The Timber Trail

THE TIMBER TRAIL
THE TIMBER
Trail Info
Trail
2 Days
Rejuvenate your spirit with a ride through the
The Timber Trail is a back country
ancient forests of the Timber Trail and expect to
adventure and a measure of fitness will
be wowed by the views.
F
87km
ensure you enjoy the ride and minimise
the risk of any muscular injuries.
ollowing old tramlines and
You’ll be amazed by the incredible
a specially designed track,
scenery courtesy of eight large
the trail is a perfect weekend
suspension bridges, the splendour of the
Parts of the trail are quite remote and
TRAIL GRADES:
will require riders to be self-reliant or
PUREORA TO PIROPIRO
to hire a guide.
- GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
This 40km section can be ridden
forest and the sound of birdcalls
The trail rises to 980m above sea level
in either direction, although it’s an
Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo and
as you meander 87km across the middle
and can be cold, even on a summer’s
easier ride from Pureora to Piropiro.
Wellington.
of the North Island.
day. Riders are encouraged to carry
PIROPIRO TO ONGARUE
warm clothing and wet weather gear at
- GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO
all times.
INTERMEDIATE) There are some
destination within easy reach of
Taumarunui
named after Chief Ki Maru • 115km SW of Taupo
6 Marae St, Taumarunui
P: 07 895 8501
E: enquiries@alexandermotel.co.nz
• 45min to National Park Ski fields,
www.alexanderspamotel.co.nz
20min to The Timber Trail cycleway.
• Clean, warm modern units with free wifi
and Sky 50+ channels in all units.
• Off-street parking outside unit.
• Town centre 2mins .
• Enjoy the spa after skiing, hiking,
golfing, fishing, cycling or riding the rails
on Forgotten World Adventure.
• Restaurants nearby.
• Twin/double/family units with electric
blankets, tea/coffee, toaster, microwave
facilities. Continental breakfast available.
• Daily service.
• Tariff: $80 single, $110 double. Children
$10 extra. AA/SuperGold Card discounts.
uphill parts, but also a long downhill
The Timber Trail begins in Pureora Forest
stretch. Includes the Ongarue Spiral
Village and is accessed off
and the Maramataha Bridge.
SH 30 between Te Kuiti and Mangakino.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE:
The trail may also be ridden from
Cell phone coverage is minimal along
Ongarue, which can be accessed off
the length of the trail. Riders are
SH 4 between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui.
encouraged to carry an emergency
For cyclists wishing to ride a day section,
a third option is to begin in the middle
of the trail at Piropiro campsite on
Kokomiko Rd.
locator beacon.
DRINKING WATER:
There are 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.
Timber Trail forest © The Timber Trail
63
First
Shelter
Pureora
Ongarue
Piropiro
THE TIMBER TRAIL
8.5km
31.5km
30
47km
to Te Kuiti
MAP LEGEND
30
30
PUREORA
Link Road
Benneydale
old bulldozer
Pa Harakeke
open section
walking track
eam
Str
a
e
ta
ako
kok
a
g
n
Ma
optional route
walking track
train ride
Mt Pureora
1165m
start / finish point
Black Fern Lodge
point of interest
bridge
r
e
aru
Ong
e
Riv
Ongarue Stream Road
Harrisons Creek
hill / mountain
café/restaurant
toilets
ang
e
PIROPIRO
camping
car park
Ongarue-Waimiha
Road
Mystery Creek Triangle
aR
shelter
Maramataha Bridge
ga
1
ro
accommodation
state highway
1952 tramway terminus
No. 10 Camp
to Te Kuiti
4
ONGARUE
to
Taumarunui
Mangatukutuku
Bridge
Ongarue Spiral
No. 11 Camp
Ha
u
uh
n
Ngakonui-Ongarue Road
© AA Traveller 2015
RIDING THE TRAIL
Pureora to Piropiro, 40km
The first section of this ride is graded
Intermediate due to the climb around
Mt Pureora. Starting 200m from the DOC
Pureora Field Base on Barryville Rd, the
Timber Trail winds through beautiful
podocarp forest until the number 4 marker.
These first 4km are an ideal introduction to
riding for younger members of the family.
There are loops at that end of the trail to
extend the riding distance.
bridge, followed 1.2km later by another
forest, before levelling out towards the
bring you to a cleared area known as ‘the
bridge of 109m. Between markers 21-28
Maramataha Bridge. This is the longest
terminus’ just past the 47 mark; the most
the trail follows an old logging road mostly
and highest bridge on the trail at 141m long
northern point on the tramline. The trail is
downhill. There are some steep downhill
and 53m high. From the bridge, the longest
almost entirely downhill from this point to
runs between 25 and 26 – it is strongly
climb of the day (around 30 minutes) will
the end in Ongarue.
recommended to walk these sections.
Across the suspension bridge at marker
27 is a good place for a picnic or to pitch a
tent, with easy access to water, a toilet and
shelter. At marker 39 you will reach Piropiro.
If you are staying at Blackfern Lodge you’ll
need to ride 7km on a signposted side trail
From the number 4 marker the trail
(4.8km before Piropiro). This lodge is usually
climbs steadily through exotic trees and
booked out in advance.
regenerating bush to a shelter past the
number 8 marker. This is a good spot to rest
and enjoy the views. From the shelter past
Piropiro to Ongarue,
47km
the number 8 marker the trail climbs to its
highest point at 980m above sea level. Past
the 12km mark there is a track on the right
heading downhill. Do not take this track.
Riding to the number 18 marker is an easy
downhill ride including a 115m suspension
64
Waitomo Caves
water entering a cave • 75km S of Hamilton
Waitomo Lodge
SH 3, north end of Te Kuiti Ph: 07 878 0003 Fax: 07 878 8469
Email: info@waitomo-lodge.co.nz www.waitomo-lodge.co.nz
Waitomo District’s highest Qualmark-rated motel. Opened March 2008. 14 studio units, 6 x 1-bedroom
units. Super king-size beds in all units. Air-conditioned units available. Spa bath units available. 15min
drive to Waitomo Caves attractions. Walk across the road to award-winning Bosco Café for great food.
To Otorohanga
& Hamilton
Waitomo
Lodge
Bosco
Café
The trail from markers 39 to 85 is graded
Shopping
Easy to Intermediate. From marker 39
to 42 it is an easy ride through newly
regenerating forest. From marker 42 you will
climb steadily through tawa and tanekaha
3
To New Plymouth & National Park
Waitomo District’s highest Qualmark-rated motel