Intermediate
Venture deep into Pureora – a treasured forest full of ancient trees, birdlife, graceful suspension bridges, and Māori and European stories stretching back through the centuries.
Nature-lovers and history buffs will be utterly captivated by this unforgettable ride through a magical forest in the heart of the King Country. It’s a journey of secrets and surprises – from abandoned timber-milling relics, bush tramways and suspension bridges, to memorable accommodation at the trail’s halfway point. This is a deep wilderness experience achievable by competent riders of most ages, and one of the most naturally inspiring Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand.
Pureora Forest Park’s dramatic natural and human history unfolds along this journey, best enjoyed over two days to discover its secrets and soak up its deep-forest vibe.
An easy to intermediate adventure trail suitable for mountain bikes (and e-mountain-bikes), there is plenty of flowing riding as it follows old logging roads and tramlines linked with smooth new singletrack.
The Great Ride runs between the tiny settlements of Pureora and Ongarue. Around halfway, the old Piropiro timber-milling settlement is a wonderful place to wander and wind down on an overnight stop.
Usually ridden from north to south, the trail climbs steadily up Mt Pureora with an optional walking detour to the epic summit lookout. Tracking across the Hauhungaroa Range, it crosses a series of gorges on some of the longest suspension bridges in New Zealand – highlights of the entire Great Rides network.
Intriguing relics and storyboards reveal Pureora’s remarkable stories of the natural world, mana whenua (local Māori people) and timber-milling history. In the bush, birdlife flourishes thanks to the hard work of passionate conservationists.
Other highlights include the crazy old tractor crawler, ethereal cloud forest, and the engineering marvel known as the Ongarue spiral. But there are so many amazing sights on the Timber Trail that you’ll surely wish to return to ride it twice, or more.
A detailed description of this Great Ride, including maps and more information, can be found here.
Bike hire, shuttles and accommodation can be arranged with Epic Cycle Adventures(opens in new window), Timber Trail Shuttle & Bike Hire(opens in new window), and Blackfern Lodge(opens in new window) are all located near Ongarue. Taupō-based FourB(opens in new window) offer shuttles, bike hire and fully guided tours on the Timber Trail, Great Lake Trails and other rides around Taupō. Waikato based Riverside Adventures(opens in new window) also offers bike tour packages.
Timber Trail’s official partners can be found on the Great Rides of New Zealand(opens in new window) and official Timber Trail(opens in new window) websites.
An overnight stop at Piropiro is sure to be memorable thanks to a range of atmospheric accommodation. Packages with meals and transport are offered by Timber Trail Lodge(opens in new window), and by Black Fern Lodge(opens in new window) (self-catering also available) in its lovely bushy setting. Satisfying, self-catered glamping is available at Camp Epic(opens in new window), which offers transport options too, while there’s basic camping at the spacious DOC campsite(opens in new window).
Other accommodation partners can be found on the The Timber Trail(opens in new window) and Great Rides of New Zealand(opens in new window) websites.
Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails(opens in new window)
Timber Trail(opens in new window)
