Waituhi Saddle is a climb of 14.2 kilometers (category 1). The climb finishes at 894 m above sea level. It is located in Taumarunui, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand / Aotearoa. The average gradient is 4.4% with a maximum of 12.9%. The climb has 618 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty analysis: At 14.2 km, with 618 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 4.4%, the Waituhi Saddle is a demanding climb, rated Category 1. Its difficulty lies mainly in its consistency: the gradient hovers between 3% and 8% over almost the entire climb. The steepest sections are between km 5.0-6.0 (7%) and km 7.0-8.0 (8%), which make up the heart of the effort. The 0% stretches at km 3.0-4.0 and km 10.0-11.0 do offer welcome breathers, though.
Tips for the effort:
1. Pace yourself from the start Ride the first kilometres at 5 and 6% with a moderate effort so you have something left for the second half of the climb.
2. Make the most of the flat sections Use the 0% stretches at km 3.0-4.0 and km 10.0-11.0 to pick up the cadence, drink and fuel up.
3. Prepare for the 8% section Tackle km 7.0-8.0 with a gear ratio that suits you and a smooth cadence, then stay cautious on the short final descent at km 14.0-14.2.
The Waituhi Scenic Lookout sits up on the hill, turning off Route 43 between Taumarunui and Turangi. Riders who stop there mostly talk about the view of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, when the sky is clear. At the top, a small tower with a steel staircase gives access to the platform. Some have seen snow on the peaks, even in summer.
The climb is on a narrow road, single-lane in places, and in rough condition. Several accounts warn that if a motorhome or a big vehicle comes the other way, you need to know how to back up or tuck in. Better to take it easy and keep your eyes open.
The point that comes up most often is the vegetation. The trees have grown a lot and block part of the view, especially to the west, where Mount Taranaki is no longer visible. Many people are asking for them to be trimmed. Timing matters too: mist, low cloud or bitter cold have sometimes meant there was almost nothing to see.
There are no toilets on site. Several people also noticed rubbish along the roadside and at the top, a full bin and a bad smell during one visit. As for the atmosphere, you can hear the birds, and you may run into a rooster and some hens hanging around the car park. It's a quick stop to stretch your legs or catch your breath during a ride, but not a place to linger.
14.2 km • 618 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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