6 minute read
THE TIMBER TRAIL
PUREORA to ONGARUE
2 days - 85km
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© AA Traveller 2022
Timbeeeeeeer! The cry that once resonated through Pureora Forest came to a welcome end in the 70s when activists put a stop to forest felling. Within years, nature reclaimed the area.
Before 2013, when the Timber Trail officially debuted, Pureora Forest was little-known, but fast-forward ten years and this remote track, deep in the forested heart of the North Island, now offers total escapism for riders of every ilk.
The track snakes through spirited soils; a land where 800-year-old rimu and kahikatea trees tower 60m above the floor, and where one of the world’s rarest, last remaining podocarp forests remains intact. The only indication of human existence are 43 suspension bridges crossing streams and gorges. The most exhilarating being the 141m-long Maramataha suspension bridge which drapes itself over the treetops like a spider’s web.
Other highlights include overnight stays at charming Blackfern Lodge, complete with its whio (blue duck) recovery programme, or the more intrepid Piropiro Flats’ campsite. Close to the middle of the track and just after the Maramataha Bridge, you’ll strike a 3km uphill assault which is equal parts fatiguing and fulfilling, and is fortunately followed by a long downhill stretch on a former tramway.
© TimberTrail.NZ
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
PUREORA TO PIROPIRO – GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)
PIROPIRO TO ONGARUE – GRADE 2-3 (EASY TO INTERMEDIATE)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE & SAFETY: Mobile phone coverage is patchy and cannot be relied upon. Service is good near the Mt Pureora summit; signage along the trail indicates other hot spots. Some accommodation offers WiFi. Riders are also encouraged to carry a personal locator beacon, first aid kit; and notify someone of estimated arrival times.
DRINKING WATER: 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.
TYPE OF BIKE: A mountain bike is essential for the remoteness and terrain. Riders should ideally have basic mechanical skills and
© The Timber Trail
RIDING THE TRAIL
PUREORA TO PIROPIRO, 40KM
The Pureora trailhead and car park is well signposted from SH 30. It winds its way through the bird-filled, virgin forest of Pikiariki Ecological Area. Not far from the start, a short detour leads to a 1920s Caterpillar crawler tractor, long-since abandoned in the bush and now preserved as a rather peculiar memorial to the area’s logging past. After passing through an open area of regenerating native and exotic trees, it’s a gradual climb up the flanks of Mt Pureora into the ethereal Cloud Forest with its verdant moss, gnarled trees and wafting mist. A ‘whoop!’ or two is well deserved at the trail’s highpoint, 971m above sea level. It’s predominantly downhill for the rest of the day as the trail winds down the southern side of Mt Pureora and across the western flanks of the Hauhungaroa Ranges. There is the occasional lookout on the descent. Around the 22km mark is the first of the trail’s amazing suspension bridges, the 115m one over Bog Inn Creek. This is quickly followed by another biggie, the 109m-long span over Orauwaka Stream. The trail continues downhill to Piropiro Flats where there’s road/shuttle access and accommodation – a DOC campsite, Camp Epic, the Timber Trail Lodge, and epic Black Fern Lodge a few kilometres away. In the summer months, Piropiro has a particularly special atmosphere as a stream of bikers, walkers and hunters bring this usually quiet area to life.
PIROPIRO TO ONGARUE, 45KM
The trail heads off on a logging road before re-entering native forest on a flowing section of gently climbing uphill singletrack. Around 5km in (at the trail’s 44km mark), the Maramataha Suspension Bridge swings into view. At 141m long and 53m high it’s not only an icon of the entire Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails, but also a thrilling experience with its wobbly crossing over a tumbling gorge. The bridge signals the start of the last major climb – the steady ascent to Ongarue Tramway terminus, the final station of the original Ellis and Burnand Tramway. From here the trail follows the old tramway in a generally downhill direction, with the occasional short uphill. In places, the tramway cuts through sheer rock faces shrouded in thick native bush, seldom reached by the sun’s rays. Scattered along the way you’ll see remnants of the area’s logging past, and cross more bridges including the handsome 89m-long Mangatukutuku Suspension Bridge – a great spot for a picnic. Around 10km from the end is the Ongarue Spiral. The finer points of this engineering marvel are explained in the interpretation panel alongside, but suffice to say that it’s pretty loopy with the bonus of a spooky old tunnel. It is also truly unique, being the only bikeable railway spiral in the world. The trail continues to Ongarue, mostly downhill except for a couple of short pinches along the final section through felled forestry blocks and farmland. At around the 82km mark you will pass Bennetts Rd car park where you can be collected by pre-arranged shuttle. Fit riders can cycle an extra 26km to Taumarunui via the Ongarue Back Rd, the undulating and farmy Timber Trail Connection Heartland Ride that forms part of the world-famous Tour Aotearoa. This is a pleasant and possibly essential option for those who haven’t arranged shuttle collection back to town.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
• Camp Epic is a glamping ground in Piropiro just off the main track and where total wilderness meets soothing hot showers. Other accommodation along the way include Timber Trail Lodge and Blackfern Lodge.
• Created from old logging tracks, information panels detail the trail’s history. Suspension Bridge: 141m long and 53m high.
• The Ongarue system was built to help timber trams ascend and descend the terrain. Consisting of a lower bridge, a curved tunnel, a circle of track and overbridge, it’s now great for bikes.
• Podocarp trees such as rimu, kahikatea and totara are numerous and birdlife flourishes.
• Visit the adorable Nevalea Alpacas in Ōngarue.
© TimberTrail.NZ
