Koru #201

This is the main entrance track into Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park from the entrance and carpark on South Karori Road. It was built by Makara Peak volunteers and WCC contractors in 1999/2000, and opened by the then Minister of Sport and Recreation, Tevor Mallard. The section between the skills area exit and Sally Alley was built by the Salvation Army Rimutaka Prison Conservation Corps in one week in May 2000. There was a major overhaul completed by WCC and Contractors in 2023-24 to fix drainage and widen the bench to make it easier for beginners.

It begins at a moderate gradient above Karori Stream, before getting a touch steeper as it enters regenerating native bush and climbs through a series of three switchbacks. Afterwards the track continues up the hill with some brief flat or downhill sections to provide some respite for your legs.

About two-thirds of the way up the hill you can exit onto a short connector that takes you to the skills area. The last third of the track is quite undulating, with less elevation gain making for a much gentler ride. At the end of Koru, you can return to the carpark via Lazy Fern (grade 2), SWIGG (grade 3), do a loop of Magic Carpet (grade 2), or continue on up the hill on Sally Alley towards the swing bridge and the summit.

Due to the steady nature of the climb, and the narrowness of the track in some sections, some riders who are very new to mountain biking may prefer to practice their skills and get more comfortable by entering the park via the Allington Road entrance and using Rimu and Miro.