Tour of Waikato, Stage 3 (Taumarunui)
Ruapehu’s largest town, Taumarunui is a great base for exploring Whanganui and Tongariro National Parks, Pureora Forest and beyond. Nestled in green hills at the junction of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers, Taumarunui’s rich history starts with early Maori (who named it ‘the place of big shelter’) and rolls through the railways and associated pioneering industries of coalmining, forestry and farming. Today this vibrant town is the launching point for a raft of outdoor activities, including Whanganui River canoe trips and trout fishing for which the area is world-famous. Other options include mountain biking through Pureora Forest on the Timber Trail, and taking the famous railcart trip with Forgotten World Adventures. Railway enthusiasts may also want to check out the engineering marvel known as the Raurimu Spiral, not far away.
Region: Waikato
City: Te Kuiti
Distance: 38.98 km
Elevation Gain: 535 m
Elevation Loss: 282 m
Difficulty: 360 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.28 FIETS
Avg Grade: 1 %
Max cat climb: 3
Min elevation: 58 m
Max elevation: 338 m
Ride Category: Rollers