Need2Know: Timber Trail Lodge comfort and adventure in Pureora Forest Park

An 80 bed, Timber Trail Lodge is being built in Pureora Forest Park, at Piropiro, the mid-point of the Timber Trail in the central North Island.

The first stage, including the lodge hub and 10 rooms, for up to 25 guests, will open during the summer of 2016/7.

The Timber Trail, on Te Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycleway, is an 84 km, two day mountain bike ride that, after three years, is already attracting over 8000 riders per year to Pureora Forest Park, in the central North Island.

It has also become a popular walking trail, for both one day and multi day walks.

The Trail opened in 2013, at a cost of $5 million. It includes several specially built pedestrian and cycle swing bridges spanning spectacular gorges, including New Zealand’s longest at 141m.

Excellent interpretive signage, provided by DOC, enables users to learn about the natural and human history of the area while they travel along the trail.

Jonathan Kennett, cycling advocate and co-author of Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides is an enthusiastic supporter of the project. “This lodge is just what the Timber Trail needs to take it from good to great amongst New Zealand’s best cycleways.”

As well as providing an accommodation option for the growing numbers of New Zealanders who are discovering and enjoying the Timber Trail, the lodge fits well with the burgeoning cycle tourism sector.

Forecast to employ up to six staff during peak periods, the lodge will also work closely with transport operators and tour companies.

Pureora Forest Park is a 78,000 hectare area of protected forest that includes some of the largest most outstanding tracts of New Zealand podocarp forest. The area is home to a number of endangered bird species including kokako, whio (Blue Duck), kaka, kakariki and North Island robin.

The area is also rich in Maori history, with Mt Pureora being of particular significance to the Rereahu iwi.

The Timber Trail runs mostly through Department of Conservation estate, from Pureora in the north, to Ongarure in the south. It is a grade 3 trail, making it suitable for moderately experienced and capable riders.