JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Australian Wilderness & Outback Journeys
Private and luxury journeys to The Kimberley, Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Red Centre, Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre...
Learn more
Greatest Rail Journeys in Australia
A luxury holiday of a life time on one of the great Australian rail journeys. Rail & Sail, Reef & Rail, Outback & Rail...
Enjoy a fully-guided epic ride on the entire Timber Trail through Pureora Forest Park, widely regarded as being the best two-day wilderness bike ride in New Zealand. One of New Zealand's 22 Great Rides, part of Nga Haerenga - the New Zealand Cycle Trail, the Timber Trail offers you an amazing riding journey of discovery of ancient and remote virgin forest, huge suspension bridges, unique timber tramway history, splendid gorges and epic views across the central North Island. You'll enjoy two nights stay at an off-grid lodge on the edge of stunning native podocarp forest and taste a two-course healthy and nutritious meal each night. This is a cycling journey for the senses and the soul.
Deep in the centre of Aotearoa's North Island, right in the middle of nowhere, is ...
Deep in the centre of Aotearoa's North Island, right in the middle of nowhere, is a very special place. The 85 km Timber Trail through Pureora Forest Park follows old logging tracks and tramlines right in the centre of the North Island, approx. 2 hours drive from Taupo. Regarded as the 'jewel in the crown' of North Island cycleways, the Timber Trail offers rich rewards, from thrilling eight large suspension bridges including New Zealand’s longest at 141m to the splendour of the ancient forest, the Pureora Timber Trail is a journey that will let your spirits soar.
Over the two days, you will cycle on the entire Timber Trail (85 km) with an expert local guide. The trail is Grade 2-3 and suitable for experienced and recreational riders of moderate fitness and ability.
At the end of your daily cycling adventure, return to your wilderness lodge - the only accommodation located right on the trail. Here, you can enjoy the atmosphere of relaxation in your en-suite bedroom, and taste the hearty, home style dinners. Savour twilight before night falls and thrills you with some of the best stargazing on the planet, then wake refreshed and energised to the tune of a glorious dawn chorus of New Zealand's rare birds.
The tour is fully guided and lodge based. Bike hire, helmet, water bottle, personal locator beacon (PLB), and packed lunches as well as luggage transfers are included. You only need to carry a daypack.
Combining the best cycling experience on the Timber Trail and the awe-inspiring wilderness accommodation, the Timber Trail End to End Cycle is sure to rejuvenate your spirit.
New Zealand Timber Trail Cycling Map
Please click to view New Zealand Timber Trail Cycling Map
Departure Dates
Departure every day on request
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
More Info
Read Less
Pick up from Taupo accommodation or airport, and transfer to Timber Trail Lodge.
Check in & relax at your accommodation nestled on the edge of stunning native podocarp forest.
Depending on your arrival time, you may spend some time exploring Pureora Forest Park at your leisure. Pureora Forest Park has magnificent 78,000 hectare world recognised forest reserve in New Zealand's Central North Island, a hidden wonderland of tall trees, clear rivers and rare wildlife.
The vegetation of the park changes from lowland podocarp forest dominated by rimu, mataī, miro and tawa through to higher altitude montane forest with Hall’s tōtara, tāwheowheo and kāmahi.
There is abundant birdlife in the park, including the rare North Island kōkako, kākā (forest parrot) and pītoitoi (toutouwai/North Island robin). There are populations of the rarer kārearea (New Zealand falcon), kākāriki (parakeet) and whio (blue duck) as well as both species of native bats (long-tailed and short-tailed) and Hochstetter's frog.
There is an abundance of fantastic walks in the Pureora Forest Park. From your accommodation Timber Trail Lodge, you can wonder Ketemaringi Track at your leisure:Ketemaringi Track: 4 hr to Totara Stream Crossing. From the end of Ketemaringi Rd, climb steadily for 1 hour to Ketemaringi Trig. The track then turns south and descends easily down a ridge to emerge onto Totara Stream Rd, with a further 1 hour walk to the car park at the Totara Stream crossing.
Return to your lodge and relax in the lounge or on the deck, with a glass of complimentary NZ wine or craft beer (at your expense). Have a chat with your knowledgeable Kiwi hosts on your two day cycling adventure ahead.
Enjoy two-course dinner.
Cycling distance: approximately 40 km (Grade 3, Intermediate)
Some highlights of your day:- Some of NZ’s most spectacular, intact podocarp forest- Mighty trees including rimu and totara- The Cloud Forest - a scene straight out of The Lord of the Rings- Optional detour to Mt Pureora summit for 360-degree views- Magical birdlife including the kaka, tui and North Island robin- Some challenging and fun riding
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Timber Trail Lodge, then transfer you to start of trail at Pureora Village. The Timber Trail winds through the Pikiariki Ecological Area. Around 3 km in, a short detour leads to a historic 1920s logging caterpillar bulldozer, long-since abandoned in the bush it has been preserved for you to marvel.
The trail continues through an open area that was previously logged but is now regenerating with native and exotic trees. A gradual climb up and around the side of Mt Pureora reaches the first shelter after the 8 km mark, with stunted moss covered forest reminiscent of scenes from a Tolkein story. The highest part of the Pureora Timber Trail is reached at 940m above sea level before dropping down to the first of six spectacular suspension bridges that span the rugged gorges along the route.
At the 22km mark you'll reach the first of the trail's amazing suspension bridge, the 115m one over Bog Inn Creek. The next mighty suspension bridge is the 109m one over Orauhora Creek. There's a couple of short, quite steep downhill sections that are sign posted, and which some people prefer to walk.
The final section before Piropiro, and Timber Trail Lodge, at the 40 km marker is a nice and easy downhill ride, mainly on old forestry roads.
Soon after you arrive, famished from your efforts, you'll be served a nutritious snack to enjoy, at your leisure. Coffee and tea is complimentary at all time.
Have a hot shower and savour twilight in forest surrounds with a nice cold beer, wine or soft drink (Alcohol is at your own expense).
Enjoy two-course dinner. When night falls, be amazed by the best stargazing on the planet.
Cycling distance: approximately 45 km (Grade 2 - 3, Easy to Intermediate)
Some highlights of your day:- Curious logging relics- Spectacular suspension bridges- Wildlife viewing, including the chance of spotting wild goats or pigs- Weird and wonderful rock formations- Hidden swimming spots- The only rideable railway spiral in the world
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Timber Trail Lodge, then start your ride today from the lodge.
From the Timber Trail Lodge at Piropiro, the trail follows a logging road for a couple of kilometres before reentering the forest on single-track. There’s a relatively easy climb after a few kilometres.
After about 5km of riding, you'll enjoy a thrilling descent! At the bottom you'll encounter the amazing Maramataha Suspension Bridgeover the Maramataha Gorge, the country's highest and longest rideable suspension bridge, at 141m long and 53m high.
With the bridge behind you, the route climbs a bit and then follows well defined tramways created in the early 20th century to transport huge logs from the forest. Along the way there are plenty of remnants of those days. Extensive signage along the trail explains the history and provides great insights into the area.
The final quarter of the trail is lots of fun, with long sweeping descents and beautiful bush. Around the 75km mark is the nationally significant Ongarue Spiral, an engineering marvel explained in an interpretation panel. It is also the only rideable spiral in the world. Before civilisation is reached at Ongarue, the final section skirts around rugged farmland dotted with sheep and deer and takes you to the carpark at the trail end.
You will be collected at the Bennetts Road car park and transferred back to Taupo.
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
The departure point is Taupo, New Zealand.How to Get to Taupo, NZBY AIRFrom Auckland: Air New Zealand operates daily flights between Auckland and Taupo.From Wellington: Marlborough-based air operator Sounds Air, provide at least three return flights each weekday and two return flights on Saturdays and Sundays.Private Charters: You can also fly to Taupo Airport via private chartered flights, jets and helicopters. Taupo Airport services Global Expresses, to light twin engine aircraft.BY ROADAuckland - Taupo: 3.5hrsWellington - Taupo: 4.5hrsRotorua - Taupo: 1hrHamilton - Taupo: 2hrNapier - Taupo: 2hrNew Plymouth - Taupo: 3.5hrPalmerston North - Taupo: 3.5hrs
Day 1: Taupo to Pureora Forest Park transfer, no cycling. Optional self guided bushwalkingDay 2: Cycle Pureora to Piropiro (40 km); Grade 3: IntermediateDay 3: Cycle Piropiro to Ongarue (45 km); Grade 2 - 3, Easy to IntermediateTotal: 85 km cycling
The trail passes through a mountain environment with a highpoint 980m above sea level, which makes for relatively unpredictable conditions. Pack warm clothing and wet weather gear regardless of the forecast.Waitomo ForecastTaumarunui Forecast
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.