THE TIMBER Trail

BEST FOR: Wilderness adventures into one of the world’s finest, most untouched rainforests.

PUREORA to ŌNGARUE

2 days/85km

Timbeeeeeeer! The cry that once resonated through Pureora Forest came to a welcome end in the ‘70s when activists put a stop to forest felling. Within years, nature reclaimed the trees.

Before 2013, when the Timber Trail officially debuted, Pureora Forest was little-known, but fast-forward eight years and this remote track, deep in the forested heart of the North Island, now offers total escapism for riders of every ilk.

The track snakes through spirited soils; a land where 800-year-old rimu and kahikatea trees tower 60m above the floor, and where one of the world’s rarest, last remaining podocarp forests remains intact. The only indication of human existence are 43 suspension bridges crossing streams and gorges. The most exhilarating being the 141m-long Maramataha suspension bridge which drapes itself over the treetops like a spider’s web.

Other highlights include overnight stays at charming Blackfern Lodge, complete with its whio (blue duck) recovery programme, or the more intrepid Piropiro Flats’ campsite. Towards the end of the track, a 3km uphill assault is equal parts fatiguing and fulfilling, and is fortunately followed by a long downhill stretch on a former tramway.

Top Tip – The trail passes through subalpine environment with a high point of 971m; take warm clothes and wet weather gear whatever the forecast.

The Timber Trail © Studio Zag

TRAIL INFO

TRAIL GRADES:

PUREORA TO PIROPIRO – GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)

PIROPIRO TO ŌNGARUE – GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)

MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE & SAFETY: Mobile phone coverage is patchy and cannot be relied upon. Service is good near the Mt Pureora summit; signage along the trail indicates other hot spots. Trail lodges also have WiFi. Riders are also encouraged to carry a personal locator beacon, first aid kit; and notify someone of estimated arrival times.

DRINKING WATER: Minimal water stops along the trail, which includes drinking water from a stream. Although the water is clean you may choose to carry water purification tablets.

TYPE OF BIKE: A mountain bike is essential for the remoteness and terrain. Riders should ideally have basic mechanical skills and carry a tool kit.

Cycling through The Timber Trail © Jeremy Bright

Riding the trail

PUREORA TO PIROPIRO, 40KM

The trail starts at the Department of Conservation campsite and car park, well signposted from SH 30. It winds its way through the bird-filled, virgin forest of Pikiariki Ecological Area. Not far from the start, a short detour leads to a 1920s Caterpillar crawler tractor, long-since abandoned in the bush and now preserved as a rather peculiar memorial to the area’s logging past. After passing through an open area of regenerating native and exotic trees, it’s a gradual climb up the flanks of Mt Pureora into the ethereal Cloud Forest with its verdant moss, gnarled trees and wafting mist. A ‘whoop!’ or two is well deserved at the trail’s highpoint, 971m above sea level. It’s predominantly downhill for the rest of the day as the trail winds down the southern side of Mt Pureora and across the western flanks of the

Hauhungaroa Ranges. There is the occasional lookout on the descent. Around the 22km mark is the first of the trail’s amazing suspension bridges, the 115m one over Bog Inn Creek. This is quickly followed by another biggie, the 109m-long span over Orauwaka Stream. The trail continues downhill to Piropiro Flats where there’s road/shuttle access and accommodation – a DOC campsite, Camp Epic, the Timber Trail Lodge, and epic Black Fern Lodge a few kilometres away. In the summer months, Piropiro has a particularly special atmosphere as a stream of bikers, walkers and hunters bring this usually quiet area to life.

PIROPIRO TO ŌNGARUE, 45KM

The trail heads off on a logging road before re-entering native forest on a flowing section of gently climbing uphill singletrack. Around 5km in (at the trail’s 44km mark), the Maramataha Suspension Bridge swings into view. At 141m long and 53m high it’s not only an icon of the entire Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails, but also a thrilling experience with its wobbly crossing over a tumbling gorge. The bridge signals the start of the last major climb – the steady ascent to Ōngarue Tramway terminus, the final station of the original Ellis and Burnand Tramway. From here the trail follows the old tramway in a generally downhill direction, with the occasional short uphill. In places, the tramway cuts through sheer rock faces shrouded in thick native bush, seldom reached by the sun’s rays. Scattered along the way you’ll see remnants of the area’s logging past, and cross more bridges including the handsome 89m-long Mangatukutuku Suspension Bridge – a great spot for a picnic.

Around 10km from the end is the Ōngarue Spiral. The finer points of this engineering marvel are explained in the interpretation panel alongside, but suffice to say that it’s pretty loopy with the bonus of a spooky old tunnel. It is also truly unique, being the only bikeable railway spiral in the world. The trail continues to Ōngarue, mostly downhill except for a couple of short pinches along the final section through felled forestry blocks and farmland. At around the 82km mark you will pass Bennetts Rd car park where you can be collected by pre-arranged shuttle. Fit riders can cycle an extra 26km to Taumarunui via the Ōngarue Back Rd, the undulating and farmy Timber Trail Connection Heartland Ride that forms part of the world-famous Tour Aotearoa. This is a pleasant and possibly essential option for those who haven’t arranged shuttle collection back to town.

The Timber Trail © Studio Zag

A true wilderness experience

Winding through ancient podocarp forest as well as regenerating forest in the Pureora Forest Park. The reserve was established in 1979 due to pressure from conservationists alarmed that native species logging was happening in the area. The government stepped in to protect the precious remnants of indigenous forest featuring rimu, tōtara, miro, mataī and kahikatea. The reserve takes in 78,000ha of virtually uninhabited land within South Waikato and Waitomo. Take a guided tour to learn more.

Birdlife is an integral part of the Timber Trail experience. New Zealand natives abound including bellbird, tūī, kaka (bush parrot), kererū (pigeon), kākāriki (parakeet) and even the rare kārearea (New Zealand falcon). Guests at Blackfern Lodge may see/hear rare blue ducks, kōkako and kiwi. This luxury abode is located at 1847 and 1731 Ōngarue Stream Rd.

Sign along The Timber Trail © www.timbertrail.co.nz

Highlights of the trail

• Created from old logging tracks, information panels detail the trail’s history.

• There are 35 bridges including eight suspension bridges. The daddy being Maramataha Suspension Bridge: 141m long and 53m high.

• The Ōngarue system was built to help timber trams ascend and descend the terrain. Consisting of a lower bridge, a curved tunnel, a circle of track and overbridge, it’s now great for bikes.

• Podocarp trees such as rimu, kahikatea and tōtara are numerous and because predators are minimal, birdlife flourishes.

• Camp Epic is a glamping ground in Piropiro just off the main track and where total wilderness meets soothing hot showers. Hallelujah!

Accommodation along the way

Timber Trail Lodge

Officially the only on-trail accommodation along the Timber Trail, rest weary legs at this eco-friendly abode with a strong focus on protecting the surrounding natural environment, which is flush with podocarp trees and rare birds. There’s an impressive range of beers if you’re parched, endless cups of tea, fabulous food and a communal vibe. Come nightfall, sneak outside and admire the stars.

Blackfern Lodge

Tucked out of the way beside the Ongarue River, Blackfern Lodge is 6km off the main Timber Trail track but very easy to access. Enjoy a pristine setting surrounded by verdant bush and a pretty waterfall walk nearby. Total escapism comes in the form of cosy common areas, home-cooked meals and ice-cold beers enjoyed from a piping hot spa tub, lest we forget the staff, who go above-and-beyond.

Add-on Heartland Trails

TIMBER TRAIL CONNECTION: 24km/2 hours – Quiet back roads allow riders to bridge the gap between the southern end of the Timber Trail and the main service town of Taumarunui, without a shuttle.

CENTRE OF THE NORTH ISLAND: 50km/1 day – Linking the Waikato River Trails to the Timber Trail. Take the small detour to a monolith that marks the geographic centre of the North Island.

Itinerary enhancers

The Timber Trail is on the doorstep to many great places.

1. SHIMMY INTO WHANGANUI NATIONAL PARK

The Whanganui National Park is proudly home to The Whanganui River Journey, a New Zealand Great Walk which involves little walking and instead, multiple days of kayaking down the Whanganui River. This was once an important transport route for both Māori and European settlers in the region. Also here is the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail and gloriously rugged tramps. All of which will lead you to the handsome Bridge to Nowhere. This structure deep in the bush marks the area’s last stamp of civilisation before all hopes of settlement were abandoned.

2. MAKE TIME FOR TE KUITI

As The Sheep Shearing Capital of New Zealand where else would the annual New Zealand Shearing Championships be held? Proud of their sheep shearing heritage, there’s a giant 7.5-ton shearing statue at the town’s entrance. Visitors should also see the Tatsuno Japanese Garden with its Azumaya tea house and dazzling array of plants.

3. FIND NEVALEA ALPACAS

As the largest alpaca farm in New Zealand, this is the ultimate experience for alpaca fans. With over 900 friendly residents, get close to these soft and fuzzy fur balls; hand feed them; cuddle the crias (baby alpaca); take a short walk down ‘Alpaca Lane’ and pose for an alpaca selfie.

4. GET MORE IN TAUPO

Taupō takes almost any activity and amplifies it. Home to the largest lake in New Zealand, this great goblet of water is the same size as Singapore. Start by visiting the 10m-high Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings by boat tour or kayak. The rapids at Huka Falls are deafening, the geothermal energy at Craters of the Moon is immense and the highest water touching bungy in the country is here; why else would they dub Taupō the Adrenalin Capital of the North Island?

5. TAKE ME TO TARANAKI

There are few places where cone-shaped Mt Taranaki isn’t seen or felt. Located in Egmont National Park, hikes criss-cross the landscape or climb to its summit. At sea level, Surf Highway 45 is a 105km stretch of road between New Plymouth and Hāwera divided only by surfy beach towns. Taranaki is also home to 17 gardens of national or regional significance, New Plymouth’s contemporary art gallery, the Len Lye Centre, and the Forgotten World Highway: our oldest heritage trail.

6. WAITOMO IS LIT

Waitomo Glowworm Caves host the biggest concentration of glowworms in the country. How you see them depends on your disposition. Jump on a guided boat tour or try rock climbing through the caverns; abseiling, ziplining or tubing in pitch-black water. There’s also the small but astonishing Aranui cave, with its mass of white, pink and brown stalactites, as well as Ruakuri cave, a former sacred burial ground.

© Waitomo Caves

More mountain biking, please

ŌKAHUKURA LOOP: Albeit not technical, this 14km loop mountain bike track is rugged, rooty and better suited to skilled riders.

SELECT LOOP ROAD: Suitable for all skill levels, this Grade 1 track follows the forest on formed 2WD metalled roads. Along the7km loop, North Island kaka and kōkako birds lurk in the bush.

WAIONE TRAM MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACK: Tracing the route of an old tram line in Pureora Forest Park, this Grade 3 track is longand remote, stretching for 25km and taking at least six hours.