A rusted 1920s Caterpillar crawler tractor sits abandoned at the side of the cycle track. It is overgrown with weeds and rust, like other machinery of the logging era that is scattered along the 85-kilometre Timber Trail between Pureora and Ongarue.

Even if these relics today look like surprisingly well-fitting adornments on this ride through the woods, they testify to the large areas of native virgin forest that were cleared between the 1940s and 70s.

Since 2013, the Timber Trail as one of New Zealand’s 22 Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides celebrates this remote area of the North Island and its remaining giant rimu and tōtara trees with an unforgettable immersion into the beautiful Pureora Forest Park.

The trail itself follows old logging roads and historic bush tramlines and is joined with purpose-built single track and eight suspension bridges into a vehicle-free, varied mountain bike path. The bridges are stunning constructions and span deep gorges with crystal clear streams framed by lush greenery to either side.

Day one begins with a taxing 350m elevation gain up Mt Pureora to 971m, but cruising down the southern flanks of the mountain through the Hauhungaroa Ranges and across fabulous suspension bridges is a real treat.

There’s much less elevation gain to tackle on the second day, so you can take your time crossing over yet more bridges and tracing the old bush tramway route to the spectacular Ongarue Spiral. Take care in the eerie darkness of an unlit tunnel that comes just after the spiral before making your way to the finish line at Ongarue.

Piropiro Flats at the halfway mark offers a range of accommodation options, including fully serviced lodges, a DOC campsite, and glamping. We stayed at Camp Epic, a fully-serviced campground with luxury canvas tents (you’re also welcome to set up your own tent), brand-new amenities and a large outdoor kitchen area run by Epic Cycle Adventures.

The Timber Trail is a purpose-built track of easy to intermediate difficulty (Grade 2-3) and requires 4-7 hours of cycling each day, depending on your fitness and experience level. You do not need to be an experienced mountain biker to cycle the Timber Trail, but previous mountain biking experience and a front-suspension bike will make this ride more pleasant. E-bikes are also allowed on the Timber Trail.

What do you need to take on the Timber Trail?
Your bike gear obviously, including a puncture repair kit and suitable clothing (wearing a bike helmet is mandatory in New Zealand), water and snacks, toilet paper (this wasn’t provided in some toilets along the trail), a torch or cell phone with a flashlight for the unlit tunnel on day 2, sunscreen and sunglasses, and a rubbish bag (same as on hiking trails: carry out what you carry in or deposit of your rubbish in bins provided at your accommodation). In winter, take warm and windproof clothing (thermals, windbreaker, gloves!).