The Te Awa River Ride is one of most accessible and scenic cycling and walking trails in New Zealand. Situated in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island, it is the longest concrete path in the country winding its way for 65km (40 miles) from Ngaruawahia to Cambridge to Lake Karapiro following New Zealand’s largest river – the mighty Waikato. Along the way, travellers pass farms, lakes, waterfalls, resting spots with picnic tables, glades, and forests. The trail is peppered with bridges and elevated boardwalks to allow passage through steep places.

It began in 2009 with a vision of the Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust to open up more of the Waikato River to our locals and visitors alike and connect our communities along the way.

Over the years it has slowly come together with discreet sections being linked up into one complete whole. For those who live along its route it provides a wonderful place to have a casual bike, walk, or jog.

We got out onto the trail recently to bike a portion from Cambridge to Tamahere; two towns along its route. These images are from our ride.