Mini Makara MissionBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Joe Benbow
Beginner - Intermediate
1:00 (Slow)
0:40 (Moderate)
0:25 (Fast)
-6.4%
+6.5%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Go through the bike stile to the left of the gate on track T4. This does a few switchbacks up to the water tower, then peels off to the left. Follow this until you reach a trail junction around the 1.8k mark.
Continue ahead on T4 for another km when you'll pop out on the 4wd track, then look for the continuation of T4 up to your right.
As you get closer to the summit, the track takes a hairpin left and joins Aratihi. Follow this to the summit and take a moment to refuel and soak in the stunning panoramic views across Wellington and the South Island.
When you're ready to descend, follow the blue sign on your left for Zac's Track. Although not as popular as other downhill tracks for MTBers, keep an ear out for them anyway and pull over to the left if any come past you.
Once you hit the 4wd track, cross over it and continue until you reach the junction you were at earlier. Now take the dark blue trail Varleys all the way down to the water tower, then you can follow the last 2-way bit of T4 again back to the entrance.
Trail Community
Make Up of Run
Moderate Single Track: 50%
Easy Single Track: 50%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each

Makara Peak Grand Loop
Length: 11.70km

Park 2 Peak 2 Park
Length: 9.80km

Swing Into Action
Length: 13.00km
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park - Makara Road saddle entrance
A few parking spaces on the saddle beside the Skyline walkway entrance. If catching a bus, take the #2 from Wellington and get off at the park or the next stop (which is the end of the line). It's then a 10 minute walk up to the start.
0 km
0 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map.
There will soon be a water supply at the summit (but take what you expect to need just in case)
The peak is very exposed so can be cold and windy, even if it's fine at the bottom. The tracks are generally firm but the downhill one (Varleys) is rocky and can be slippy after a lot of rain and there can be a few puddles in places.
Only run this in the direction as described, otherwise you could encounter mountain bikes coming towards you the other way.
Take care crossing Makara Road as there are a couple of blind corners and cars can go quite fast. -
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