Whangarei
17.89°C
Whangarei
17.89°C
Waitakere City
16.98°C
Manukau City
17.11°C
Papakura
24.46°C
Hauraki
17.26°C
Waikato
17.67°C
Matamata
18.46°C
Hamilton
17.51°C
Otorohanga
18.52°C
Rotorua
16.6°C
Taupo
15.44°C
Tauranga
19.27°C
Kawerau
18.6°C
Whakatane
19.64°C
Gisborne
15.51°C
New Plymouth
16.98°C
Stratford
8.97°C
Ruapehu
14°C
Wanganui
17°C
Palmerston North
16.41°C
Wairoa
19.19°C
Hastings
18.84°C
Napier
18.49°C
Masterton
15.49°C
Carterton
15.66°C
Porirua
15.99°C
Lower Hutt
16.45°C
Wellington
15.79°C
Tasman
9.35°C
Nelson
16.27°C
Marlborough
3.22°C
Kaikoura
15.48°C
Christchurch
12.59°C
Ashburton
12.52°C
Timaru
13.37°C
Waitaki
11.32°C
Waimate
13.08°C
Queenstown
12.38°C
Dunedin
14.33°C
Southland
9.98°C
Gore
11.31°C
Invercargill
12.06°C
Blenheim
14.73°C
Te Anau
27.35°C
Wanaka
11.17°C
Kaikoura
13.38°C
Stratford
13.54°C
Upper Hutt
15.9°C
About
An easy, mainly flat track suitable for families and casual riders. It can be enjoyed in any direction, and started at a number of different points. This means shorter routes can be tailored to suit your particular needs. There is only one major climb on the trail, up to the Tongariro River Lookout at the northern end of the loop – well worth the effort when you reach the top and take in the view of the river, set against the backdrop of the mountains in the Tongariro National Park. From the high banks above the river, there are excellent views of the river’s calm pools and rippling rapids. Keep an eye out for trout or watch the fly fishing action - the Tongariro River is a world renowned fishery.
To complete the full 15 km loop without needing to cross busy SH1, start the trail at the Tūrangi i-SITE and use the underpass under the road – you'll join the trail at Taupahi Reserve.
Heading south you'll pass the Major Jones Bridge, then on through the Waikari Reserve and past the Tongariro National Trout Centre, before reaching the southern end of the trail at Red Hut Bridge. Cross the bridge and come back along the Tongariro River Walkway on the far side of the river, towards the Lookout track and the SH1 bridge. Here there is another underpass to take, before following the mosaic pathway back to the i-SITE.
There are many shorter options within the trail including the Waikari Reserve loop and the Taupahi Reserve track on the town side of the river, and the Lookout track and Tongariro Walkway on the far side. The Tongariro National Trout Centre is also on route, which is a destination in itself. Take a walk along the river’s edge, learn about the fishery, or visit the whio creche and freshwater aquarium.
This is a shared track popular with anglers, dog walkers and mountain bikers. Bikers give way to walkers. The river is home to the endangered whio; keep dogs under control at all times, and on a leash during whio nesting season (August to October).