Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Timber Trail Lodge
Piropiro, Pureora Forest Park New Zealand
Full view
View all photos(340)340
Room & Suite (39)
Dining (14)
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
About
5.0
#1 of 1 lodge in Pureora Forest ParkLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Deep in the centre of Aotearoa's North Island, right in the middle of nowhere, is a very special place. The Timber Trail Lodge is set in the middle of a renowned conservation park featuring huge podocarp trees and rare birds, and is the only on-trail accommodation for the 84km Timber Trail cycle way. The off-grid, full service lodge opened in April 2017, sleeping 50 with a mix of double/twin and triple rooms. Some rooms have shared ablutions, whilst bedrooms in the second wing have en-suite bathrooms. The lodge has been designed so guests can experience sustainability in practice, and leave with a greater appreciation of minimising impacts and protecting natural environments. Guests enjoy healthy, nutritious meals with a focus on tasty, natural ingredients, in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Inclusive packages and group deals available.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Wifi
Free breakfast
Hiking
Shuttle bus service
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Kids' meals
Special diet menus
Picnic area
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Qualmark.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Location
Piropiro, Pureora Forest Park New Zealand
Getting there
Taupo Airport
55 km•
See all flights
Auckland Intl Airport
189.9 km•
See all flights
Reviews
5.0
572 reviews
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Nestled in a tranquil, picturesque setting ideal for outdoor pursuits, Timber Trail Lodge has garnered high praise from travelers for its spotless, comfortable rooms equipped with cyclist-friendly amenities and ample charging ports. The lodge's inviting atmosphere, combined with an array of praised amenities, including diverse food options that cater to different diets, contributes to a cozy retreat experience.
Guests have called out the exceptional staff service and the great value provided by the well-equipped accommodations, further enhancing the lodge's appeal as a clean and professionally run establishment.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Professional
Amenities
Well-appointed
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
572Reviews0Q+A100Room tips
Traveller rating
- 549
- 17
- 2
- 2
- 2
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
We stayed one night at the Timber Trail Lodge, partway through biking the Timber Trail. Our package included the shuttle service, one night in an ensuite room, dinner, breakfast & packed lunch. We arrived mid-afternoon and they gave us a complimentary pizza, which was lovely and tasty. Dinner was chicken, sweetcorn, veges and salad, with carrot cake for dessert. All beautifully cooked and so fresh. Fully-licensed bar with a great selection of beers and wines. The temperature was around 30 deg the day we arrived. No air con due to solar power, but enough of a breeze coming through to be OK. It would have been so much worse in a tent! They have plans to install mosquito screens so the windows can be left open at night. As the Lodge is only a couple of years old, everything is still in reasonably new condition and the bed was comfortable. Water taps are on timers to reduce wastage. As we stayed mid-week it was not too busy which was great. We will definitely stay here again next time we do the Trail.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BruceTTL, Owner at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 2 Feb 2020
Thanks for such a detailed review. Really appreciate the comments and, yes, we are getting mosquito screens.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Friendly staff, nice lodge, great location. Wonderful shared lounge area with sliding doors, decking, fireplace, BBQ, comfy chairs and beanbags. The pizza on arrival was appreciated, but we would have liked to buy another one as it was 5 hours from the time we arrived until dinner. So take some cheese and crackers or snacks for an afternoon platter.
Our disappointment was not all rooms are created equal. Its just luck of the draw, or booking order. we had an ensuite king size room. paid full price and we looked out to the staff quarters and carparking - this had thick gravel so when people walked or cars arrived it was very loud. someone arrived late at night and opened and closed doors for about 15 mins. yet some rooms had stunning views over the valley, ranch sliders onto balcony or private decks and were in a different league to our room with no views. I would have loved fo watch the sunset, or valley awake from room.
the showers. ARGH! - endless water was provided for the bike wash. The hoses gushed out endlessly, but the shower! And cyclists were running the hose for ages. Yet the showers were on a 20 second push button and they stop. You couldnt control the temperature so it would go way too hot at times. It was incredibly frustrating. Ive been in more remote lodges that dont have the same issue. Even in places like the no vehicle access on the humpridge track they have 4 minute hot showers, and they then turn off for 3 minutes before you can restart.
I would definitely stay here again if doing the timber trail lodge. But I would take more food or afternoon snacks, and snacks on the trail the next day. I would also request a room with a balcony or deck. The hospitality was very good though
Our disappointment was not all rooms are created equal. Its just luck of the draw, or booking order. we had an ensuite king size room. paid full price and we looked out to the staff quarters and carparking - this had thick gravel so when people walked or cars arrived it was very loud. someone arrived late at night and opened and closed doors for about 15 mins. yet some rooms had stunning views over the valley, ranch sliders onto balcony or private decks and were in a different league to our room with no views. I would have loved fo watch the sunset, or valley awake from room.
the showers. ARGH! - endless water was provided for the bike wash. The hoses gushed out endlessly, but the shower! And cyclists were running the hose for ages. Yet the showers were on a 20 second push button and they stop. You couldnt control the temperature so it would go way too hot at times. It was incredibly frustrating. Ive been in more remote lodges that dont have the same issue. Even in places like the no vehicle access on the humpridge track they have 4 minute hot showers, and they then turn off for 3 minutes before you can restart.
I would definitely stay here again if doing the timber trail lodge. But I would take more food or afternoon snacks, and snacks on the trail the next day. I would also request a room with a balcony or deck. The hospitality was very good though
Read more
Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Garth-Angie London, General Manager at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 4 May 2021
Many thanks for taking the time to review your stay with us. The first pizza is complementary but guests are more than welcome to order and pay for more, so sorry if you didn't realise this. We always recommend folk take extra snacks of their own when undertaking a full day on the trail. Thank you for the feedback and we do hope we see you again.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
A group of 16 of us stayed at the Timber Trail Lodge for 2 nights while we mountain biked the 85km Timber trail.
The accommodation was excellent with modern facilities, great beds, top quality food and lovely helpful staff. The chef can cater for all dietary requirements and there is a choice of shared or en-suite bathroom facilities. So after you’ve cycled the 40km first day you can take a shower then have a drink while sitting on the huge deck or in the spacious lounge dining area. They also offered a complimentary pizza for afternoon tea. The Lodge has an eco focus and is off the grid using solar as its principle source of energy.
The Timber Trail is a magnificent mountain bike or walking trail and the Timber Trail Lodge is the perfect accompaniment. If you think the Timber Trail might be a bit tough then do as most of us did and hire ebikes. One our group is 78 years old and he had no problems at all
The accommodation was excellent with modern facilities, great beds, top quality food and lovely helpful staff. The chef can cater for all dietary requirements and there is a choice of shared or en-suite bathroom facilities. So after you’ve cycled the 40km first day you can take a shower then have a drink while sitting on the huge deck or in the spacious lounge dining area. They also offered a complimentary pizza for afternoon tea. The Lodge has an eco focus and is off the grid using solar as its principle source of energy.
The Timber Trail is a magnificent mountain bike or walking trail and the Timber Trail Lodge is the perfect accompaniment. If you think the Timber Trail might be a bit tough then do as most of us did and hire ebikes. One our group is 78 years old and he had no problems at all
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BruceTTL, Owner at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 2 Feb 2020
It's really nice to hear that you had such a great time on the TT, and that we were able to look after you so well. Thanks for taking the time to review us.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at the lodge when we rode the Timber trail, which I will review separately.
We decided to opt for the two night lodge stay and very much enjoyed it.
The first night we were picked up from their depot in Ongarue and had the services of their timbertrail transport shuttle partner to take us about 30 mins to the lodge.
The lodge is not luxurious by any means but a nice comfy casual open plan style lounge/dining room opening out onto a lovely balcony where people could enjoy a chat and drinks. The view of the misty forest in the early morning was very special.
The rooms were clean and tidy and we had a special were we payed for the shared facilities rate but were upgraded to a private ensuite room. The 10sec push button shower took a little getting used to but were fine after a day biking in the dirt.
Dinners are casual with bowls of salads , veges and cooked meats placed family style in the middle of tables. There was also consideration given to the vegetarians at the table.
The first night there were just two tables pulled together, the next night there was a two table group and about 3-4 other tables of 6.
We really enjoyed these dinner get togethers as we got to meet lots of like minded people , in this case all kiwis of all ages taking the chance to see some of our beautiful country.
The meals were good and there was plenty to go around, but I especially enjoyed their desserts, of which there were a choice of two for each night. A shout out has to go to Lauren for her delish Florentine tart and the delightful berry cheesecake!
The lodge has a small bar for alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks which are put on a tab until checkout. This was most welcome after a hot day riding and went down well with the yum complimentary pizzas which we got after reaching the lodge on our first day of riding.
Breakfast is a choice of cereals and yoghurt and at 7.30 am they bring out trays of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon..a good start for the day. Just remember to pick up the bagged lunch and top up your water bottles after breakfast.
The staff were friendly and obliging and helped make our stay fun. All in all we had a really nice stay and enjoyed the casual but well thought through accomodation/stay package.
We decided to opt for the two night lodge stay and very much enjoyed it.
The first night we were picked up from their depot in Ongarue and had the services of their timbertrail transport shuttle partner to take us about 30 mins to the lodge.
The lodge is not luxurious by any means but a nice comfy casual open plan style lounge/dining room opening out onto a lovely balcony where people could enjoy a chat and drinks. The view of the misty forest in the early morning was very special.
The rooms were clean and tidy and we had a special were we payed for the shared facilities rate but were upgraded to a private ensuite room. The 10sec push button shower took a little getting used to but were fine after a day biking in the dirt.
Dinners are casual with bowls of salads , veges and cooked meats placed family style in the middle of tables. There was also consideration given to the vegetarians at the table.
The first night there were just two tables pulled together, the next night there was a two table group and about 3-4 other tables of 6.
We really enjoyed these dinner get togethers as we got to meet lots of like minded people , in this case all kiwis of all ages taking the chance to see some of our beautiful country.
The meals were good and there was plenty to go around, but I especially enjoyed their desserts, of which there were a choice of two for each night. A shout out has to go to Lauren for her delish Florentine tart and the delightful berry cheesecake!
The lodge has a small bar for alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks which are put on a tab until checkout. This was most welcome after a hot day riding and went down well with the yum complimentary pizzas which we got after reaching the lodge on our first day of riding.
Breakfast is a choice of cereals and yoghurt and at 7.30 am they bring out trays of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon..a good start for the day. Just remember to pick up the bagged lunch and top up your water bottles after breakfast.
The staff were friendly and obliging and helped make our stay fun. All in all we had a really nice stay and enjoyed the casual but well thought through accomodation/stay package.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Garth-Angie London, General Manager at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 27 Jan 2021
Many thanks for your heartwarming & thorough review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and we hope very much to be able to host you again. (Lauren's desserts are excellent, aren't they?!)
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked the two-night biking package, including meals, accommodation & shuttles, to ride the fabulous Timber Trail. The lodge is off-grid and in a stunning location in the middle of the most amazing podocarp forest at the half-way point on the trail. (Even if you're not a mountain biker book a stay and explore the area on foot. It's incredible and full of pioneering history and flora & fauna.)
The Timber Trail lodge provides comfortable & warm ensuite or standard rooms, hot showers, great food and excellent hospitality. They can arrange everything for you. We stayed in Winter and it was a great time to visit. Many thanks to the excellent staff who made us most welcome.
The Timber Trail lodge provides comfortable & warm ensuite or standard rooms, hot showers, great food and excellent hospitality. They can arrange everything for you. We stayed in Winter and it was a great time to visit. Many thanks to the excellent staff who made us most welcome.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Ensuite rooms are great but the standard rooms are also warm & spacious and close to all...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bruce Maunsell, Owner at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 12 Jul 2020
Thanks for a great review.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It's not cheap but it's the perfect accommodation option for the Timber Trail, and given it's location and seasonal clientele I think the price is reasonable. It is clean, functional, has a large, comfortable common area with deck overlooking the valley, help-yourself hot drinks, fruit and biscuits. The staff are friendly locals who are passionate about the place and their eco-efficiency approach is consistent with everything that those who love getting out into nature should value. They adapted overnight to the change in traffic light to red so were clearly well-prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Haley Kete, Other at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 27 Jan 2022
Kia Ora, Thank you for taking the time to provide us with awesome feedback. I am pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay with us. We aim to please and we are lucky to have an amazing team on board. It was our pleasure to be your hosts!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The accommodation at the Timber Trail Lodge was absolutely 1st class with modern facilities, comfortable beds, top quality food and very helpful staff who will go out of their way to assist. After you’ve cycled the 40km first day you can take a shower then have a drink and sit on the huge deck or in the lounge dining area. Get there before tea and have a slice of pizza for afternoon tea.
The Timber Trail is an amazing mountain bike trail and the Timber Trail Lodge just tops it off. If you are not a strong MT biker I recommend hiring an E-bike, it is well worth it and it will allow you to appreciate the trail and enjoy the experience even more.
The Timber Trail is an amazing mountain bike trail and the Timber Trail Lodge just tops it off. If you are not a strong MT biker I recommend hiring an E-bike, it is well worth it and it will allow you to appreciate the trail and enjoy the experience even more.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bruce Maunsell, Owner at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 3 Mar 2020
Thanks Steiney, glad you appreciated the hospitality!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our family of five - two adults and three kids aged 9, 11 and 14, booked the 2 night package at the Timber Trail Lodge. What a great decision - super clean rooms, comfy beds, amazing food and brilliant staff who went beyond the call of duty. We loved the whole experience - totally worth the money. We will be telling anyone who listens to go and stay!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Great to have a room with an ensuite.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bruce Maunsell, Owner at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 16 Apr 2020
Hi Henry, we really appreciate you taking the time to review us. It's great to have famillies enjoying the TT and the lodge. We hope you can come back once the lockdown ends! Keep pedalling!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Lodge is simple in its idea, but clever in its delivery. It provides a welcoming environment and warm hospitality, especially after a 45km bike ride to get there. The rooms are spotless and fulfil all your needs - whether you are in an ensuite room or in the shared facilities rooms, a warm shower and warm/comfortable bed go down a treat. The communal dining was a great way to meet fellow hikers or bikers, and the staff are all friendly and helpful. To sum it up, the Lodge caters for every need. We will definitely be back to do the other half of the ride :)
Read more
Date of stay: April 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Garth-Angie London, General Manager at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 9 Apr 2021
Many thanks for your thorough and very generous review of your stay. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time at the Lodge and appreciated the little touches we try to include to ensure a great experience for all. We look forward to your return...
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My friend and I recently did the Timber Trail Cycle over 2 days. Not only was the trail full of history and beautiful scenery, but the icing on the cake was the very enjoyable stay at the lodge. Garth and Angie and their team made the stay carefree and fun. The lodge is completely 'off grid' so to stay somewhere with clean and fresh linen, warm showers, complimentary pizza on arrival and a hearty dinner and breakfast was very enjoyable. They also stock a great selection of craft beers and delicious wines and everything was spotlessly clean. We also loved the fact that they had an emphasis on sustainability, respecting the environment and supporting 'local' where they could. We will definitely come back with a bigger crew next time! Thanks and see you again soon!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Garth-Angie London, General Manager at Timber Trail Lodge
Responded 10 Feb 2021
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review of your stay. This feedback is exactly what we hope our guests experience when they stay at Timber Trail Lodge. We look forward to your return soon...
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No results found. • Try changing or clearing your search to read questions and answers.
"We opted to stay one night in Taumaranui and one night at the lodge. The base for shuttle and bike hire about 20 minutes drive from Taumaranui. "Read full review
"Treat yourselves… buy a shuttle package, stay two nights. Biking is great fun, knowing everything else is being looked after is so good!"Read full review
"As the lodge is quite a way off the road there is a bit of driving to get in and out but the shuttle service had it all planned out."Read full review
…
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandManawatu-Wanganui RegionPureora Forest Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingTIMBER TRAIL LODGE | UPDATED 2024 Reviews (Pureora Forest Park, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Timber Trail Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Timber Trail Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Timber Trail Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is Timber Trail Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.