Timber Trail
Ride native forest and learn about the History
Distance: ~84km
Grade: Grade 3 (Intermediate)
Time: 2 days
Climb: ~1,412m
Descent: ~1,765m
Experience one of New Zealand’s iconic Great Rides with FourB.
Journey through the ancient forests of Pureora on an unforgettable ride packed with native bush, towering suspension bridges and fascinating timber-milling history.
The Timber Trail is an 84km Grade 3 adventure running from Pureora to Ongarue. Along the way you’ll ride beneath giant rimu and tōtara, cross eight spectacular suspension bridges, follow historic bush tramways and experience the famous Ongarue Spiral.
This is more than just a mountain bike ride — it’s a journey through some of the Central North Island’s most beautiful and remote landscapes.
Two days. 84km. Ancient forest. Big bridges. One seriously memorable ride.
The Trail & Logistics
Two days. 84km. One unforgettable journey through Pureora Forest. We take care of the logistics so you can concentrate on the ride.
Day 1 — Taupō to Pureora → Timber Trail Lodge
Your adventure begins at 8:30am, when we pick you up from your accommodation in Taupō and transfer you to the start of the Timber Trail at Pureora Forest — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes away.
At the trailhead, we’ll give you a briefing covering the route, key highlights and anything you need to watch out for before you set off on the 39km ride to Timber Trail Lodge.
Day 1 takes you deep into magnificent native podocarp forest, climbing up and around Mt Pureora before continuing across some of the trail’s spectacular suspension bridges.
While you ride, we take care of your luggage, transporting it directly to the lodge so it’s waiting when you arrive.
At the lodge, settle in with a hot shower and a welcome pizza before enjoying dinner and a well-earned drink from the bar. Your stay includes linen, welcome pizza, dinner, Day 2 breakfast and a packed lunch for the trail.
Day 2 — Timber Trail Lodge → Ongarue
Start the morning with breakfast at the lodge — continental from 7:00am or cooked breakfast from 7:30am — then get back on the bike for the second half of your adventure.
Day 2 delivers some of the Timber Trail’s biggest highlights, including the spectacular 141m Maramataha Suspension Bridge, more beautiful native forest, historic bush tramways and the incredible Ongarue Spiral — the only rideable railway spiral of its kind in New Zealand.
You’ll finish the trail at Ongarue, where your luggage and FourB transport will be waiting for you.
Load up, relax, and enjoy the approximately 2-hour journey back to Taupō.
Stay Connected in the Backcountry
The Timber Trail travels through remote country with very limited mobile reception. We provide your group with a satellite tracker, allowing us to keep track of your progress and providing another way to stay connected while you're out on the trail.
Ride Your Way
Your Timber Trail adventure, your way.
Already have a bike you know and love? Bring it along. Need everything sorted? We can have a quality bike ready and waiting for you.
Whichever option you choose, we take care of the key logistics — Taupō transfers, luggage transport, your overnight stay at Timber Trail Lodge, meals and your return transport from Ongarue.
Bring Your Own Bike
Perfect if you already have a suitable, well-maintained mountain bike or e-bike.
Package + Bike Hire
Leave the bike logistics to us.
Get everything above, plus a quality bike set up and ready for your Timber Trail adventure. It’s the easiest option for visitors travelling without their own bike — just turn up ready to ride.
Accommodation Upgrades
Standard accommodation at Timber Trail Lodge is included in the package.
Ensuite room upgrade: +$60 per person, subject to availability.
Single supplement: Available for an additional cost — please enquire.
From your Taupō pick-up to your return on Day 2, we take care of the transport, luggage and overnight logistics. You just need to ride.
Need a Guide?
Want to experience the Timber Trail with someone who knows the way?
Choose our guided Timber Trail package and enjoy the full experience with a knowledgeable FourB guide riding alongside you.
Your guided package includes e-bike hire, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery while your guide takes care of the trail.
