1 miles
Distance
516 ft
Climb
-890 ft
Descent
00:07:26
Avg time

North Face Details

  • Riding Area
    Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park
    Wellington
  • Difficulty Rating
    Advanced rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Trail Usage
    Biking Primary
  • Direction
    Downhill Only
    Popular direction shown
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    All Season
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Jump, Rock Garden, Wallride
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #3191 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    85 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking

This popular downhill route from the summit is sheltered from the southerly (hence the name) and built on top of typically rocky Makara Peak terrain.

The track is a step up in technical difficulty and challenge from Peak Flow. It starts off with a fast section with nice flow through a couple of bermed switchbacks, rollers and shaped corners weaving between native trees.

There are a couple of short pinch climbs through the middle section, the track surface gets fairly rough in places, and there are a couple of off-camber corners and rocky outcrops to negotiate. The last part of the track winds it's way down the hill via a series of flat and bermed switchbacks, some of which are quite exposed on the outside edge.

If you're comfortable with Peak Flow and want a new challenge, give it a go. The track doesn't get really steep, but there are a couple of sections intermediate grade riders may prefer to walk while they build their confidence and skills.

As of mid 2017, the trail surface has degraded to the point where it's quite rough in places, and the trail is now considered either a hard grade 3 (intermediate) or an easy grade 4 (advanced).

North Face flows straight into JFK, Smokin' which are genuine intermediate grade trails.

Access Info

From the summit platform, follow the signs straight down the hill. At the intersection with Zac's track via right - it's all well sign posted.

Local Trail Association
More Stats for North Face bike trail
  • Altitude change
    -374 ft
  • Altitude min
    879 ft
  • Altitude max
    1,294 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,254 ft
  • Altitude end
    880 ft
  • Grade
    -6.15%
  • Grade max
    -67.559%
  • Grade min
    65.518%
  • Distance climb
    2,502 ft
  • Distance down
    3,396 ft
  • Distance flat
    183 ft
  • Avg time
    00:07:26
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Dec 21, 2018
Variable
Avg: 4.05 (18 votes)

view (2,233)
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  • Layers  w
  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Ridden Direction

Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.

  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
Trail Ridden Direction

The intendid direction a trail should be ridden.

  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction

LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
  • Access Road/Trail
  • White
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Double Black Diamond

Trail Report Status
  • Clear / Green
  • Minor Issue / Yellow
  • Significant Issue / Amber
  • Closed or Major Issue / Red

  • Land Owner Overlay
  • Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
  • BLM (public)
  • USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
  • State land
  • Indigenous
  • Military
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
  • Map Markers
  • trail Trail Head
  • photo Photo
  • place Directory Listing
  • region Riding Area
  • TTF TTF
  • Parking Parking
  • Viewpoint Viewpoint
  • Information Information
  • Warning Warning
  • Directions Directions
  • Water Fountain/Source Water Fountain/Source
  • Sight Sight
  • Restrooms Restrooms
  • Gate Gate
  • Camping Camping
  • Trail Sign Trail Sign
  • Table or Bench Table or Bench
  • Other Other
      Directions to north-face-17347 trailhead (-41.288040, 174.706460)
      update trails status or condition

      North Face Trail Reports

      datedescription
      Dec 21, 2018 @ 3:25pm
      Dec 21, 2018
      Dec 10, 2018 @ 3:19pm
      Dec 10, 2018
      Dec 8, 2018 @ 8:18pm
      Dec 8, 2018
      		 Dry overall with a few tacky patches.
      Dec 8, 2018 @ 12:29pm
      Dec 8, 2018
      Nov 16, 2018 @ 11:57pm
      Nov 16, 2018
      		 reporter Running pretty well at the moment even after rain - drainage less of an issue with fewer puddles then 12 months ago.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 17 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 433 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      All
      • 2,137 rides
      •  

      Photos

      more »
      24 |
      Apr 18, 2017 @ 5:53pm
      Apr 18, 2017
      North Face, Wellington
      36 |
      Apr 18, 2017 @ 5:53pm
      Apr 18, 2017
      North Face, Wellington
      33 |
      Apr 18, 2017 @ 5:53pm
      Apr 18, 2017
      North Face, Wellington
      32 |
      Apr 18, 2017 @ 5:52pm
      Apr 18, 2017
      North Face, Wellington

      Routes with this trail

      titleratingdistance
      Makara Peak Grand Loop (intermediate & advanced)
      		8 miles
      Skyline (The Full Version)
      		24 miles

      Links

      Reviews / Comments

      No reviews yet, be the first to write a review or ask a question.
      Use trail reports to comment on trail conditions.


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      Videos

      more »
      Makara: North Face
      6:01 | 92 | Aug 14, 2018 , Wellington
      Makara Peak - North Face
      4:31 | 92 | Aug 7, 2018 , Wellington
      North Face via A to Z : Makara Peak 18/3/18
      6:40 | 70 | Jul 7, 2018 , Wellington
      Flat out on North Face... literally.
      6:25 | 319 | Jun 5, 2016 , Wellington

      Nearby Trails

      Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park

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