Waihī to Waihī Beach Cycleway

This is a planned cycleway where the main route from Waihī to Waihī Beach is not yet under construction.

Timing

Timing of construction is subject to land owner agreement. Development of local loop trails within the Waihī Beach water catchment reserve and forestry block have started. A new walkway track to the Trig above Waihī Beach is completed. A future lookout platform will be constructed to enhance the experience.

Length

The total length is about 14.6km long.

The route

View a map of the proposed cycleway here.

The identified route is on a mix of private and public land. It heads across country from Waihī to the northern end of Waihi Beach where it arrives at the top of Council's forestry block before descending to the old dam and into the township. There will be great views from the look out point.

This is seen as an informal extension to the Hauraki Rail Trail, giving the opportunity to do a day's ride from Paeroa to Waihī Beach.

Progress report - latest update

The obtaining of access across private properties remains an ongoing priority with good progress being made. This will determine the actual route from Waihī to the Council's forestry block trails to Waihī Beach.

Within the forestry block, a mulching excavator (a mower that clears land without causing environmental damage) has cleared existing forest tracks which will be used as part of the route. Due to the steep terrain, permission from the Department of Conservation (DOC) has been obtained to route a section of the trail across DOC land to make the trail less steep. Once archaeological and Tangata Whenua approvals have been obtained, construction is expected to start later this year, subject to funding.

Council has completed a walking lookout trail from the dam to the trig above Waihī Beach. This route begins beside the dam before ascending to an elevation of around 145 metres, where a viewing platform next to the trig will be constructed, when funding has been obtained. This walk takes approximately 30 minutes with spectacular views over the coast, Waihī Harbour and the Kaimai Ranges.

The Waihī Beach Trails Trust has upgraded the loop track around the dam which included widening and surfacing of the existing track, and the installation of a new bridge. This section connects to the Trig lookout trail and to the future shared cycle trails (yet to be constructed). The Trust were successful in fundraising for this section of the network with a grant of $50,000 from the Lion Foundation.