Ngāruawāhia to Hamilton - Te Awa (The River)
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Walking
Te Araroa trail section: Follow part of Te Awa, a riverside path made for cyclists and walkers.
Immediately after crossing the Waipā River, take a sharp left into Sampson Street and follow it around, joining Broadway Street, then onto the Lower Waikato Esplanade.
Follow this under the railway line and road bridge and immediately after the road bridge, join the paved path. You are now on Te Awa cycle/walkway. Follow through to the riverside reserve. Across the river is the Tūrangawaewae Marae, a very significant marae of the Māori people of New Zealand and the official residence and reception centre of the head of the Kīngitanga (the Māori King Movement).
Te Awa continues along the river, continuing south as you leave Ngāruawāhia. You'll see the Ngāruawāhia Golf Course to your right and shortly after a spectacular green bridge will appear. Cross the bridge and you will now be on the true right of the river.
The path will take you to Horotiu Bridge Road, where you'll cross back over the Waikato River, and down onto Te Awa along the river, with a small deviation away from the river just past the Fonterra dairy plant.
Conditions
Potential hazards
- Vehicles on road or track – stay as far off SH1 as possible
- Be aware of cyclists on cycleway into Hamilton from Horotiu
How to get here
Northern Start: Waingaro Road Bridge, Ngāruawāhia
Southern End: Pūkete Road, Hamilton
Transport
- InterCity - Major North Island routes - PH 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz
- BusIt - (Huntly and Hamilton) - P: 0800 205 305
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Ngaruawahia to Hamilton Central bike ride via Te Awa Trail. 2 Hour trip, $39.00.Luggage transport option, $10.00. 08:45am transfer (subject to change)2 days notice needed. Ph: 027 265 5504 E: rentals@riverriders.co.nz
Accommodation
- Riverbed Motel 13 Market St, Ngāruawāhia. P: 07 8248360 - E: riverbedmotel@gmail.com
- Or detour west - Waingaro Hot Springs Hotel and Camping Ground - 2263 Waingaro Rd, Ngāruawāhia - P: 07 825 4761 - E: waingaro.hot.springs@outlook.com
- Liam and Hannah - Located near Km 766/767. Can provide tent space for most sized groups. Washer/drier/showers available. Covered areas to escape the rain. No donation required. Please text or call to confirm availability. 027 208 8447
Food And Supply
- New World Supermarket - 7 Galileo St, Ngāruawāhia - P: 07 824 8275 Open 7.00am -9.00pm daily
Track Elevation and Map
Total 2 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Waikato trail notes, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: Oct 18, 2023, 9:38 AM