Waikato / King Country
Mercer to Rangiriri - OPEN
(North to South)
NO dogs, guns, camping or fires.
Track is impassable when the river is in flood. The Waikato is a dangerous river. Swimming is NOT recommended. Water erosion may undermine the bank near the river edge.
From the southern end of Skeet Rd, keep going straight ahead, following the fenceline and orange markers. When the fence ends, keep following the markers over farmland and through bush. From the high points, there are great views of the Waikato River and the Whangamarino wetland which is the second largest bog and swamp complex in the North Island.
Whangamarino Wetlands Track - 5.5km / 2hr
Just south of the old power station, veer west off the highway shoulder and follow the marked track along the stopbank. Continue on south along the river bank until you reach Dragway Rd. Turn west and follow the road to the end.
Waikato River - 17.5km / 6hr
Near the end of Dragway Road, an ignimbrite rock marker marks the trail head, engraved with a Waikato River verse from a Topp Twins song. Signage indicates walkers are under the protection of the Ngati Naho taniwha.
The first 9km from Dragway Rd to the Te Kauwhata Pumphouse is the most scenic part of the track. It follows farm tracks and the stopbank for three kilometres before ascending hilly terrain to a height of 35 metres, with good river views, before descending again to the flats. Kahikatea, cabbage trees and puketea alongside the trail give a hint of the original riverside vegetation.
Soon after, the track passes on to another farm frontage, climbing to another river viewpoint before crossing a swamp on a 30m boardwalk and exiting just north of the Pumphouse. (The Pumphouse is accessible by Hall Road, if you want to arrange a pickup by car here).
The track continues along the stopbank parallel to Churchill East Road for most of the remaining 8.5km to Rangiriri. (The quiet road shoulder is an option if you don’t like moving past occasional cattle - wear hi-viz and don't use headphones).
Two kilometres south of the Pumphouse, watch for Tarahanga, an island that was used in former times as a Maori sentry post to detect invaders on the river. High priests here once uttered powerful incantations and sounded alarms through a rock structure known as Te Pahuu o Ngati Pou, warning of any impending danger.
Three kilometres along this route, the track diverts on to the road for nearly 2km, then returns to the stopbank again for the final 2km to Rangiriri Bridge. This last section sometimes grazes young bulls so, if you'd prefer, the road is again an option.
The trail ends near an old redoubt where, in 1863, British troops fought Waikato warriors in a bloody encounter. The nearby Rangiriri Battle Site Heritage Centre displays military relics and an audio-visual of the battle.
For those continuing south, it is safer to walk underneath the bridge then scramble up the bank to cross Rangiriri Bridge on the southern side of the road.
- Vehicles on road or track
- Farming operations
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- Few water sources
- Track is impassable when the river is in flood. The Waikato is a dangerous river. Swimming is NOT recommended. Water erosion may undermine the bank near the river edge. Supervise children closely.
(North to South)
NO dogs, guns, camping or fires.
Track is impassable when the river is in flood. The Waikato is a dangerous river. Swimming is NOT recommended. Water erosion may undermine the bank near the river edge.
From the southern end of Skeet Rd, keep going straight ahead, following the fenceline and orange markers. When the fence ends, keep following the markers over farmland and through bush. From the high points, there are great views of the Waikato River and the Whangamarino wetland which is the second largest bog and swamp complex in the North Island.
Whangamarino Wetlands Track - 5.5km / 2hr
Just south of the old power station, veer west off the highway shoulder and follow the marked track along the stopbank. Continue on south along the river bank until you reach Dragway Rd. Turn west and follow the road to the end.
Waikato River - 17.5km / 6hr
Near the end of Dragway Road, an ignimbrite rock marker marks the trail head, engraved with a Waikato River verse from a Topp Twins song. Signage indicates walkers are under the protection of the Ngati Naho taniwha.
The first 9km from Dragway Rd to the Te Kauwhata Pumphouse is the most scenic part of the track. It follows farm tracks and the stopbank for three kilometres before ascending hilly terrain to a height of 35 metres, with good river views, before descending again to the flats. Kahikatea, cabbage trees and puketea alongside the trail give a hint of the original riverside vegetation.
Soon after, the track passes on to another farm frontage, climbing to another river viewpoint before crossing a swamp on a 30m boardwalk and exiting just north of the Pumphouse. (The Pumphouse is accessible by Hall Road, if you want to arrange a pickup by car here).
The track continues along the stopbank parallel to Churchill East Road for most of the remaining 8.5km to Rangiriri. (The quiet road shoulder is an option if you don’t like moving past occasional cattle - wear hi-viz and don't use headphones).
Two kilometres south of the Pumphouse, watch for Tarahanga, an island that was used in former times as a Maori sentry post to detect invaders on the river. High priests here once uttered powerful incantations and sounded alarms through a rock structure known as Te Pahuu o Ngati Pou, warning of any impending danger.
Three kilometres along this route, the track diverts on to the road for nearly 2km, then returns to the stopbank again for the final 2km to Rangiriri Bridge. This last section sometimes grazes young bulls so, if you'd prefer, the road is again an option.
The trail ends near an old redoubt where, in 1863, British troops fought Waikato warriors in a bloody encounter. The nearby Rangiriri Battle Site Heritage Centre displays military relics and an audio-visual of the battle.
For those continuing south, it is safer to walk underneath the bridge then scramble up the bank to cross Rangiriri Bridge on the southern side of the road.
Mercer
Getting to/from the start
The Waikato region conveniently starts near the Mercer Service Centre, SH 1, Mercer. It is well serviced by long haul bus companies
InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz
Northliner Express Coach Service - P: 09 307 5873
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)
Rangiriri
InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)
Accommodation
Rangiriri Hotel - 8 Talbot Street, Rangiriri (pub, bar, food & accommodation) - P: 07 826 3467
- Keep to the track
- Respect private land
- Leave gates as you find them
- No litter
- No dogs
- No firearms
- No camping
- No fires
- Take all rubbish with you
(Start)
- Full range of amenities Mercer Service Centre
- Car park
- Toilets
- Shop
- Phone
- Accommodation
(On Route)
- No amenities
(End)
- No amenities
- Accommodation & food at the Rangiriri Hotel, Rangiriri Road, Rangiriri, Phone 07 826 3476
