Timber Trail Pureora – Ongarue Trail guide Length: 85 km Grade: 2–3 Total climb: 420 m At forest edge shelter. Fitness level: Good Photo: Nicky Palmer Skill level: Intermediate Accommodation Grade 3 Time: 1–2 days cycling Campsites or 4 days walking There are DOC campsites at Pureora and Piropiro. Camping is also permitted along the trail in designated areas. Visit www.doc.govt.nz/pureora. Further information Department of Conservation Te Kuiti Office Phone +64 7 878 1050. Email [email protected]. i-Sites/information centres located in Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Taupo, Waitomo and Tokoroa Photo: Thrive Photography Thrive Photo: Published by Department of Conservation Te Kuiti, New Zealand September 2017 Editing and design Publishing Team, DOC National Office This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. R103627 Cover: Crossing the Maramataha Bridge. Bridge. Maramataha the Crossing Cover: A backcountry cycling adventure Riding the trail Plan and prepare Before you go, know the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 simple Ancient forest, deep valleys, historic bush The Timber Trail is open all year around. Be prepared for adverse weather conditions at all times. rules to help you stay safe: tramways and the magnificent Ongarue Spiral 1. Plan your trip The first 4 km from Pureora is an easy flat gradient, but the await cyclists on the Timber Trail journey. Before you go, check the status of the Timber Trail trail then starts to climb. The trail is graded intermediate at www.doc.govt.nz/timber-trail. Thoroughly clean The Timber Trail is one of 23 great rides (Grade 3) the rest of the way to Piropiro. It is easy (Grade and prepare your bicycle and equipment, and take developed as part of Nga Haerenga, The New 2) either way between Piropiro and Ongarue. See the cycle essential bicycle spares and tools. Zealand Cycle Trail – www.nzcycletrail.com. Most trail website www.nzcycletrail.com for further descriptions of the trail is in Pureora Forest Park, managed by of cycle trail grades. 2. Tell someone the Department of Conservation (DOC). Tell someone your plans and leave a date for when to There are a few steep ascents/descents and drop- raise the alarm if you haven’t returned. See offs in places where you may choose to get off your www.adventuresmart.org.nz for further information. bike and push. Be aware of hidden rocks, sticks, 3. Be aware of the weather Getting there fallen trees or slippery clay exposed by the weather. Check the forecast at www.metservice.com. The trail begins Dappled light, sun or mist can affect your vision, so ride on Barryville with care. 4. Know your limits Road, Pureora, off The trail is in a remote environment and is subject SH30 between to weather extremes. Have a ‘trail-time’ goal and turn Te Kuiti and Things to note around if necessary. 5. Take sufficient supplies Mangakino. The Signs: Green and yellow DOC signs indicate access points, War on Weeds central section can Pack enough warm clothing, distances between places and approximate walking times. Please don’t bring be accessed from extra food and a torch/head Please read these signs. invasive weeds to Piropiro at the end lamp in case you need to stay Pureora Forest Park. of Kokomiko Road, Trail markers: The trail is marked with orange directional out overnight. Have insect Thoroughly clean Waimiha, and markers and blue-and-white distance markers, indicating repellent, sun screen and a first your bicycle and the southern end distances from Pureora. When travelling north from aid kit. equipment before from Ongarue via Ongarue, they count down the kilometres left to travel to See www.doc.govt.nz/pureora for you arrive. Together SH4. Follow the Pureora. If you do not see these markers, you are not on the more safety information. we can make a brown signs to the trail. difference for our entrance points. Cellphone coverage: There is limited cellphone coverage – native plants and Your safety is your responsibility. Parking is do not rely on it as a means of emergency communication. wildlife. available at all Please carry a personal locator beacon (for hire outlets see entry/exit points. www.beacons.org.nz). It is 56 km by Private land: Small sections of the trail cross private land. sealed and gravel Please respect the landowners’ rights. road from Pureora Drinking water: Water can be taken from streams along the to Piropiro, trail. You may wish to boil, filter or treat it before drinking. 40 km by sealed and gravel road Waste: There are no rubbish bins along the trail, and no from Piropiro to rubbish collection at Piropiro Campsite. Please arrange to Ongarue, and 53 take your rubbish home with you. km by sealed road Toilets: There are limited numbers of toilets along the from Pureora to track. Please take your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser. Ongarue. Walkers on the trail. Photo: DOC Cyclists on the trail. Photo: DOC (Map 1) Benneydale Pureora to Piropiro Mangakino 30 30 d 40 km 13.5 hr walking R EASY INTERMEDIATE M PUREORA e l Map 1 a il ra DOC v e y n ora Rd rr Plai s Rd Field Base a While the trail may be ridden in either B direction, the topography will encourage most Pik people to ride from north to south, ie from iarik i R Pureora to Ongarue. d crawler tractor Close to the d R DOC Pureora SNAPSHOT e e r T Field Base on 5 km Easy, single-file riding for e g Barryville Road, a b the first 4 km b a the Timber C Climb for 15 km Link Rd Trail starts Mangakokakotaea Stream out at an easy Predominantly downhill for forest edge gradient, before the following 18 km 10 km climbing through Easy, single-file riding for K Mt Pureora regenerating ok the final 3 km. om 35 km 1165 m N iko bush to the forest Rd P irop edge shelter – a iro Rd M 30 km welcome spot to rest and enjoy the view. a On r ga a rue highest point 980 m m Rive 15 km a r t a The forest edge shelter is a sensible h a R 25 km iv Piropiro Harrisons place to turn back if you have doubts er 20 km about your ability to safely complete the entire 40 km Campsite Creek trail. Maramataha Bridge Okauaka Stream The trail climbs to its highest elevation of 45 km Bog Inn Hut 980 m, and then it is predominantly downhill. The trail crosses two suspension bridges, each Terminus 50 km 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km over 100 m long, and follows an old logging road for part of the way. A signposted track just before the 40 km mark Easier part-day options Piropiro Campsite to Okauaka Stream (4 km one leads to the Piropiro Campsite, which has For young families or riders with insufficient time or way). You may be lucky and see blue duck/whio in the toilets, shelters and stream water. 2 3 4 5 6 experience7 8 to9 ride10 the km full trail, there are a number of Okauaka Stream, or meet up with others completing the options. trail from Pureora. Map 1 Map 2 Pureora to forest edge shelter and return (16 km). Piropiro Campsite to Maramataha Bridge and return Beginning the cycle trail in Pureora, return at the exit (9 km). Join the trail at the campsite and cycle to the points at Cabbage Tree Road or Tui Road. bridge for a great view of the stream. The view is worth Crawler tractor loop (5 km). The crawler tractor the climb. junction is marked on a sign 3 km past the cycle trail Bennett Road to Ongarue Spiral (15.5 km return) or to entrance at Pureora. Ride past the tractor and out to Mangatukutuku Bridge (25 km return). This is the most Perham’s Avenue. Follow the road back to Pureora. accessible way for day visitors to see the spiral. Follow the trail from the Ongarue entrance. N Te Kuiti d a R mih e-Wai W Map 2 Ongaru ai on r e ive St e R re ngaru am A O m o s R K ONGARUE d ok om 35 km ik o R 4 85 km d P irop iro Rd M 30 km a r a Bennett Rd m a t Taumarunui a h Waikoura a R Historic i Piropiro Bridge ve No. 10 Mystery Creek r 40 km 70 km 65 km Campsite M Bruntons 80 km a Camp SNAPSHOT n 75 km 55 km ga kah Ongarue Goat u Strm Maramataha Bridge Ok Single-file riding for the Spiral Creek auaka Stream 45 km Ngak first 2 km onui - Ongar Mangatukutuku ue Rd 60 km Climb for 15 km, passing Bridge Terminus Maramataha bridge near 50 km M Historic marker 44 a n W No. 11 Camp g a a i t k u o Predominantly downhill or k u u ra tu St k r flat for the remaining 27 km u ea S m t re a Some side-by-side m riding. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km Piropiro to Ongarue (Map 2) Walking the trail 45 km 15 hr walking Allow 4 days to walk the full trail. If you EASY have only 2 days, the section from Piropiro From the Piropiro Campsite, ride 2 km to the bollards to Ongarue offers the best scenery, historic at the end of the road and then climb steadily to the features and easiest gradient.