Last Updated: 24th May 2025

Beginner - Intermediate

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The Taniwha Marathon

Waikato River Trail Marathon

Wharepūhunga, Waikato

Submitted by Nick Barnes

Last Updated: 24th May 2025

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 44 ?

Gnarl Factor: 13 ?

42.7km

1005m

925m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, small hills only

Lakeside

Run Makeup

5%
95%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +4.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -4.5%

Garmin Course

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Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

6:00

Slow

4:45

Moderate

3:30

Fast

Starting at the Waipapa Dam you will head down the Western side of the mighty Waikato River. The track surface for this first section of your day is hard packed clay, the huge pine forest towers above and the hills start short but sharp. In the 8km following the Dam you undulate your way through old pine forests and traverse a number of board ways, then head up a tough climb and away from the river. From here the going gets easier, with magic views of the River below, before you pop out at the Maraetia Power Station. From there it's a gradual downhill for a few kilometres into the historic river side town of Mangakino (your half way point.)

The next 12km from Mangakino to Whakamaru Dam is a highlight of the day. You will enjoy the rolling gravel track as you hammer it through pockets of bush and across a number of sparkly new swing bridges with farm land and friendly cows to your right and constant views of Lake Maraetai to your left - stunning!

Crossing your last dam of the day, Whakamaru Dam, you will be straight back into quality trail! Now following Lake Whakamaru you cling to the bank, as the track winds its way east through a beautiful strip of native bush wedged between Ongaroto Road and the lake. The bush opens and you cruise through some spectacular lake side reserves for the last couple of km's before you finish at the truly magic Whakamaru Christian Camp, situated on its own Island surrounded by the clear waters of Lake Whakamaru.

A few dams and swing bridges.

Toilets at the start of the route.

There is parking at the beginning of the route at the reserve and at the Christian Camp at the end.

41 km

50 minutes

No

No

Easy.

Patchy.

Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Trail Legend

KA

Kevin Allen

has completed The Taniwha Marathon once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

The Taniwha Marathon did not disappoint. Despite the cold start (4 degrees), the trails are great and very easy to navigate. The fog covered some of the views, but made for some really cool scenes when it started to lift., and the day turned into a stunning sunny day. There are some steeper hills in the first 18km or so, but nothing too grunty. The middle part is quite flat and fast. The last 5-6km has a few steep little hills to test the legs.

The Taniwha Marathon is a great event. I recommend it to everyone.

Kevin Allen

May 25

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Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

Waipapa Dam to Maraetai

Waipapa Dam to Maraetai

Length: 29.8km

Level: Beginner