Pureora Forest - The Timber Trail
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Walking
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Cycling
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Dog Friendly
Te Araroa trail section: The Timber Trail passes through magnificent podocarp forests of rimu, tōtara, miro, mātai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and more open vegetation, offering extensive views of the surrounding landscape.
Utilising historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads, the track features 35 bridges, including 8 large suspension bridges (the longest being 141m) and showcases the historic Ōngarue Spiral, a marvel of engineering.
500m east of DOC’s Pureora Forest Headquarters is the Ngaherenga campsite, halfway between the two is the entry point to the Timber Trail.
It is recommended you plan to walk between formal accommodation locations on this route — Ngaherenga to Bog Inn Hut (20km), to Piropiro Flats campsite (18km), to #10 campsite (26km), to the campsite at the Ōngarue terminus of the Timber Trail at Bennetts Road (17km), this will take you four days. Then into Taumarunui the following day (26km). Trail surfacing is good (it is also a cycleway), so faster walkers may like to do big days. However, you should be aiming to stay at these locations.
Commence along the Timber Trail on well-graded track for approx 9km through the Pikiariki Ecological Area to the junction with The Toi Toi Track. This takes you up and over the summit of Mt Pureora (a 1hr 30 deviation) to take advantage of some of the King Country’s most panoramic views of Lake Taupō, Mt Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Ranges.
NOTICE [November 2023]: The Toi Toi track has fallen out of DOC's maintenance schedule, so it is overgrown and difficult to follow at times. The views are worth it on a good day, but this section can be easily bypassed by remaining on The Timber Trail. DOC is expected to perform some maintenance and vegetation clearance this summer. This notice will be removed when this work is done.
Descending from Pureora summit and rejoining the Timber Trail, the route again follows the cycleway to the turn-off for the Bog Inn Hut. Leave the Timber Trail here, and shortly after, a short track will lead to Bog Inn Hut for those wishing to sleep there. When leaving Bog Inn Hut, a short connecting path will put you back onto the Timber Trail, without the need to backtrack.
Heading south, you’ll soon cross the first of the spectacular suspension bridges on this route, and another shortly after. The faint of heart shouldn’t look down.
It’s largely downhill from there to bathrooms at Harrisons Rest Area, then a further 12km to Piropiro Flats campsite.
Leaving Piropiro Flats, you’ll climb through tawa and tānekaha forest to the 141m Maramataha Bridge, which will take the breath away. Further onwards, you will come to a cleared area known as ‘the terminus’, which was the most northern end of the 1950’s Ellis and Burnand tramline. There are toilets at Mystery Creek and the #11 Camp, and shortly after, you'll be at the #10 Camp, also with toilets.
From #10 Camp, it’s mostly downhill all the way, with the Mangakahukahu Bridge and remarkable Ōngarue Spiral the highlights of the day’s walk.
At Bennett Road, a campsite has been purpose-built for Te Araroa, with plenty of space to camp, a shelter and a toilet in the adjacent carpark. You should look to stay here and then walk the 26km into Taumarunui the following day. There are no appropriate locations to freedom camp en route to Taumarunui.
From Bennett Road, follow the Ngakonui-Ōngarue Road west, which runs onto the Ōngarue Back Road, which is the route towards Taumarunui, some 24km away. Just north of Taumarunui, you’ll reach a roundabout — continue straight onto Golf Road and follow it for 2.5km turning right/south onto Short Street, then left/east into Hākiaha Street (SH4), the main street of Taumarunui — a supermarket, food outlets, bank, pharmacy and more are available on this street.
Conditions
- Vehicles on the road or track
- Poisons and traps
- Forestry operations
- Small stream crossings
- Weather extremes
Seasonal restrictions
Hunters with dogs or guns may use the Timber Trail for access to the backcountry. Numbers of hunters are especially high during the stag-roaring months of March and April, and during spring (September, October and November)
Dog access
Dogs require a DOC permit. Contact the relevant DOC office to obtain a permit.
How to get here
The Timber Trail begins in Pureora Forest and is easily accessed off SH30 between Te Kūiti and Mangakino.
The central part of the trail can be accessed from Piropiro campsite at the end of Kokomiko Road, Waimiha, and from Ōngarue, via SH4 at the southern end. There is highway signage near Pureora and Ōngarue to direct riders to the ends of the trail.
Transport
Timber Trail - We provide end to end services on the timber trail including shuttle transport, bike hire, accommodation and hospitality. We can deliver a rental bike to Pureora Village for the two day ride. A standard mountain bike - 2 day hire is $135 which includes delivery (between 9.30 and 10 am), helmet, bag transfers and a day pack. Bags can be transferred to Piropiro for collection at the lodge and then transferred to Ongarue at the end of the trail. For questions and bookings P - 0800 785 500 E - info@timbertrailshuttles.com
Epic Cycle Adventures offers bike hire, bag transfers and accommodation at Piropiro . We currently offer a special package deal- bike hire, bag transfers, and staying at Camp Epic in your own tent for $180pp- includes a DIY dinner and breakfast. You can also get bike hire and bag transfers for $130pp and stay at the DOC campsite at Piropiro. Ph - 0220237958 E - paul@epiccycleadventures.com
Accommodation
Trail Pass
Ngaherenga Campsite - km 947.6 - Included in The Trail Pass (Bookings required)
Bog Inn Hut - km 963.7 - Included in The Trail Pass
Piropiro Campsite - km 984.0 - Included in The Trail Pass
Ongarue Campsite - km 1,026.0 - Private $
Other Accommodation
- DOC huts in the Pureora Forest Park
Bog Inn Hut — 4 bunks, mattresses and heating — Topo50 maps — Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1828988, N5726201
Note: Hut tickets must be purchased from DOC offices prior to your tramp. (or use Trail pass)
- Timber Trail Lodge — located adjacent to the Trail at Piropiro — P: 0800 885 6343 — E: stay@timbertraillodge.co.nz — Dorm and private accommodation, including dinner and breakfast.
- Camp Epic — is located at the 40km marker on the Timber Trail. Tent site and glamping accommodation options. Communal kitchen/dining and the best hot showers in NZ. Breakfast is included in your stay. Ph 0220237958
Taumarunui
- Taumarunui Canoe Hire and Jet Boat Journeys - P: 0800 CANOE4U or P: 027 226 6348 - E: tmncanoehire@gmail.com Free camping on site in Taumarunui, free pickup in town with your groceries for the river. We will help you make all your bookings for the river all the way to Whanganui, and we will give you a thorough safety briefing before you leave Taumarunui with coffee and hot bread. Rest days here are very welcome, along with a walker container with bunks, a hot bush shower, BBQ area (Laundry coming soon). Fridge and food storage are available, and we will bring your food along with your canoes and more barrels to Whakahoro. Splash out, we can store your fridge food.
- Taumarunui Holiday Park - 100 State Highway 4, South, Taumarunui P: 07 895 9345 - E: taumarunui-holiday-park@xtra.co.nz
- Grandads Cottage - 298 Miro St, Manunui — P: 07 895 7358 — E: grandadscottage298@gmail.com Budget accommodation, camping, internet available.
- Kellys Motel - 10 River Rd, Taumarunui - P: 0800 554 000 or 07 895 8175 - E: stay@kellysmotel.co.nz
Alexender Spa Motels - Check-out time 10am, 50 metres to RSA and restaurants, 14 Studio and 2 Family Studio Units. 6 Marae Street Taumaranui
Forgotten World Adventures Motel — is directly across the road from New World, the BP, McDonalds and Pizza store in Taumarunui. The number is 0800 7245 2278
Hikumutu Youth Camps, 874 Hikumutu Road, km 1,062. Camping and indoor accommodation
Food And Supply
Timber Trail Lodge -We serve food for ’walk-in’ customers between 1 pm and 4.30pm with pizza and refreshments. We also have some basic shop items for sale such as drinks and snacks. P - 0800 885 6343 E - stay@timbertraillodge.co.nz
Track Elevation and Map
Total 2 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: 17/03/2025, 9:47 am