Totara Timber Trail Package — 93km Two-Day Ride from Ongarue

On the Totara Timber Trail, two days of singletrack and forestry roads wind through central North Island bush between Ongarue and Pureora. This package, run from Blackfern Cottage in Ongarue, combines a morning shuttle to Pureora, two days of riding—about 40km to Blackfern Lodge or The Forge on day one and 53km back to Ongarue on day two—bag transfers, and one night’s accommodation at Blackfern Lodge.

What makes the ride special is the forest itself: ancient podocarp stands of rimu, totara and kahikatea give shade to a route threaded with engineered features—long wooden boardwalks, carved bridges and restored tramway grades that recall the area’s logging past. Sections of compacted gravel switch through fern gullies and across exposed ridge spines with occasional views down to river valleys. Riders will pass stream crossings, the odd swing bridge and remnant mill sites that make the trail a linear outdoor museum as much as a mountain-biking route.

The itinerary is straightforward and practical. Meet at Blackfern Cottage, 50 Ongarue Village Road, Ongarue for the morning shuttle to Pureora and a 10am start. Your luggage moves ahead while you ride ~40km to Blackfern Lodge or The Forge for an ensuite night. Day two begins with the Sulkie Road shuttle and a longer 53km pedal to Ongarue where bikes, bags and vehicles reunite. The package includes logistics most riders dislike—shuttles and bag transfers—so you can focus on the ride.

This is a strong option for riders with solid endurance and basic off-road skills; the terrain mixes fast gravel with technical singletrack and occasional muddy patches after rain. E-bike and MTB hire options are offered if you need a bike or want an electric boost. A catered meal option is available for groups of four or more, and pre/post nights at Ongarue Cottage let you space travel plans.

Why book with this operator? Blackfern’s Totara package is the company’s most popular offering because it simplifies Timber Trail logistics while placing you in locally run accommodation that keeps the route’s remote character intact. It’s a standout in the Ruapehu-Taumarunui area for riders who want an overnight adventure that balances wild forest riding with real beds and hot showers. Expect quiet riding, native bird song, engineered trail features, and an approachable two-day format that turns one of New Zealand’s best multi-day trails into a manageable, memorable escape.

Riding through Pureora Forest Park places you under a cathedral of towering totara and rimu where tūī and kererū are common; keen birders may hear morepork at dusk. The operator provides English-language support and coordinates shuttles and bag transfers so groups of varying ability can ride together. The package is ideal for two-day escapes from nearby towns such as Taumarunui or Taupō.