The Timber Trail | Timber Trail

The Timber Trail - Great Ride

A journey through Pureora Forest Park and back in time

The Timber Trail is is widely regarded as being the best two-day mountain bike ride in New Zealand.

The trail follows old logging tramways and tracks through Pureora Forest Park. Its remoteness, stunning scenery, awe inspiring suspension-bridges, prolific birdlife and historic logging tramways also create epic appeal for the most hard core mountain bikers.

The Timber Trail Lodge at the half-way point - the perfect place to base your Timber Trail adventure.

Timber Trail biking packages

Our biking packages make planning your Timber Trail adventure easy.

Book your Timber Trail accommodation and shuttles in one place. We'll take care of the details, with all meals and bag transfers included.

All you have to do is turn up and enjoy the ride.

Biking packages

Trail details

New Zealand's best 2 day wilderness ride

The 85km Timber Trail runs through Pureora Forest Park in New Zealand's Central North Island.

Part of Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail, it is one of 22 Great Rides that make up the network through New Zealand.

Most people ride the trail in two days. You can expect to be riding between 4 and 6 hours each day. The northern half of the trail on the first day is more challenging than the second day on the southern section. Some choose to ride for one day only - we recommend the southern section (day two) if you are wanting a one day option.

The trail is grade 2-3 making it suitable for most moderately experienced and capable riders.

Official trail website

Timber Trail map

The Timber Trail Lodge is located in Piropiro, at the halfway point of the Timber Trail.

Most people ride the trail from north to south, starting in Pureora Village and ending at Ongarue.

Our biking packages start in Ongarue, where you can park your car securely and shuttle to the start of the trail. On your second day, you can ride in your own time back to your car in Ongarue.

See map (PDF)

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Timber Trail Lodge. The lodge is completely off the grid while still being modern, comfortable and welcoming. The food was outstanding and the staff were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend the lodge to those seeking nature and/or adventure getaways!

Natalie R

The whole team went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Great food and endless tea! Accommodation was comfortable. Worked seamlessly with the Timber Trail Shuttles before and after the trip. Thank you!

Lucy - Aug 2021

We were well looked after. The team at the lodge were friendly and knowledgeable. The food was AMAZING and a real highlight for our always-hungry teenage sons. Lovely accommodation. Very informative commentary via Rob and great service from the bike hire/shuttle team. Top it off with stunning scenery and loads of fascinating history. A must do for families

Nikki J - July 2021

Great weekend doing the Timber Trail, 2 nights at the Timber Trail Lodge worked perfectly. Fantastic local knowledge and stories from Rob in the shuttle, Kia Ora Rob! Accommodation is superb, clean and comfortable rooms, great food after a good days MTB riding and a beer or 2 from the bar. Locally owned and operated with great stewardship of local environment and land. Thoroughly recommended!

Rob d - May 2021

Fantastic rooms, beautiful place and very helpful and friendly staff and fantastic food, catered for dairy free with ease and care. Beautiful setting and loved the beanbag on the deck. Loved everything. Thanks team Timber Trail Lodge.

Wendy

Loved this place. Family of 6 adults had a ball. Everything is well organised. Rooms excellent, great food.and a pizza to keep you going after your first days riding. You do need to be fit enough to get there! Go for the full package. It’s worth it.

Drivel K

Great value for money, awesome team looked after us so well. Totally recommend these guys you can not go wrong! Clean, new, licensed, comfortable, outstanding food, all amenities well serviced and no complaints from any of our guys.

Barry

Timber Trail highlights

A journey back in time

The purpose-built trail offers a unique glimpse into the history and stories of this very special area.

The Timber Trail is known for its bridges. There are 35 bridges along the trail, including the longest at 141m, Maramataha Bridge.

Discover historic relics left by the timber loggers of times past, and marvel at engineering marvels like the iconic Ongarue Spiral.

Official trail website

Maramataha Bridge, Timber Trail New Zealand.

Pureora Forest Park

A conservation success story

Pureora Forest Park is one of the last remaining intact podocarp forests in the world, protected by environmental protesters in 1978, who climbed up into the treetops to prevent the logging of native timber.

A conservation success story, the forest is home to a range of native wildlife, including some remarkable birdlife, many of them rare and reclusive..

Pureora Forest Park