The Timber Trial is a two day, 84km back-country mountain bike adventure trail that winds its way through remote forest. It's isolated - not a café or shop for miles, not even at the start in Pureora or at the end in Ongarue. Pureora is in the middle of the North Island about 130km west of Taupo.
The trail goes through a rugged sub-alpine landscape, but thanks to some amazing engineering both on the new sections and on the historic logging tramways and hauler tracks, it's an easy ride. It does have some muddy patches after rain but it's a wide, non-technical trail. You do need to be fit though - it's a long, steady haul up towards the summit of Mount Pureora on the first day.
You'll cross deep gorges on the longest mountain bike swing bridges on the planet, traverse magnificent native forest right out of "The Lord of the Rings", and circle through a tramway spiral that includes a tunnel.
One problem with the trail is the lack convenient accommodation mid-way through at Piropiro. But if you google "The Timber Trail" you'll find plenty of commercial operators who offer various accommodation options involving shuttles or assisted camping. There are also bike hire options and shuttles to pick you up at Taupo and take you back after.
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