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Huka Falls & Waikato River Loop
Recommended duration for hire: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 6-8km
ABILITY: Entry to Intermediate Level
This ride is an 8KM loop track. It is 90 percent off road on two-way shared mountain bike & walking tracks. It is recommended for people who have a short time to ride or are new to mountain biking. It begins at our shop, then proceeds 1.2km down to the mighty Huka Falls, which is the most visited free natural attraction in New Zealand. You then head North following the beautiful Waikato river in & out of native bush. You cross the river & ride for a short distance beside a road before you rejoin the track, now proceeding South back to our shop. You can add in an extra out and back to the Geothermal river at the back of Wairakei resort
If you have time call into either Shooters Golf Driving Range or the Famous Huka Honey Hive Shop to learn about Bee's & maybe purchase some Manuka Honey. At the end of the ride be sure to visit the Hub Cafe if you are in need of Coffee or beautiful Food.
Huka Falls & Aratiatia Dam Loop
Recommended duration for hire: 4 hours
DISTANCE: 16.9km
ABILITY: Entry to Intermediate Level
This ride is one of our more popular rides. We recommend taking an E Bike on this ride to assist you along the way, unless you have a reasonable level of fitness to cycling.
It is very scenic, taking in Huka Falls before riding North to view the Aratiatia Hydro Dam which opens its gates 3 times a day, allowing a huge mass of water to flow from the dam.
The times the gates open is:
Winter: 10:00am/12:00pm/2:00pm
Summer: 10:00/12:00pm/2:00pm/4:00pm
Allow around 1 - 1.5 hours to cycle from our shop to the dam.
Some of the most memorable scenes from Peter Jackson's movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, are the dwarves escaping from the captivity of the Elves by hiding in barrels which were thrown down stream. Filming was done at two locations, the Aratiatia Rapids on the Waikato River, and the South Island’s beech tree-lined Pelorus River in the Marlborough region.
You then ride South on the Western side of the river, passing a crystal clear, very HOT Geothermal Stream.
On the ride back you can visit the Prawn Park for a spot of Prawn Fishing or have a beautiful Lunch over looking the Waikato River. Also you will pass Shooters Golf Driving Range & the Famous Huka Honey Hive.
At the end of your ride is the Hub Cafe for beautiful Coffee or Food.
