Timber Trail Day Two | Time Out 2021-22 Pureora Forest

Robin Capper

17 May 2022 — 6 min read

Woke to a misty view from the Timber Trail Lodge, Piropiro. Better than the heavy rain I heard overnight...

Timber Trail Lodge, Piropiro, Pureora Forest

After breakfast got kitted up for a damp day and left my overnight bag for the transfer to base. It's nice having change of clothes for the lodge, fresh clean riding kit, and not having to carry it all on the bike!

Met Tony, the shuttle driver, again at the lodge. A few of the shuttle staff were going to ride the second part of the trail as part of training/experience.

Leaving Timber Trail Lodge, Piropiro

Today's ride follows the trail from Piropiro to the trail end on Ngakonui - Ongarue Road, a few kilometres from the Ongarue Shuttle base where I'd left my car.

Maramataha Bridge

First highlight, after about 30 minutes climbing, from the Lodge is the trail's longest bridge: Maramataha. NZ's third longest, it spans 141m (463 ft) across, 56m (183ft) above, the valley. Like yesterday it was calm so the odd riding a moving surface, rolling wave, along the bridge was apparent.

Even with the misty drizzle the views are spectacular. It was warm, for the season, so riding was still comfortable with just a rain shell on. One challenge; didn't bring enough tissues to dry the (waterproof) phone lens so some photos are a bit blurry.

Maramataha Bridge, Timber Trail, Pureora Forest

From here the climb continues to the highest point of today's ride. The trail was in terrific condition considering how wet the last couple of nights had been.

The trail soon joins the path of a old bush tramway which shuttled logs to the sawmill. It was the inspiration for the bike trail, with the connection from Pureora Village a combination of new and rebuilt hiking trails.

Waione Bridge

Waione Bridge is short, 40-metre (130 ft), but wouldn't be on any other trail! It makes up for that with views of the lovely boulder steam it spans.

Waione Stream, Timber Trail, Pureora Forest

Remnants of the bush tramway and a massive tree which somehow avoided the sawmill.

Deep cuttings show how well built this tramway way, rivalled permanent railways in scale and complexity.

Wondered about the distant clearings in the bush, later learned is part of a deer farm.

Steam Log Hauler

These Steam Log Haulers pulled logs up to the line. The boiler reminded me of the one I saw hiking at Tunnel Hill, Whatipu.

Heard chainsaw running in one of the cuttings and passed, but couldn't really see due to thick bush, a trail maintenance worker clearing hanging fallen limbs high above the trail.

Waikoura Bridge

Another 'little', in Timber Trail context only, 28m (92 ft) suspension bridge...

Mangatukutuku Bridge

Next is the 90-metre (300 ft) Mangatukutuku Bridge. There are thirty-five bridges along the trail and still plenty to ahead.

Parts or the trail, and original tramway, are carved out of rock cliffs,

I heard a quad bike approaching from behind and stopped by a new looking picnic table. It was Bill, trail worker and the chainsaw wielder I passed earlier. He stopped for a chat, amazing guy, in his seventies, had recently installed the table and was doing maintenance on his way to/from the site. Tony and another shuttle guy (can't remember his name) appeared and after a short stop, chat, with Bill & I carried on down the trail.

Ongarue Spiral

The last feature of the trail is a solution to a 47m level change in a short section. The Ongarue Spiral loops around with bridges and a curved tunnel. This section of trail required massive re-construction work (see video) as the stream had scoured out the tunnel and the original bridges were all but gone.

Below: in the cutting (L) and looking back (R) to the tunnel exit and upper bridge.

The downhill...

From the spiral there's a wonderful downhill section, cut into the distant cliffs seen below, to the Mangakahu Stream. So much fun I didn't stop for photos!

Ongarue Finish

The last few kilometres cross farmland to a carpark a few kilometres from the Ongarue shuttle base. They do pickups but I rode on, is pretty and quiet country road, back to the base.

Deer Farm Ongarue, Timber Trail, Pureora Forest

Used their bike wash and changing facilities before hitting the road (about three hours) back to Auckland.

An accidental snap after taking the photo above, shows how muddy my leggings were, even after the wash my bike needed a full drivetrain clean (before photo below) when got home!

The Timber Trail is awesome; if time limited time this is the North Island ride to do.