Timber Trail

Timber Trail
Above the Piropiro Valley; typical of the northern section of the Timber Trail
Length	83 km (52 mi)
Location	border of Waikato region and Manawatu-Wanganui region, New Zealand
Trailheads	Pureora and Ongarue
Use	Walking, cycling
Elevation
Elevation change	360 m (1,180 ft)
Highest point	940 m (3,080 ft)
Lowest point	200 m (660 ft)
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Intermediate to easy
Season	Year round
Sights	Suspension bridges, railway spiral, native bush
Hazards	mud, trees

The Timber Trail, originally known as the Central North Island Rail Trail or Pureora Timber Trail, in the North Island of New Zealand is an 83 kilometres (52 mi) cycleway (also used by walkers and hunters) in Pureora Forest Park, fully opened in 2013, with 35 bridges (built by DoC staff, community max workers, or contractors), including 8 large suspension bridges (one of the longest on a NZ cycleway, much more stable than the swing bridges used on older tracks). It is one of several cycleways developed as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail and passes through podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and regenerating bush. About half the trail is on the track-bed of an old bush tramway, including a spiral and tunnel.

It is easiest to ride downhill from Pureora (elevation 560 metres or 1,840 feet) to Ongarue (200 metres or 660 feet). Fit riders can cover the trail in a day. Accommodation and cycle transport can be arranged at Pureora Cabins, Pa Harakeke (campervans, camping and two chalets), Pureora Forest Park Lodge (up to 50 guests), or Blackfern Lodge, Waimiha (from the middle of the trail). An alternative is the 4 bed Bog Inn Hut, built of totara slabs, at the foot of Mt Pureora, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) off the trail. It originally housed scientists studying a nearby wetland. Since 2013, several local farmers and B&Bs have been offering nearby accommodation, meals, and shuttle services for the trail.