Just in time for Christmas, members of the public are being invited to come and walk Waihī Beach's new loop trail.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is excited to partially open the new trail next week on Friday, December 23, allowing everyone to try out the new extension over the holidays.

"The partial opening next week allows for the remaining forestry operations and trail work in the closed part of the work site to finish up," says a Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokesperson.

Council's Reserve and Facilities Manager Peter Watson says getting this trail open for Christmas is the result of some hard mahi from the wider team.

'We know people love to get out and walk these trails, and that at Christmas things get very busy – so we're happy we can give residents and visitors another walking option.

'And we know you're curious, but please wait for the site to open on Friday 23 December before checking the new loop trail out. It's important for everyone's safety.”

The new loop trail connects to the very top section of the existing Trig Trail – so walkers can go in both directions at the top. A return trip will take you around 1hr 15min walk, including the 300 stairs at the top of the Trig Trail. We recommend carrying water and sunscreen, and only tackling it if you're reasonably fit.

"Once trail and forestry work is complete, a large mānuka / native planting revegetation project will begin to replace the pine forest. Planting will begin in winter 2023 and go through to winter 2024," says the spokesperson.

"Trail works were made possible with support from forestry harvesting and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment's Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

"The new loop trail and existing favourite, the Trig Trail, are still accessed from the car park at the dam / reservoir. There are public toilets at the car park and the trails are dog friendly; but dogs must be on leads toward the top of the reserve as there is farm stock present.