more stats
2.1 miles
Distance
692 ft
Climb
-126 ft
Descent
00:18:06
Avg time
567 ft
Altitude change
234 ft
Altitude min
801 ft
Altitude max
234 ft
Altitude start
801 ft
Altitude end
5.2%
Grade
-27.5%
Grade max
38.5%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
2,031 ft
Distance down
1,358 ft
Distance flat
00:18:06
Avg time

Transient Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Waimapihi Reserve
    Wellington
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 100 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #513 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #234 in Trail Running
    • #1544 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Uphill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2009
  • Land Owner
    WCC

This two-way track was built to enhance bike access through Polhill Reserve along with Highbury Fling. This track greatly improves on the old, and very steep, Durham Street walking track that provides access to two radio antenna and joins up with the 4WD road off the end of Durham Street.

Please note that as of June 6th, 2020, Transient will be UPHILL BIKES and two way foot traffic only, south (uphill) of the Karepa St Connector, where the bench seat is. This is because Ikigai, the new grade three descending trail, is now open. All downhill direction bikes should use Ikigai. Transient north/downhill from the Karepa Street Connector will remain 2 way to both bike and foot traffic.

source: tracks.org
Access Info

Northern end - start at the small park on Aro Street.
Southern end - join from Highbury Fling, or enter the trail from Ashton Fitchett Drive

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 4 rides
  • 8 miles average
6 Months
  • 118 rides
  • 14 miles avg distance
All
  • 1,367 rides
  • Last: Sep 8, 2026
Status:
on May 5, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.19 (25 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (18,212)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
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        Directions to transient trailhead (-41.294200, 174.761440)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        10 more »
        mtb
        51 |
        Jan 25, 2023 @ 2:26am
        Jan 25, 2023
        mtb
        51 |
        Jan 25, 2023 @ 2:25am
        Jan 25, 2023
        mtb
        47 |
        Jan 25, 2023 @ 2:25am
        Jan 25, 2023
        mtb
        157 |
        Apr 30, 2019 @ 10:51pm
        Apr 30, 2019

        Videos

        1 more »
        Polhill Transient
        mtb
        8:58 | 913 | Dec 28, 2019 , Wellington

        Routes with this trail

        19
        New Polhill Loop
        ★ 3.5 • 4 miles • 606 ft • 4 • Loop •
        Great loop for a lunchtime ride. Easy access from Wellington CBD.
        33
        Polhill: Windmill & Back
        7 miles • 1,218 ft • 9 • Loop •
        A decent loop from Polhill to the Windmill and back. Good climb to start, nice ups and downs in the...
        135
        Polhill-Barking Emu Return
        ★ 2.0 • 13 miles • 2,910 ft • 15 • Out & Back •
        Great taste of technical singletrack from the middle of the city.
        4.3 ★★★★★
        25 Ratings
        5 ★ 52%
        4 ★ 28%
        3 ★ 16%
        2 ★
        1 ★ 4%

        9 Reviews & Comments

        tomlrmVoQ
        Good condition, pleasant ride through the bush
        dUtKfX
        Pretty standard Wellington climb, nice forest and pleasant enough I guess.
        It’s pretty busy with people walking though, and definitely not far off grade 2, especially compared to nearby climbs like windmill and over at Mākara.
        longliveenduro longliveenduro
        Awesome climb trail. Unbelievable fun on an EBike. Uphill flow!

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        Nearby Trails

        Waimapihi Reserve

        • By gristlybits BTB & contributors
        • #18144 - 15,922 views

        Frequently Asked Questions

        ▼ Where is Transient located?
        Transient is located in Waimapihi Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand. It is part of the Waimapihi Reserve trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -41.2942, 174.76144.
        ▼ How hard is Transient?
        Transient is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 5.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Transient?
        Transient has 692 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 126 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 234 ft to 801 ft.
        ▼ Is Transient a point to point trail?
        Transient is not a point to point trail. The direction is Uphill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Transient?
        Transient is 2.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Transient?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Transient. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ How do I access Transient? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Transient are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Transient?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 17 minutes to ride Transient. The trail is 2.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Transient?
        Transient is a very popular trail. There have been 13,420 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 18,212 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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