Experience the iconic Timber Trail with Track & Trail’s all-inclusive Timber Trail package. Ride 84 km of ancient forest, high suspension bridges, and rich history. Our comprehensive offering includes shuttle service, delicious meals, comfortable accommodation, and top-notch bike rentals. Join us for an immersive journey through the heart of Pureora Forest, where nature and history converge for a truly unparalleled cycling experience.
At a glance; two nights accommodation, all food and shuttle included…
Price: $485 inc GST per person for 2 nights
2-day eBike Hire: $148.00 inc GST human powered bike, $281.00 front suspension ebike, full suspension ebike $353.00. You can BYO bike
Time commitment: 2 days and 2 nights
BYO Dates: tell us your perferred days. Week days are less than weekends.
Who is it for: grade 2-3 cyclists, capable of riding 40 kms each day on well-formed forest track and gravel paths
Ride starts at: northern end of the Timber Trail (near Pureora Village)
Ride ends at: southern end of the Timber Trail at Ongarue
Total kilometres: 84 kms
Departs from and returns to: Ongarue secure carpark and base
Accommodation style: based on a couple sharing or twin share. Single supplement available
Best bike: ebike, hardtail mountain bike, full-suspension mountain bike
Timber Trail Package Itinerary
Drive to the Ongarue base to park your car, where a shuttle will pick you up and take you to the the Timbr Trail Lodge for your overnight stay. The following morning, the shuttle will take you to the northern entrance of Pureora Forest Park to begin the first day on the Timber Trail. You’ve probably heard a lot about the Timber Trail and you won’t be disappointed. In the first 13 km, you climb up to 990 m before making a long descent to the center of the forest. Keep your ears and eyes open for the kōkako re-introduced to the forest in July 2021. Kererū and kākā are also found here. We meet up at Piro Piro Flats midafternoon for a cup of tea and cake before returning to the lodge for a relaxed evening.
We restart riding on the Timber Trail at Piro Piro Flats. Today you complete the second half of the Timber Trail riding over swing bridges and railway cuttings and the famous Ongarue spiral. You might want to stop and read the many interesting interpretive signs detailing the history of the railway, or cool off with a dip in a stream or pause to look out from the many views to the west.
Map of the Timber Trail
Bikes, Food & Accommodation
Are you considering BYO bike? If you are driving to the start of the tour, you may like to bring your own bike. Hardtail, full suspension and ebikes are best for this trail.
You are responsible for the fitness of your bike. Please get it serviced before the ride. It will be doing 84 kms off-road and parts and service centres are not nearby.
Your bike must be able to carry 1 litre of water, your rain jacket, snacks, phone, spare inner tube and sunscreen so a handlebar bag, pannier or frame bag is recommended. Avoid backpacks as they put too much pressure on your sitting bones, affect your balance and are too hot in summer.
We offer a range of sizes across human-powered mountain bikes, front-suspension e-bikes, and full-suspension e-bikes (mostly top-quality Trek models). Stronger or younger riders usually love the feel and responsiveness of our traditional mountain bikes, while older or leisure-focused riders often prefer the added boost of an e-bike. If you’re deciding on full suspension, we recommend choosing it if you ride rugged terrain regularly and will get full value out of the extra comfort and travel—otherwise, a front-suspension e-bike is more than enough for a smooth, enjoyable ride.
The tour includes all breakfasts, lunches and evening meals and snacks. We are able to cater for vegetarians but not coeliac. If this includes you, it is essential to advise us of this before your ride.
Typical meals Include:
- Breakfasts – fresh fruit, muesli, toast and spreads, Nespresso and tea.
- Lunches – picnic-style lunches, bread or rolls and filings such as cold meats, cheese & vegetables.
- Snacks – fresh fruit, muesli bars, nuts and baking.
- Evening meals at the Lodge.
Lodge accommodation is included for 2 nights of the tour. Accommodation is on a share twin basis. If you’re travelling alone, we’ll pair you to twin-share with another same-gender biker. If you do not wish to share a single supplement is available.
Safety comes first! Cell phone coverage is patchy in the Pureora Forest. Your group will carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and first aid in the Pureora Forest. Our T&Cs explain what we will do in bad weather.
Timber Trail Package: What’s included…
- Accommodation (single supplement is extra)
- Forest shuttle service
- Food
- Bike hire (optional extra)
- First aid & PLB
- Secure lock-up for your car at Ongarue base
- Ride safety briefing
Exclusions
The trip price does NOT include:
- getting to Ongarue
- on-trail guide or staff member
- support vehicle on the Timber Trail itself. There are a few evacuations points around the centre of the forest though.
- optional activities
- personal equipment
- byo bike repairs
- alcoholic drinks
- emergencies and evacuation