Pureora Forest - The Timber Trail

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. Timber Trail to Taumarunui - 104km 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. 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. km 1,017.6 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.

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. Timber 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 - Te Araroa Special. Take a break from walking and cycle the Timber Trail We meet you at Pureora with bikes and daypacks at around 9-30am on day 1. We take your backpacks to Camp Epic/Piropiro • You ride down to Camp Epic/ Piropiro, stay overnight and then ride out, finishing in Ongarue. We bring your backpack out. $175pp for bike hire, bag transfers and staying at Camp Epic on a tent site in your own tent- this includes a DIY dinner and breakfast and hot shower. The dinner is a ready-made meal and breakfast is cereals, eggs, toast, spreads, tea, coffee etc. You prepare your own meals from ingredients supplied Add $80 if you would like an ebike Add $75 if you would like to stay in a luxury glamping tent Payment cash/card FREE PACKED LUNCH FOR DAY ONE: Cheese and tomato sandwich/roll, apple, banana and 2 muesli bars PLEASE NOTE: Space at Camp Epic is limited on Saturdays and public holidays. If you want to ride on a weekend you will likely need to stay at the DOC campsite. Call paul-0220237958 email paul@epiccycleadventures.com Transport in Taumarunui Taumarunui Canoe Hire and Jet Boat Tours - P: 0800 226 6348 or 027 226 6348 or 07 895 7483 email: tmncanoehire@gmail.com

The Timber Trail 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: Trip Planning Tramping/field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Counci YouTube channel .

Dogs require a DOC permit. Contact the relevant DOC office to obtain a permit.