Hamilton Cycleways & Walkways

Hamilton’s cycling and walking routes have been developed over many years.

Personal safety

Always walk or cycle with others. Hamilton's wonderful river and gully routes are best shared with friends. Organise a group of friends to go walking or cycling and check out the sights together. Some of the walking and cycling routes share or cross roadways. Be careful when approaching or using these roadways - look out for motor vehicles and be prepared to give way at any time. Cyclists are advised to always wear a helmet.

Share with Care signs

Share with Care signs have been put in place on the Waikato River routes. These signs identify convenient circuits using the traffic bridges and give information on entry and exit points, route distances, facilities and points of interest along the routes. Cyclists are advised that there are short sections of the riverbank routes where dismounting and proceeding on foot is recommended. These sections can be seen on the map and are as follows:

• The steep hill near the Pukete Pa site,
• Beneath the Claudelands Bridge on the city side,
• The steep section on Jesmond Park between Opoia and Claudelands Roads, and
• Beneath the Cobham Drive Bridge on the Hamilton East/Hamilton Gardens side of the river.

Edgecumbe Park Trail

This pathway passes through changing scenery in a relatively short time.

A shared pathway for both bikers and walkers, you can take it from the Ferrybank river ride and connect to the on-road cycle lanes on Ulster Street. People of all ages and fitness who want a peaceful wander through inner city native bushland with a stream along side, with friends and family. If biking, please note there is a steep hill with a ‘please dismount’ sign from Ulster Street.

Hamilton City River Rides and Walks

This scenic walking and biking track follows the banks of the Waikato River through the heart of Hamilton.

You’ll see great views of the river, and there are park benches and grassy areas along the track for those who want to sit and watch the boats, birds and people go by. Towards the south of the river track you’ll find the Hamilton Gardens. These themed gardens are renowned internationally, especially for the Paradise Garden Collection – designed to showcase a history of gardens through time and a range of cultures. Explore the garden’s peaceful walks or enjoy the many picnic spots.

Hamilton's river paths are among the city's most popular paths with runners, walkers and bikers. These walks are wheelchair friendly, with many entry points, car parking, and conveniently located toilets.  Along the western (city) side of the river, the path runs the length of the city, from Cobham Bridge to Horotiu Bridge. The path is not continuous on the eastern side of the river, but provides great links to the city's bridges and other parks and recreational facilities, including Hamilton Gardens, Memorial Park and Munro's Walkway.  Path users can criss-cross the river using the seven bridges – Cobham, Anzac, Claudelands, Boundary Road, Fairfield, Pukete traffic and Braithwaite foot bridge. Due to the popularity of these paths, pedestrians and bikers are urged to share with care. Bikers should travel at safe speeds, and either ring a bell or call out to pedestrians to signal their approach.

Pukete Bridge loop

Pukete Bridge is a concrete box girder bridge spanning the Waikato River with a shared 3m-wide clip-on path on the southern side of the bridge.

The bike lane has an acoustic barrier of blue and yellow plastic panels, which prevents views of the river from vehicles on the south side. The yellow panels signify the kowhai trees lining the banks of the river, and the blue panels represent the water and sky.

Pukete Mountain Bike Park

Conveniently located at Pukete Farm Park, it is a great for riders looking for something close to the city, cramming lots of track into a relatively small, centralised area.

The largely flat track is surrounded by native tree plantings. Its easy contour is suitable for beginners and families as well as more advanced riders who will appreciate the track’s tight twists and turns, table top jump and the more rugged northern corner.  Grade 2-3.   

Pukete Farm Park links with other nearby cycling tracks such as Te Awa – The Great New Zealand River Ride and the shared Hamilton City River Rides and Walks.

Resolution Drive link to Waikato Expressway

New shared paths beside Resolution Drive, and a pedestrian underpass, are ideal for walkers and bikers in the area.  

You’ll find pathways on Reynolds Road that provide good pedestrian/bike connectivity for Osborne Road residents to Resolution Drive, Rototuna and Horsham Downs.

Western Rail Trail 

The Western Rail Trail Biking Path is a 2.7km off-road shared path which will utilise the existing rail corridor to connect Hamilton’s southwestern suburbs with the CBD.

Suitable for children, families, commuters and recreational bikers alike, the Western Rail Trail will provide a fun and easy way to get active.​ The route will travel the rail corridor from Kahikatea Drive, around the west of Lake Rotoroa, to Ward Park and the CBD. This location has been chosen as it provides connection between Hamilton’s southwest suburbs and the city centre, Hamilton Girls High School and Wintec City Campus.​

Tauhara Park and Mangaiti Gully

Tauhara Park covers a large area and includes a diverse range of landscapes and activities, including an adventure playground and mini golf facility on the Callum Brae side of the park.

The Kirikiriroa Stream runs along the bottom of the gully area of Tauhara Park and includes a shared path - an easy link for people to get from Rototuna into Chartwell without having to be near busy roads. Some sections of the path are surrounded by native bush, making it feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The River and Sandford Park

Sandford Park is a sprawling park with a river path that goes through the Mangakotukutoku Gully from Peacockes Reserve Esplanade to the Te Awa River Ride at Cobham Bridge. There’s also a large, multi-use adventure playground.

You’ll find car parking on Fitzroy Avenue with access to a loop through Sandford Park surrounding the residential area.

Te Awa – The Great New Zealand River Ride

The Hamilton River Path section of the Te Awa River Ride runs the length of the city along the Waikato River. 

A key tourist attraction, this shared path provides an attractive, bike- and pedestrian-friendly connection between the river, green spaces and the city. It is also a quick and accessible route into the central business district from many suburbs. The River Path builds on the Te Awa River Ride, providing access to the Waikato River and the Hamilton Gardens. 

West Town Belt

The West Town Belt is a 54ha swathe of green space framing the western edge of central Hamilton.

It extends for 3km from Hamilton Girls' High School in the south to Edgecumbe Park in Whitiora, connecting the Hamilton Lake Domain to the Waikato River.  It includes nine parks, the historic Hamilton West Cemetery, Seddon Park cricket ground, and FMG Stadium Waikato.  Plans are underway to create a pathway network along the West Town Belt to link the Hamilton Lake Domain to the Waikato River.

Bike Hire

• River Riders Electrify NZ