The Te Awa River Ride is one of most accessible and scenic cycling and walking trails in New Zealand. It is the longest concrete path in the country winding its way for 65km from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karapiro following New Zealand’s largest river – the mighty Waikato.
It began in 2009 with a vision of the Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust to open up more of the Waikato River to our locals and visitors alike and connect our communities along the way.
From lake and river to waterfalls, along bridges and elevated boardwalks, the Te Awa River Ride showcases parts of the Waikato that have never before been seen – a world-class recreation experience for the whole family and right on our backdoor step.
We hope you enjoy the experience!

Trail Map
Te Awa walk and cycleway stretches along the Waikato River, from Ngaruawahia in the north to Karapiro in the south.

Useful Services
Book your accommodation, organise shuttles, hire a bike and plan your whole adventure…

More to Explore
There is a lot to see and do in our awesome region, so don’t forget to leave some time to check out what Waikato has to offer!
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Latest News
Good progress made in Mangaonua Gully
Great progress is being made in the Mangaonua Gully with the bridge now in place across the stream. This section will...
Track Closure – Spraying on Hooker Road
Weed spraying will be taking place at Genesis Nurseries Hooker Road site on Wednesday 23rd to Thursday 24th March. The...
Tamahere Underpass nears completion
The underpass at Tamahere Village is nearing completion! This is a key link for Te Awa under SH21, allowing safe...
We've had notice of a trail closures due to spraying. The northern end of the velodrome to Hooker Rd section is scheduled to be closed February 7th and 8th. We apologize for the inconvenience and will keep this page updated in case of changes! ... See MoreSee Less
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It's great to see so many people using Te Awa! But please remember - Te Awa is a shared path and a few simple rules can keep everyone safe and happy!
- Please use a bell to warn people when approaching from behind. If you don't have a bell yet, just call out!
- Dogs on leads at all times
- Stay left! If you're taking up the whole width, just check behind you from time to time
- Be patient! Te Awa is for enjoying, not for racing.
Happy weekend everyone! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Would be good if there was a centre line around some of those blind corners from Ann street going north. So many accidents waiting to happen as people never stay to the left. You have them in a few places out towards the Cambridge section 👍🏻
Always use our bell just for safety of walkers as well as us on bikes, just to let people know you are there. Most folks are friendly and appreciate it but a few who look at you as if to say what are you doing on our pathway. Or have earpods in and music going and no idea till you are upon them.
And best to slow down when you are passing people, especially if you think they may not have heard you approaching. They could be deaf, or with their head in the clouds.
Should promote 'keep left' more. Put more signs up rather than just saying to 'share'...that means different things to different people. That includes dogs also. So many close calls with dogs on those retractable leads darting all over the place even though the owners are off to one side. Consideration goes both ways.
Hi there, I'm considering cycling from Ngruawahia to Hamilton tomorrow Saturday 4th Feb. Is the trail do able ?
I live on the cycleway and are often out walking. I would say less than half of cyclists use their bell or call out to warn me of their approach. For the ones that do I usually call out to say thanks. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, I am hard of hearing and I can’t tell you how unnerving it is to feel a cyclist whizzing past from behind and virtually touching my hair - it’s just arrogant
Very good reminders. Many thanks Te Awa. 🔔
“Dogs on a lead”..??? Is that a thing these days? 🤔 51km Te Awa ride today - 21 dogs counted…only 2 on leads. 🤣 And I love the way the owners give angry stares at the riders as they try to navigate around them?!
It’s common sense to ring your bell , but hell there’s some ignorance regarding this simple act.
Can you please talk to the council about repainting Road cycle lanes in Cambridge CBD and heading up Duke St toward Alpha and the Avanti Cycleway. So many times over summer, cars driving and parking in the cycle lanes. Almost got bowled twice in CBD as cars parking not looking for bikes. I always use Wilson St now. 😎
Also should be a speed guide for e-bikes on those blind corners and narrow areas .
The Council should make it mandatory for cyclists to have bells. As cyclists we give people plenty of warning using our bell and if necessary calling out a friendly warning. Works well but not if people have earphones etc. The problem is cyclists who think the only speed is fast and faster and give no warnings or look ahead anticipating what might be ahead of them.
And take yah damn headphones off. 😎
But... pedestrians need to be aware too that it is a shared path! We rode it last week, and so many that are walking on the side, or standing still, checking something out, then all of a sudden cross the path without looking either left or right, straight in the bikers path.
Valerie Isted
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