the timber trail, pureora forest

Some of the most amazing bush and history in the central North Island. A thoroughly memorable experience. We did the 2nd half of the trip finishing at Ongarue a 42.5km ride. 5 hours riding for two semi fit 46 - 52 yr olds. Thanks to Paul from Epic Cycle Adventures for the bike hire and shuttle service. We will be back to do this again with family and friends

We hired bikes from Paul Goulding of Epic Cycles and found him extremely helpful He supplied helmets, jell seat and water..He shuttled our bikes to beginning of track and talked us through what to expect. We went from Ongarue to the first suspension bridge approx. 13 kms. It took us 3 hours with plenty of rests to get there and 1hr 20 mins for the retrun ride which was downhill. Paul even rode up to the bridge to check us out. It only took him 30 mins! Would recommend his company for bike hire and service.

We took the two day cycle, 40km per day. The first day of the track from Bennydale was hard work and not all that rewarding, but then we hadn't been on a bike in years. if you do a bit of biking then you probably would find it much easier. We camped at piropiro doc camp which is basic, but all you need. The second day was fantastic. Beautiful scenary, rock faces, suspension bridges, old rail relics, and some fantastic long downhill rides - it made the first day worth it. For anyone like us of moderate fitness but not used to riding bikes, do the second day for a challenge. For anyone else who can comfortably ride 20km or spend several hours mountain biking, you may find it a but tame, but its beautiful and you get to wear the badge of honour to say you biked 84km in one weekend! We had a soak at Tokaanu Hotpools afterwards which helped a lot.

We road the timber trail over 2 days. The first day was a little challenging, it's starts with about a 3 km track through some of the most beautiful nz bush I have been in, then is about a 12 km climb to the summit. Awesome swing bridges and great point of interest boards with the history of the area. We rode the track mid week and didn't see anyone else on it which was quite nice. We took about 5 hours to do the 40 kms but we take lots of stops to enjoy the scenery. We caught the Pa Harakeke shuttle from Piropiro flats back to their accommodation which was great. The second day we drove to the end of the trail at Ongarue and Paul from Epic Cycle Adventures shuttled us back to Piropiro flats. This half of the trail is an easy ride if you have average fitness with only 1 hill climb and an awesome down hill stretch. Again the scenery is amazing and the swing bridges quite remarkable. The spiral is very cool but be warned to remove sunglasses before entering as it is quite dark. We took our togs and found a nice little spot at the 61 km mark to have a dip and cool off. This half of the track took us about 4 1/2 hours again with lots of stops. All round a great ride.

Did this with family, including an 8 & 10 yr old boys, both were keen bikers, the younger one did get towed up some of the uphills, both on 24" bikes. We rode Piropiro Flats to Ongarue (45km), which we were told was the best section. Amazing bridges (one was 141m long!) and the Spiral is super cool. Great interpretation along the trail, but didn't stop to read it all. The native vegetation and bush was awesome - flowering rata too!Relatively easy ride, not techinical but fun with a group. We shuttled cars to both ends which took just over an hour at the end to go and get, but shuttles are available too. Left vehicle at carpark on track at Ongarue end and the other in the actual campground area at Piropiro, as the trailhead carpark is out of the way and no people around.

We did the second half of the Timber trail from Piripiri camp to Ongarue. Parked at Ongarue and were picked up by our shuttle (Tread Tours) and taken up to Piripiri. The shuttle man (Ted) was very careful with the bikes and took time to strap them on so no damage could occur. He gave us heaps of helpful info on the drive in. I would certainly use him and his Taupo based business again. We started the 45 kms ride at 12:45. Carrying a camel back is a very good idea. After a few k's through scrubby stuff we entered the bush. We were super impressed by the tranquillity and beauty of the regenerating Tawa forrest. It got better an better as we went on. There is excellent signposting of the track and every kilometre there is a marker. Any points of interest have boards with easy to read history of that spot. The first impressive swing bridge is only 5kms in and really wets the appetite for the rest of the ride. A 3 km gentle climb sees you at the top and it is basically all downhill from there to the end. Rata was abundant and in flower as was Clematis. The Manuka was in full flower and was impressively white like snow. Rimu is everywhere and the experience of being in this pristine environment is good for the soul. Descending on a superbly smooth wide and safe track is a real buzz as it is steep enough to get up a good speed but not so steep as to be of concern. Frequent stops occur to read the numerous information boards. More swing bridges and a spiral add to the experience. From the spiral to the end of the track is exiting the bush and entering a forestry/farmland area. The downhill is a bit steeper and a real buzz. Our modest fitness levels were great for this ride as the majority is downhill. We completed it in 4 hours. We are now really keen to go back and do the first section. We would recommend this piece of beautiful bush and track to anyone.

Booked a 2 person cabin by phone, the website said $25 per person per night but were told it was $40. The letter of confirmation also said $40. We wanted to birdwatch in the forest so we chose this accommodation to be close to it, a big mistake, better to get some proper accommodation further out and travel in.We used backpackers and youth hostels in New Zealand for a month and in every way this was the worst place we stayed at and one of the more expensive ones. The place was very cold, very spartan,had inadequate equipment and signs to avoid the rat traps. There was also nobody on site to speak to, the key was left for us in an envelope which took a while to find as we were not told about it, the office should have been open after 2pm but wasn't. Our $80 had to be posted through the letterbox next morning, they were lucky to get it, it would have been expensive and poor value at $50.I had to review this accommodation on this site as I couldn't find any other place for it.

To really enjoy this adventure you need to be fit, have mountain biking or forest biking confidence and experience and a good dollop of "biking savyness!" It is not for the faint hearted or the unfit. It is an excellent bike trail with stunning views, wonderful suspended bridges, exhilarating downhill runs and some long tiring uphill slogs! Two of our group only managed the first day (in hindsight I would forgo Day One and just do Day Two as it's easier and ends with a 30km downhill ride.) There's absolutely no cellphone coverage, however, with lots of cyclists on the trail there's always someone around. We stayed at the quirky, unique backpackers known as The Forge at Blackfern Lodge and can highly recommend it.

just the best off road cycle trip we have ever done. Just do it! Great cycling, scenery to die for, majestic trees, wildlife......

What a tremendous weekend. Started with a wonderful overnight at the Timber Trail Farm Stay, hosted by Carol and Glenn. A lovely location, quiet, scenic and very well appointed. I particularly loved the wood burners to get the place lovely and warm very quickly.The following morning we were on the shuttle bus, driven by Ian, from Ongarue at 7.30 and started the ride just after 8.30. A perfect start through some wonderful bush with our climb to the highest point of the ride taking 1:30. A steady but not too demanding climb at the end of which we arrived in some very spectacular old growth forest. The first part of the ride was along very well maintained trail but from this point on the trail became a little variable and needs a little additional work to match the earlier standard. We were very lucky with the weather, with not a drop of rain for the entire ride despite very heavy rain the previous day.This was the longest one day ride that I have done and I have to say never once did I think "I wish this would end". The views were wonderful, the downhills exhilarating without being dangerous and our time, at just under 7 hours very satisfying for a couple of geezers. Well done DOC and thank you Carol, Glenn and Ian. A great experience we intend to repeat with our families, albeit over two days.

4th, 5th of October 2014 and Spring had well sprung, but we still experienced a heavy snowfall going over Pureora. Working hard going up, kept us warm. Another story going down in the snow, sleet, hail and rain. My fellow Manukau Tramping Club members were incredibly tough and did not moan or complain. We warmed up at The Forge. Thanks Tania for a well organized trip. The hire bikes were very comfortable as well.

I found it a push, 17y son found it do'able. Both very stiff after second day! Weather was forgiving: cool, with a little cloud/drizzle at the summit on the first day. Sunny and coolish on the second. Hardest part was the 6km off-track to Black Fern Lodge, which was worth getting to: great spot with waterfall a leg-stretching walk nearby; great food and service; lovely accommodation (but they're selling up ...). Their $5pp offer to give us a lift half way back to the track avoiding the hardest bit was a real boost to the beginning of the second day. Would highly recommend Pa Harekeke to sort pre/post trail accommodation, shuttles, bag transfers, bikes etc. Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable (avoid company that's nearer the trail - not responsive to queries and do not meet agreements). Bring your own day-backpacks, as panniers not provided. You may also want to check re. tyre repair kit needs. Overall, a tough but worthwhile trip - had the trail to ourselves apart from one other very keen (one-day trip) man and a friendly stray dog. Beautiful original forest. Each day can be done in 6 hours, including breaks, but you may want to allow yourself longer so that you can take time to enjoy the nature on offer (it will mean starting earlier on the first day). Second day is easier, but the 10km steady climb is a little demanding. It would be good if someone developed a more detailed guide so that cyclists can plan their stops around places of interest/beauty, rather than random rest stops. No shops, no cellphone reception (bliss!)

The Timber Trail is an 87 km mountain bike ride through the Pureora Forest in Central North Island. We stayed at Art Doc Gallery in Benneydale, hosted by Monica and Maurice. Day 1 Pureora to Piropiro: relatively steep climb to begin then undulating on well formed track (42km). Lots of photo stops. Need to be fit to really enjoy it but it is not a technical ride. Duration 5 - 6 hrs incl stops. Day 2 Piropiro to Ongarue: one hill to start then undulating on good track and forest road (45km). Fantastic new suspension bridges - up to 140m long and 45-50m high. Great fun. Duration 5 - 6 hrs with stops. Really good New Zealand native forest. Lots of history with the logging, tramlines and old machinery. Excellent track quality and well signed. We left the vehicle at Benneydale and the shuttles were all organised by Maurice.

I have just done the full trip over 2 days in winter conditions (15 july 2014). The track surface is good with tons of metal keeping (most of) the mud at bay even after heavy rain.Luckily for me I did not get down to Pureora from Hamilton until about 11am (had to watch the World Cup final first) and the Pa Harakeke folk advised I would not be able to get to Piro Piro by the shuttle pickup time of 3.30. The alternative was for them to shuttle me using a private forestry road almost to the top of the dreaded day one climb. It turned out this was a pretty good option as it was an easy run down to Piro Piro campsite from the top taking only 3 hours ( I was going pretty quickly on that lovely downhill ). So unless you really want to do that big climb and every one in your group is pretty fit and competent on a little bit technical terrain the shuttle up the hill on day 1 is a pretty good option.Day 2 is "grade 2" and much better suited to less confident riders.Dont even think about doing it south to north unless you are training for the coast to coast.Mike W from Whangarei

We chose a sunny winters day (8th July, 2014) to head south west from Rotorua to Ongarue, a 1.5hr trip. Arriving at about 9.15am, we picked up a shuttle (Timber Trail) to Piropiro, about a 40 min trip, finally departing on our bikes at around 10.15pm. We are a family of 4 (including 2 children, aged 12 & 14 years) and reasonably fit. The ride began with about a 5km ride undulating but gently climb to the first suspension bridge. Then a reasonable climb of about 3km before it levelled out to a gentle undulating slightly uphill climb for the next 21km. When we finally hit the 11km downhill section we thought we were in seventh heaven. The final 5kms consisted of a gentle undulating gradient to the finish in Ongarue. In all the ride took us 6 hours. This was largely due to my 12 years daughter wanting to have plenty of "rests" on the uphill bits. Considering it was the middle of winter the track was in amazing condition - it is slightly built up in the middle section so the water runs off down the sides. The scenery was amazing with waterfalls and bush vistas at every turn. We completed it at 4.10pm and were still fairly warm at that point. We all finished with a great sense of achievement and the pledge that we will surely do it again!