the North Island, you'll find the Motu Trails Great Ride. Ōpōtoki is a good base, located almost four hours from Hamilton.  

Three hour's drive from Hamilton in the middle of the North Island is the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride.