Waikato / King Country
Pureora Forest - The Timber Trail - OPEN
(North to South)
500m east of DOC's Pureora Forest Headquarters is the Ngaherenga campsite, halfway between the two is the entry point to the Timber Trail.
It is recommended you plan to walk between formal accommodation locations on this route - Ngaherenga to Bog Inn Hut (20km), to Piropiro Flats campsite (18km), to #10 campsite (21km), to the campsite at the Ongarue terminus of the Timber Trail (17km), this will take you four days. Then into Taumarunui the following day (26km). Trail surfacing is good (it is also a cycleway) so faster walkers may like to do big days, however you should be aiming to stay at these locations.
The Timber Trail passes through magnificent podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and more open vegetation, offering extensive views of the surrounding landscape.
Utilising historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads, it features 35 bridges, including 8 large suspension bridges (the longest being 141 metres) and showcases the historic Ongarue Spiral, a marvel of engineering.
Commence along the Timber Trail on well-graded track for approx 9km through the Pikiariki Ecological Area before momentarily leaving the Timber Trail to take the Toitoi Track up and over the summit of Mt Pureora (a 1hr30 deviation) to take advantage of some of the King Country's most panoramic views of Lake Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Descending from the summit and rejoining the Timber Trail, the route again follows the cycleway to the turn-off to the Bog Inn Hut. Leave the Timber Trail here, and shortly after a short track will lead to Bog Inn Hut for those wishing to sleep there. When leaving Bog Inn Hut, a short connecting path will put you back onto the Timber Trail, without the need to backtrack.
Heading south, you'll soon cross the first of the spectacular suspension bridges on this route, and another shortly after. The faint of heart shouldn't look down!
It's largely downhill from there to bathrooms at Harrisons Rest Area, then a further 12km to Piropiro Flats campsite.
Leaving Piropiro Flats, you'll climb through tawa and tanekaha forest to the 141m Maramataha Bridge which will again take the breath away, then a further climb to a cleared area known as ‘the terminus’, which was the most northern end of the 1950s Ellis and Burnand tramline. There are toilets at Mystery Creek and the #11 Camp, and shortly after you'll be at the #10 Camp, also with toilets.
From #10 Camp its mostly downhill all the way, with the Mangakahukahu Bridge and remarkable Ongarue Spiral the highlights of the day's walk.
At Bennett Rd, a campsite has been purpose-built for Te Araroa, with plenty of space to camp, a shelter and a toilet in the adjacent carpark. You should look to stay here then walk the 26km into Taumarunui the following day. There are no appropriate locations to freedom camp en route to Taumarunui.
- Vehicles on road or track.
- Poisons & traps
- Forestry operations.
- Small stream crossings
- Weather extremes
(North to South)
500m east of DOC's Pureora Forest Headquarters is the Ngaherenga campsite, halfway between the two is the entry point to the Timber Trail.
It is recommended you plan to walk between formal accommodation locations on this route - Ngaherenga to Bog Inn Hut (20km), to Piropiro Flats campsite (18km), to #10 campsite (21km), to the campsite at the Ongarue terminus of the Timber Trail (17km), this will take you four days. Then into Taumarunui the following day (26km). Trail surfacing is good (it is also a cycleway) so faster walkers may like to do big days, however you should be aiming to stay at these locations.
The Timber Trail passes through magnificent podocarp forests of rimu, totara, miro, matai and kahikatea, as well as some exotic forestry and more open vegetation, offering extensive views of the surrounding landscape.
Utilising historic bush tramways, old bulldozer and haul roads, it features 35 bridges, including 8 large suspension bridges (the longest being 141 metres) and showcases the historic Ongarue Spiral, a marvel of engineering.
Commence along the Timber Trail on well-graded track for approx 9km through the Pikiariki Ecological Area before momentarily leaving the Timber Trail to take the Toitoi Track up and over the summit of Mt Pureora (a 1hr30 deviation) to take advantage of some of the King Country's most panoramic views of Lake Taupo, Mt Ruapehu and the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Descending from the summit and rejoining the Timber Trail, the route again follows the cycleway to the turn-off to the Bog Inn Hut. Leave the Timber Trail here, and shortly after a short track will lead to Bog Inn Hut for those wishing to sleep there. When leaving Bog Inn Hut, a short connecting path will put you back onto the Timber Trail, without the need to backtrack.
Heading south, you'll soon cross the first of the spectacular suspension bridges on this route, and another shortly after. The faint of heart shouldn't look down!
It's largely downhill from there to bathrooms at Harrisons Rest Area, then a further 12km to Piropiro Flats campsite.
Leaving Piropiro Flats, you'll climb through tawa and tanekaha forest to the 141m Maramataha Bridge which will again take the breath away, then a further climb to a cleared area known as ‘the terminus’, which was the most northern end of the 1950s Ellis and Burnand tramline. There are toilets at Mystery Creek and the #11 Camp, and shortly after you'll be at the #10 Camp, also with toilets.
From #10 Camp its mostly downhill all the way, with the Mangakahukahu Bridge and remarkable Ongarue Spiral the highlights of the day's walk.
At Bennett Rd, a campsite has been purpose-built for Te Araroa, with plenty of space to camp, a shelter and a toilet in the adjacent carpark. You should look to stay here then walk the 26km into Taumarunui the following day. There are no appropriate locations to freedom camp en route to Taumarunui.
Accommodation
Bog Inn Hut - 4 bunks, mattresses & heating - Topo50 maps - Grid reference: NZTM2000, E1828988, N5726201
Note: Hut tickets must be purchased from DOC offices prior to your tramp.
Budget accommodation, camping, internet available.
Forgotten World Adventures Motel- are directly across the road from New World, the BP, McDonalds and Pizza store in Taumarunui. Number is 0278149289 and our website is http://www.forgottenworldmotel.co.nz/
- Keep to the track
- No dogs without a permit from DOC
- No firearms
- No fires
- Wear hi-viz clothing/pack cover and don't use headphones
- Take all rubbish with you
- Bury toilet waste well away from water
- Kiwis - no dogs allowed without permit
- Conservation Area - No domestic animals allowed (i.e. includes dogs, cats or birds) without permit
(Start)
- Car park
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Basic camp site
- Accommodation ART DOC Gallery, Benneydale offers accommodation and/or transfer to/from start of the track at Pureora Forest Park. www.artdoc.co.nz Phone 07 878 4780.
(On Route)
- No amenities
- DOC Huts
(End)
- Full range of amenities in Taumarunui
- Toilets
- Shop
- Accommodation
