Short Rides for all the Family
Sometimes you just don't have the time, or you just want a taste of the Timber Trail (whetting your appetite for future escapades).
Try some of these options from various access points across the Pureora Forest Park.
Piropiro to Ongarue via the Mighty Bridges, Spiral and more...
Short on time? Then get yourself transported to Piropiro from Ongarue and ride the magnificent suspension bridges, the Ongarue Spiral and marvel at the fortitude of the pioneering foresters of times past. Finish this 43km advenutre back where you started, satisfied you've tasted the trail - and ready to come back for more. (See full trail notes for more detail)
- Approximately 43 kms of Intermediate riding. Allow 4-5 hours.
Pureora Crawler Tractor Loop (Pikiariki)
The Crawler Tractor Loop is great for those who want to experience the Timber Trail but have limited time. The relatively short ride (7 km) goes through native forest to the site of the 1920s tractor, stranded in time. Return home via a gravel road to the Pureora car park.
This section includes the Totara walk through a section of Pikiariki.
Alternatively, you can ride to Pureora forest edge shelter at the 8km mark, have a picnic here and then return the same way for a 16km round trip cycle experience.
Piropiro Discovery Loop
From the campsite, riders can head north on the trail back towards Pureora for a 8km return ride to Okauaka Stream where the Whio, the native blue duck, may be spotted if you’re lucky. (It's the very special duck featured on our ten dollar note)
Alternatively, head West for a 10km return ride to Maramataha Suspension Bridge, New Zealand’s longest and highest rideable suspension bridge.
Ongarue to the Spiral return
It’s 8km uphill (16km return) from the car park in Ongarue to the famous Ongarue Spiral, the only rideable spiral in the world.
For a longer ride, continue to the spectacular Mangatukutuku Suspension Bridge, just past Goat Creek (69km marker) for a 30km round trip ride.
However far you go, it will be all downhill back to the startline.
Forest Tower Walk - discover our ecology and history
This 12 m high tower is a 10 minute walk from Bismarck Rd car park. It gives you an entirely different perspective of life up in the forest canopy. It is a good spot for observing native birds such as kereru (wood pigeon), kākāriki (parakeets), and kākā (forest parrot).
The tower also features signage that tells the story of the protesters and movement that saved our forest in the late seventies and eighties.
From Barryville Road, take Pikiariki Road then Bismarck Road.
