Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Mini Makara Mission
Submitted by Joe Benbow
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 29 ?
6.0km
190m
190m
375m
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Submitted by Joe Benbow
Last Updated: 20th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 29 ?
6.0km
190m
190m
375m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +6.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -6.4%
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1:00
Slow
0:40
Moderate
0:25
Fast
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.
This trail includes the peak Makara Hill.
The closest public toilet is at Karori Park.
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
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.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Nice trail. Short but a mixture of very runnable smooth single track and a few parts with a small bit of technicality. I missed the turn down Varleys and had to double back but otherwise everything else was pretty easy. The views are great - although when I ran the loop they were covered in cloud!
November 7
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.
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