Waituhi Saddle is a climb of 11.6 kilometers (category 1). The climb finishes at 893 m above sea level. It is located in Turangi, Waikato, New Zealand / Aotearoa. The average gradient is 3.6% with a maximum of 10.2%. The climb has 419 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 11.6 km with 419 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 3.6%, the Waituhi Saddle is a steady first-category climb with no truly brutal sections. The real challenge is the repeated stretches at 4 and 5% between km 7 and 11, which slowly grind down the legs. The start is tough, with 7% over km 0-1, while the 1% section at km 4-5 and the slight descent at km 5-6 are the only real breathers.
Pacing tips:
1. Don't go out too hard. The 7% on km 0-1 is designed to blow your matches, so settle into a steady rhythm right from the bottom of the climb.
2. Make the most of the breathers. Use the 1% at km 4-5 and the descent at km 5-6 to recover, drink, and get your pedal stroke back without totally backing off the cadence.
3. Save something for the finish. The 5% at km 10-11 leads into the final 3% from km 11 to 11.6, so keep a kick in reserve for that last bit.
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.
11.6 km • 419 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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