Rotary Ride, Spa Park to Huka Falls

Near Taupō in Waikato, Rotary Ride, Spa Park to Huka Falls runs 5.6 km.

Rotary Ride is the mountain-bike track from Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls on the true right bank of the Waikato River. DOC's page calls it "primarily a mountain bike track, but walking is not prohibited", so walk it expecting bikes, and keep the dog close on the blind corners and where the two-way track splits into one-way single track. The walkers' track, the Spa Park to Huka Falls Walk, runs closer to the river between the same two ends and is the quieter choice with a dog. Both start from the Spa Thermal Park car park on County Avenue, off Spa Road at the northern end of Taupō, and both cross the Otumuheke Stream, a naturally hot stream, soon after leaving the park. Sections of the walkers' track run beside cliff edges above the river, and DOC warns that the Waikato here is deep and fast flowing, so this is not a swim walk. Dog rule: DOC's page for the Rotary Ride and Waikato River Track reads "Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times." The car park and the start are inside Spa Thermal Park, a Taupō District Council off-leash exercise area (excluding the children's play equipment area) under the Control of Dogs Bylaw 2021; the council also asks that you carry a leash at all times. The Huka Falls car park at the far end is locked overnight from 5:30 pm to 8:30 am with a $30 release fee, so if you are arranging a pick-up there, be out before then.

It sits at the moderate end and gains roughly 80 m, pitching up to 21 % at its steepest, and takes about 1h 14m to walk.

Dogs are welcome here.