The Thames Mountain Bike Club has been given permission to construct two mountain bike and walking track bridges plus a boardwalk in the Karaka Valley.

They will be constructed by the club, with support from Land Search and Rescue and Surf 2 Firth race organisers, and then gifted to the Thames-Coromandel District Council when completed.

The Thames Mountain Bike Club will construct two mountain bike and walking track bridges and a boardwalk in the Karaka Valley. Photo: TMBC/Facebook

The club will fund the work with help from a $15,000 Trailfund grant it received earlier this year.

Once finished, the bridges and boardwalk will provide a high standard walking and cycling trail circuit for Thames which will connect the Karaka and Waiotahi tracks for recreational use.

'The new track structures will have more safety features than normal back country adventurer tracks, making it equally suitable for less-experienced walkers, including children.

'Located within 600 meters of the Thames urban area, the finished construction will provide day visitors to Thames with a safe 90-minute-plus hiking experience.”

The Karaka track, which was originally created to give access to mining claims, attracts walkers and tramping clubs, as well as being used for events like the annual Surf 2 Firth race.

LandSAR operations will also benefit with easier access from the Thames urban area for search and rescue operations in back country, previously impassable when water levels were high.

For more information or to offer to help visit the Thames Mountain Bike Club Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Thamesmtbclub