Swing Into ActionBeginner - Intermediate

Description

Another Makara Peak option with a great elevation profile - steady uphill, steep downhill, and a flat recovery to finish. Oh and did we mention a 72m swing bridge and a river crossing?

From the main car park, follow the Koru track as it winds its way uphill. Ignore the Koru Shortcut option on the right when you get to it. Keep following Koru and then Sally Alley until you come out on the 4WD track. Just opposite and to the right, you'll see the entrance to Three Brothers. Take this and follow this up until it joins Upswing. 

Continue up Upswing and enjoy crossing the spectacular 72m swing bridge which was opened in 2017, making for a much easier and enjoyable route to the summit. Keep following the track as it winds uphill and merges with Aratihi, before eventually bringing you out at the summit. Stop and soak up the panoramic views here. When you're ready to head down, start going back the way you came up, and turn off to the right onto Upper Leaping Lizard. This is a great one to put your foot down on, letting gravity pull you round the high berms.

Keep following Upper Leaping Lizard, which eventually crosses another 4WD track and becomes Leaping Lizard. Follow this more technical track all the way downhill, ignoring left turnoffs to Nikau Valley and Possum Bait Line. The track will curve back north and start rising again. After about 300m take the right turn onto Bailout and follow this downhill until it brings you to Karori stream. No option to keep your feet dry here (sorry) so make the most of a free shoe-wash as you cross the stream and out onto South Karori Road. From here, turn left and it's a gentle 2km back up the road to the car park.

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Easy Single Track: 75%

Sealed Road: 15%

Route Data