Best Mountain Bike Trails in Hakarimata Scenic Reserve
Located 17km north-west of Hamilton in the Waikato, Hakarimata Scenic Reserve protects 1,850 hectares of native forest with managed walking and cycling options. The Hakarimata Rail Trail is the primary mountain bike route, a shared-use track following the former Ngaruawahia to Glen Massey Railway with access points from three locations. The reserve features diverse native forest including kauri trees, scenic views across the Waikato Basin toward the coast, and is home to native birds including New Zealand falcons, long-tailed bats, and various forest species. DOC manages the reserve as part of the broader Hakarimata Range scenic protection.
Trails
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 trails
Easiest
1.4m
2m
-9m
This easy walk follows the route of the former Ngaruawahia/Glen Massey railway. The railway was closed in the 1950s coinciding with the closure of the Glen Massey coal mine.Walking from the car park to the first bridge you pass a wetland restoration site which is part of Perry Quarry. The trail follows Firewood Creek through an area being replanted to a picnic site with toilets. From here, a short walk leads to attractive stream cascades. This is also the start of the southern section of the Hakarimata Walkway.Return via the same track.This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.