Te Awa River Ride | Tamahere to Lake Karapiro | Time Out 2021-22 Waikato

Robin Capper

11 May 2022 — 4 min read

Time to return to the Waikato and Taupo for some unfinished business. I had a few Waikato River and Taupo rides left to 'complete the set'.

First was a section that was still being built last time I rode the Te Awa River Ride (Waikato River). A new section from near Tamahere to Cambridge which linked to an existing roadside route through to Lake Karapiro.

Update: Since I rode, and as I write, another section linking Hamilton Gardens to Tamahere opened completing the full 65km Te Awa River Ride from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karapiro. I need to go back again!

I parked in Hooker Road, south of Tamahere, as the trail from Tamahere is a roadside ride to here.

The Trail Start for the off-road river section is well signposted.

Unusually for a rural path this one is wide concrete path or wooden boardwalk all the way to Cambridge.

It's certainly not all flat, but beautifully built ramps ease gradients of the occasional climbs.

It's not all flat, but beautifully built

It follows the Waikato River to Cambridge.

There's a token painted bike lane down the Cambridge main street, but this part could be better.

The narrow Victoria St Bridge has shared path bike separation, and a magnificent view.

Along Maungatautari Road, leaving Cambridge, the path is roadside.

Perfect weather, barely a cloud in the sky.

The Waikato River near Karapiro

You pass, but don't cross, Karapiro Dam on the way to the lake. Note this trail is on the opposite shore and end of the lake to the Waikato River Trails which continue upriver.

'Mighty River Domain', Lake Karapiro, is a popular rowing venue.

Looking back towards the domain and dam.

Towards Mighty River Domain, Lake Karapiro

There's a 400m boardwalk along part of the lake shore

I took the same route back to the car, heading back along Lake Karapiro towards the Dam.

Took a short side branch trail to the 'Grassroots Trust' Velodrome, near Cambridge but didn't go inside.

Tested my skills on the miniature roads and pump track, think I passed.

Afternoon sun on the Waikato River, near Tamahere. I was soon back to the car and drove down to Taupo.

Back to the Seventies

I returned to the lake motel as liked my previous stay here (exterior below photo is from my February stay). I couldn't get the garden studio for the term I needed so booked a larger room with the motel's signature immaculate Seventies theme.