The Timber Trail showcases several beautiful species of native birds that you may not see anywhere else in New Zealand, and the bush they inhabit is stunning. Ride the historic Ellis and Burnand Tram and cross the longest suspension bridge on any cycle trail; a whopping 140 metres. This trail is a dream overnight mission for outdoor enthusiasts with a sense of adventure.
The track is a testing grade 3 trail and is most suited to spring, summer and autumn riding. It is made up of a mix of long and short ascents and descents, with short flat sections at the southern end.
For very fit cyclists, the trail can be ridden in a single day. For those looking for a paced experience, the trail can be split across two days with an overnight stop at the halfway point.
The Timber Trail can be ridden in either direction, but is typically ridden north to south, starting at Pureora and finishing in Ongarue.
As the trail is long, not a loop track, and has no cellphone coverage, it’s strongly recommended that you make all your transport and accommodation arrangements prior to the starting your ride.
| Distance | 85km |
| Grade | 3 |
| Time required | 1-2 days |
| Phone coverage | None |
| Satellite locators | Strongly recommended |
| Toilets | At the beginning, middle and end |
| Shuttle | Yes, book your shuttle services prior to departure. |