Get on Ya Bike
Fiona Thomson
We cycled the13.2km return trip from the Karangahake Gorge carpark, near the Karangahake Tunnel, to the charming Waikino Station Café. On some parts of the trail, mobile phone coverage can be patchy.
The 1100-metre long brick-lined tunnel was dry and well-lit, however a torch or cycle lamp also helps with visibility. Departing the tunnel, you ride straight out onto a dramatic bridge that crosses the river below, with road traffic crossing above the tunnel mouth. The trail is mostly flat, and the terrain easy, as it winds beside the Ohinemuri River.
Relics of the old gold mining era can be seen along the trail, with information boards and historic machinery providing opportunities for a break from cycling. The remains of the Victoria Battery were fascinating to explore, and provided several photo opportunities.
This was once a booming industrial area, where the mining battery operation could be heard from the town of Waihi, approximately 10km away.
The Waikino Station Café provided us with a delicious and leisurely lunch before our return journey. The café provides a variety of options to suit most dietary requirements and budgets.
This section of the Hauraki Cycle Trail is a great ride — a fellow APC member (Graham Leslie) hadn’t ridden a bike for years, but found this trail easily achievable.
The trail is mostly flat, and the terrain easy as it winds beside the Ohinemuri River.
The trail is mostly flat, and the terrain easy, as it winds beside the Ohinemuri River. ©2023 Fiona Thomson
The Waikino Station Café provided us with a delicious and leisurely lunch before our return journey. The café provides a variety of options to suit most dietary requirements and budgets. ©2023 Fiona Thomson