Best Mountain Bike Trails in Wellington

OPEN

Intermediate

126.5m

-26m

1h 5m

A short downhill, starting from the northern end of the concrete platform on the top of Hawkins Hill. Ride up Hawkins Hill Road and turn a sharp left before you reach the golf ball (radome), past the chain gate and onto the summit. Possibly the best views in Wellington so worth going to the summit. The trail down is an old school goat trail; short, but better than going down the road.

OPEN

Very difficult

202m

-33m

42 min

Follow on track from "V". Narrow dirt track in trees. Has two sections, first ends with an off camber roll down onto a walking track, second starts straight across that track with a little chute and ends in the same place as lower TTS. Both sections, especially the lower one are trickier when wet, or when very dry and dusty. Most of this track is intermediate level (Grade 3) but the end of the first section and start of the second one are advanced. (Grade 4)

OPEN

Intermediate

1.7m

59m

-27m

Access to the Ohariu Valley airstrip and views in the farm. Steep climb but doable.

OPEN

Intermediate

124m

3h 1m

Small connector between Alanbrooke and Chamberlain streets. stairs included

OPEN

Intermediate

2.5m

184m

-30m

20h

Moderate gradient climbing track from the end of Missing Link to the Summit and part of the Grand Loop network of tracks. The first 1/3 of the track is the steepest before becoming gentler over the last 2/3. The main intermediate grade climb to the summit, via Upswing and the Wild at Heart suspension bridge joins Aratihi about 2/3 of the way up the climb.Built by Makara Peak volunteers from 2003-2006, a short section of new single track was built in 2019 by TGL and funded by WCC that bypasses the final pinch climb up the 4WD track to the summit.

OPEN

Advanced

630.4m

33m

-42m

6h 36m

New exit out to South Karori Road from the bottom Leaping Lizard for those who don't want to have to climb back up into the park via Possum Bait Line. Makes Leaping Lizard a much more appealing prospect.Built by the Makara Peak Supporters and several corporate work parties over 2014.

CLOSED

Intermediate

1.4m

235m

-472m

13h 30m

Two-way track that runs from the southern end of Car Parts Extension to the intersection of the Tip Track and Red Rocks.

OPEN

Intermediate

2m

2m

-307m

11h 11m

Not very technical, but steep. If you like the Horokiwi Bridleway, you'll love this because it's even steeper I'd recommend going down only unless you like pushing your bike.

OPEN

Easy

173m

1m

-7m

1h 28m

A short piece of single track linking the hub at the end of Smokin, Starfish and Miro to the hub (picnic table and mapboard) at the end of Magic Carpet and Koru, and the start of Sally Alley, Lazy Fern and SWIGG. Relatively wide and a few basic rollers to keep things interesting.

OPEN

Intermediate

221m

4m

-6m

2h 48m

A small connecter from Ponsonby Road into the Birdwood Reserve, connecting into the S-bend track. At the end of Ponsonby climb down three flights of stairs and the entrance is sign posted on the right. After riding for a few minutes you reach S-bend. Go up hill to get to the fence. or downhill to get to Waiapu Road.Be considerate of walkers.