The Timber Trail - Journey of Discovery

The Timber Trail spans the Pureora Forest Park between Pureora and Ongarue. It is nestled between the Western shores of Lake Taupo, Taumarunui and Te Kuiti (Waitomo).

The trail is one of several cycleways developed as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trails and passes through some of the last remaining podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and regenerating bush.

The Official Timber Trail website:

Timber Trail Ride Detail - Day One and Two - Highlights and Stops

Day One - Pureora to Blackfern

Starting on the bush fringe where a large sign indicates the beginning of your adventure.  Take the time to clean your bike (especially the wheels) and you shoes to protect the area from kauri dieback disease and other soil-borne diseases at the wash station.

Crossing the road, take a moment by the two large pou, signifying the start of your epic journey.

The first 15km of the ride is a gentle ascent of towards the highest point of the track as it sidles Mt Pureora.  These first few km are through virgin rainforest saved from milling – with its amazing podocarp trees dwarfing all who pass underneath.  The predator trapping programme in the area is ensuring the sound of birdlife in the morning is a welcoming cacophony – you may even be fortunate enough to have kākā parrots swoop past with their chattering call.

Around 3km in, you will come to a marked turnoff to a historic Crawler Tractor from the 1940s (left by a local bushman who was recovering tōtara for fenceposts). Take the short detour to see and understand the impact of machinery like this in breaking in the land.  After a couple of bridges crossing bubbling creeks, the trail emerges into open felled area and scrub.  From this point the trail climbs steadily for the next 5km to the shelter on the top of a cleared area before re-entering the magical forest.

The Forest edge shelter offers great views northwards and is a great place to take a short break.  Heading back onto the trail and into the cloud forest, climb a further 5km to the highest point at 971m.  This is a magical place with the trail winding through the stunted forest draped in hanging moss.

A short tramping track to the trig atop Mt Pureora (1,135m) is accessible from 13km.  Well worth the walk if the weather and time are on your side.  (Note – this is a one-way tramping track and footwear with sufficient tread are required)

Heading downwards for the next 8km the track offers brief glimpses of the Lake Taupō to the East along the way.

Further on at 22km your first suspension bridge of the journey is reached – and at 115m long it is worth a stop to appreciate the engineering feat.  This is one of eight significant crossings along the trail.

Take a short stop to appreciate the old Stump House at the 33km mark.  An interesting and humorous story of a unique home to tōtara fellers and their unique lifestyle.

At the 35km mark there is our turnoff to Black Fern Lodge with its own track winding up through the pine forest.

Day Two - (Blackfern) Piropiro to Ongarue

Enjoy a short adventure ride, to ensure you have a downhill to start your day. Back on the main trail heading through the pumice fields and gravel sections you will reach the centre of Piropiro. Leaving Piropiro, the trail passes through regenerating forest while gently ascending and descending to the Maramataha Bridge at 44km.  The longest (141m) and highest 53m) on the trail this also ranks as the third longest suspension bridge in the New Zealand.

Continuing to head South it’s a steady 30min climb up from the bridge before reaching the historic tramline, with easy flowing riding from here descending through the cuttings, past historic campsites to the Ongarue spiral.

The end of the line at the Tramway Terminus (47km) marks the start of the historic tramway route with remnants of a pioneering past including old workers huts, cuttings and bridges.

Toilets are located at Mystery Creek (53km) and No.10 camp (64km) along the way.

The Ongarue Spiral at 75km is an ingenious engineering solution with a loop in the main tram line easing the grade for the timber trains that made the 43m climb on this section achievable.  Interpretation panels do a great job of explaining how this marvel came to fruition.

This section of the trail is replete with interpretation panels, do take the time to pause and read - and discover many insights to our past and our present in this precious place.

The trail exits the scrub and plantation forest before crossing a sealed road where the track skirts the edges of farmland following an undulating trail before crossing a small bridge to the Bennett's Road carpark.  It is a couple of kilometres further on along a quiet road to Ongarue.

Explore our packages

Kowhai Package

From
NZD
$
245
2
Days
/
1
Nights

Prefer a later start? We meet you at Pureora for a 10am start, your vehicle is transferred to our Cottage in Ongarue Ride 40 kms into Blackfern, for accommodation @ Blackfern Lodge or Forge in either a Twin Single or Double En-suite room Bags transferred from Pureora to Blackfern, and to Ongarue on Day 2 Begin Day 2 with a 3km adventure ride on our Bush Lokey, for a downhill start Ride 53kms to your vehicle Meals and bike hire can be added at an additional cost.

Totara Package

From
NZD
$
245
2
Days
/
1
Nights

Our most popular option for a 1 night stay @ Blackfern 8:15 shuttle from our Cottage in Ongarue to Pureora for a 10am start. Ride 40 kms into Blackfern, for accommodation @ Blackfern Lodge or Forge in either a Twin Single or Double En-suite room Bags transferred from Ongarue to Blackfern, and back to Ongarue on Day 2 Begin Day 2 with a 3km adventure ride on our Bush Lokey, for a downhill start Ride 53kms back to your vehicle Meals and bike hire can be added at an additional cost.

Rimu Package

From
NZD
$
445
3
Days
/
2
Nights

Prefer a more relaxed 2 night stay with us? Arrive at our Cottage in Ongarue for a 6pm shuttle into Blackfern for accommodation @ Blackfern Lodge or Forge in either a Twin single or Double en-suite room. Shuttle from Blackfern @ 8:30am to Pureora for a 10:00am start, ride 40kms back into Blackfern Bags transferred from Ongarue to Blackfern, and back to Ongarue on Day 2 Begin Day 2 with a 3km adventure ride on our Bush Lokey, for a downhill start Ride 53kms back to your vehicle Meals and bike hire can be added at an additional cost.

Matai Package

From
NZD
$
445
2
Days
/
1
Nights

Arriving from different places or times? Drive into Blackfern for accommodation @ Blackfern Lodge or Forge in either a Twin single or Double en-suite room. Shuttle from Blackfern @ 8:30am to Pureora for a 10:00am start, ride 40kms back into Blackfern Begin Day 2 with a 3km adventure ride on our Bush Lokey, for a downhill start Ride 53kms to your vehicle which we have transferred from Blackfern to our Cottage in Ongarue, including your bags. Meals and bike hire can be added at an additional cost.

Discover our Accommodation

The Lodge

From
NZD
$
200

The Lodge comprises of 5 different en-suite rooms, and 1 with separate bathroom – ideal for couples, or groups – accommodating up to 12 people.  The perfect place to relax and unwind after a day’s exploring the region or cycling through Pureora Forest Park.  Enjoy a soak in the hot tub / spa under the stars at the end of the day.  Be amazed by our majestic waterfall, ‘whio’(native blue duck), native orchids, long fin eel, rainbow trout feeding, short tail bats, glow worms and exquisite bird life.  This is accredited to the Blackfern Ecological Restoration project started in 2005.A truly kiwi experience – unplug from technology and plug into nature!

The Forge

From
NZD
$
200

The Forge is situated a kilometre further downstream and comprises of 4 ensuite bedrooms, ideal for families or large groups.The rustic charm of the converted woolshed will delight you.Be amazed by our majestic waterfall, whio (native blue duck), native orchids, long fin eel, rainbow trout feeding, short tail bats, glow worms and exquisite bird life.This is accredited to the Blackferm Ecological Restoration project started in 2005. A truly kiwi experience - unplug from technology and plug into nature!

Ongarue Cottage

From
NZD
$
200

Blackfern Cottage is located at 50 Ongarue Village Road, Ongarue (20 mins from Taumaranui SH4) - at the southern end of the Timber Trail, only minutes away from all of the Trail Transport  providers. The perfect to stay the night before, or the night after your Timber Trail Adventure, or a handy stop over to the ski fields. Self catered option only.