Ngaruwahia to west of Hamilton

29.2 km - 5.25 hours

The next section of Te Araroa involves some walking on a busy stretch of SH1, waiting for a walkway to be built along the south bank of the Waikato River. My scout had been sent out earlier to check out the new walkway, but nothing much happening, so my alternative route was to cross to the north bank and follow a more minor River Rd all the way to Hamilton - at times still able to hear the traffic on SH1.

I crossed to the south bank again on a pedestrian bridge, so picking up with the Te Araroa route again very soon after it actually hits the walkway alongside the river. This delightful walk and cycle way took me all the way into the centre of Hamilton - what a real treat that is for the city to have such a pleasant traffic free walk in the middle of the city (pic).

From there a scoot across to Lake Rotoroa, and then via a few roads to Tills Lookout on the west of the town. And there I was with views all around and the path leading to ... Mt Pirongia, where Te Araroa will take me soon. From the lookout the path took me down into the Taitua Arboretum, for a gentle walk amongst the trees to the carpark and my pickup for the day.

Back there hopefully at Easter.

Huntly to Ngaruwahia

19.2 km - 5 hrs 20 minutes

From the Huntly power station, there is a road walk through the western side of the town, and then staying on that side of the river, on south to the start of the Hakarimata Walkway.

That starts off as a good class walking track - if you don't mind the hundreds of well made steps - up to lookout points back up north (picture - Waikato River and Huntly town). As promised, after that it becomes a standard tramping track that goes up and down the bush clad ridge that looks down on the Waikato River and SH1 on its way from Ngaruwahia to Taupiri - with even the sound of a train from time to time.

And then a steep downhill track, which near the bottom becomes a well made walking track past the Mangarata reservoir and waterfall, taking me all the way into Ngaruwahia.

A shorter time than expected, but at the moment with everything so dry, it is fast walking / tramping, with no mud or slippery tracks to slow me down.

Mercer to Huntly

42 km - 8.5 hours

From Mercer there is a short up and down track that runs parallel to the main road, providing a great view of the Waikato River and taking me to the Whangamarino Redoubt historical site.

From there it was a walk alongside SH1, but fortunately a wide verge, so no big deal. Escaped into a diversion via Meremere township, then back to the main road, before heading off for the river after a short while. Then on stop banks and other riverside paths for quite a few kms heading south. After the Pumphouse site a bit of a toss up between the quiet road and the parallel stop bank, all the way through to the bridge at Rangiriri.

Across the river there, and then on stop banks almost all the way to the Huntly Power Station - a bit like walking on a rail trail, as for most of the way the stop banks are some distance from the river, and wind their flat way through (very dry) paddocks, behind houses and away from the road.