The Timber Trail: Pureora - Ongarue

Track category

Mountain bike - Easy

Time:

Full trail: 2-3 days

Distance:

Full trail: 80 km, sections: 5- 23 km

Description

The Timber Trail is a new 80 km cycleway between Pureora and Ongarue, with much of the 2-3 day route in Pureora Forest Park. A family family-friendly cycling adventure on easy gradients and surfaces, the Timber Trail is one of several cycleways part of Nga Haerenga - the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

The first 8 km section from Pureora is open and ready for use. A larger component of the trail is due to be opened in November 2012.

Following historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads, and newly constructed track, this Grade 2 trail will feature over 50 bridges, including 8 large suspension bridges (the longest being 140 metres). It showcases the historic Ongarue Spiral which is currently being restored. It passes through magnificent podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and more open vegetation, offering extensive views of the surrounding landscape.

What is open now?

Pikiariki to mountain bush edge

Pikiariki to mountain bush edge (8 km)

The trail begins in the picturesque Pikiariki Ecological Area, about 200 m from the DOC Pureora Field Base on Barryville Road (be sure to head left inside the entrance way, or you will end up on the Totara Walk which is for walkers only).

The trail crosses a boardwalk then winds its way through tall podocarps. Listen out for birds, especially kaka, which are active in this section of forest. The trail crosses Whareana Road and then Cabbage Tree Road before winding up through an area of toitoi, cabbage tree, five finger and kamahi regenerating after milling. It crosses Tui Road, finishing at the shelter on Pureora mountain.

The section of trail beyond the shelter is still under construction and should not be accessed at this stage.

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

You may encounter walkers and hunters along the trail.

Crawler tractor loop (5 km)

This is a shorter option and involves returning to Pureora Village via Link Road. It is suitable for all ages.

Cycle the first 3 km of the Timber Trail then take the side track to the Caterpillar Crawler Tractor. The tractor was used to recover fencing material from totara logs during the 1930s - 40s. Continue out to Link Road before turning left and following the road back to the start.

Maraeroa cycleway (23 km)

This loop trail may be ridden from the beginning of the Timber Trail, or from Pa Harakeke, on Maraeroa Road.

The track is a combination of quiet country roads and native and plantation forests. It follows the Timber Trail for 6 km to Cabbage Tree Road then along this road, on to Austin Road, before crossing private land. The last 1.5 km is back along the road. Allow two hours for the full 23 km ride.

Getting there

The Timber Trail begins in Pureora Forest Village and is easily accessed off SH30 between Te Kuiti and Mangakino. Once it is opened, the southern section of the trail will be able to be accessed from Ongarue, via SH4.

Activities

Mountain biking and cycling

Track description

Plan and prepare

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

Check out a video of the track before you go