Trip No 2417 - Waikato River Trails. Waipapa Section or Maraetai Section or both

The Waikato River Trails has creating access for walking, biking and tramping along New Zealand's longest river - the mighty Waikato. We will do the Waipapa Section &/or the Maraetai Section. In the very middle of the Waikato River Trails is the Lake Waipapa Section. We will start this section from Waipapa Dam. This section is the most challenging grade of the Waikato River Trails. The distance, however, makes this a very achievable walk for most people. The remote nature of this section makes it very popular. Length is 14.6km.

Highlights - Waipapa Dam, Maraetai Dams 1 and 2, Trails through exotic forest, with soft pine needles as a surface, fantastic native lakeside bush
The Maraetai Section of the Waikato River Trail starts in the north at either the Maraetai Dam entrance road, or Mangakino Lakefront, Lake Road.
This section has the villages of Mangakino and Whakamaru at each end and is a perfect choice for all the family. The 70m suspension bridge, 4km from Mangakino, is approximately 25m above the water. This lakeside Trail is lots of fun with tracks wiggling through a variety of landscapes. Length is 12.2km.

Highlights - Vast views up and down Lake Maraetai, 70m Mangakino Suspension Bridge, The big rock - 4km from Mangakino
There are options to do one section or both.