Waihi Beach forest trail work starts soon
A map of the track closures and user entry points during construction.
Work has started on extending the Waihi Beach forest trail network with a new connection to the dam loop trail. The forest trail is separate to the trig trail and wide enough for both walkers and mountain bikers.
The new forest trail construction area will be closed off and supervised by contractors to ensure no one enters. The existing Trig Track, will remain open but is only accessible via the track entrance at the end of Oceanview Road.
The walk track around the reservoir will also be closed to allow access for machinery and materials during construction.
Contractors started work this week and, weather permitting, the initial trail work will take three weeks to complete, with subsequent retaining wall work that may continue afterwards.
Iwi, the community and Council held a sod turning and karakia on 19 February to mark the start of the project.
During the construction period, trail users must access the trig walk at the entrance on Oceanview Road. The carpark on Pacific Road/ West Street will remain open but access to the trig will be via the small walking bridge to Oceanview Road.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council thanks Ngāti Tara Tokanui of the Hauraki Collective and Te Whānau a Tauwhao Hapū of Ngai te Rangi and the wider Waihi Beach community for their ongoing support of this community project.
Council also thanks the Waihi Beach Cycle Trails Charitable Trust which, with the Waihi Beach Community Board, has ensured funding for the loop completion.
The new forest trail connects to the trig trail but the trig trail section is not for use by bikes, only walkers. The new forest trail is for shared use. Bike riders must make the return trip via the forest trail only.
The trig trail for walkers has proved extremely popular since it opened in 2016. The 45-minute walk to the top of the summit offers a mix of contour, some steep, but the reward at the summit is an exceptional view over the Western Bay and offshore islands. The completion a walking loop trail provides further recreation opportunity and more shaded trails.
