Plan your trip
Ready for adventure?
Everything you need to know before you go
Our biking packages make planning your Timber Trail adventure easy, so you can relax in the knowledge that we'll sort all the logistics for you. Please do let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
All you need to do now is make sure you and your bike are ready for the ride, and you have everything you need to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Getting Here
The Timber Trail Lodge is situated at Piropiro, the halfway point of the 85km Timber Trail.
It is accessible by road, but most of our guests are cycling the Timber Trail. Our biking packages start at the end of the trail at Ongarue.
Safety on the trail
The Timber Trail passes through a remote wilderness area. Emergency access is difficult in some places.
Mobile reception is close to non-existent along the trail, we advise you not to rely on this and strongly recommend you carry a Personal Locator Beacon.
Our lodge management staff are trained in basic first aid and can assist with incidents at or near the lodge, however it is important you know what to do in an emergency if you are not near the lodge.
You need to be prepared for adverse weather and emergencies, see our packing list below for the essentials. Make sure you have enough warm clothing, food and water in case you need to stop. Carry a bike tools and spares, and know how to use them, and be prepared to assist other riders.
Allow plenty of time to ride the trail. Most groups take 5-6 hours to ride the first stage from Pureora to Piropiro. The second leg usually takes slightly less time. Allow extra time for mishaps and breakdowns.
Please note our policy is to alert Police Search and Rescue if guests have not arrived by dark.
Get ready to ride
The more prepared you are, the more you will enjoy the ride.
Get out and ride! You need to be ready for some long days in the saddle. Each day on the trail is 40km plus, and you can expect to be riding 4-6 hours each day.
Brush up on your skills. Make sure you're comfortable and in control on grade 3 trails.
Make sure your bike is up to the task - It's a great idea to get your bike serviced to avoid troubles on the trail. Your local bike shop can help you stock up on spares too.
What to bring
You need to be prepared for conditions to change throughout your ride. Ensure you are prepared for your ride to take longer than expected, and to deal with emergencies along the way.
For the ride:
- Comfortable riding clothing (padded shorts are a great), helmet and cycling shoes or trainers
- Waterproof and windproof jacket, suitable for riding in
- Additional warm clothing (either wool or polypropylene), including hat, gloves, long sleeved jumper and tights
- Plenty of drinking water for the day and some additional snacks (you'll also need lunch for day 1 if you book the 1 night package)
- First aid kit and personal medication
- Emergency thermal blanket
- A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). We strongly recommend you carry at least one per group. These are available to hire if you don’t own one.
- Bike repair gear, including pump, spare tube, puncture repair kit & multitool
- Torch or headlamp
- Sunscreen, insect repellent
- Camera
For the lodge:
- Extra clothing and comfortable shoes/slippers for in and around the lodge
- Walking shoes for the Rata loop walking trail
- Wash kit (we have the basics available in the bathrooms, towels are provided, and hair dryer is available at reception)
- Phone charger
- Spare riding clothes for your second day (we don’t have laundry facilities at the lodge)
- E-bike charger
- You may like to pack a lock for your bike
The Timber Trail Lodge Experience
