Upswing Details
-
Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
-
Riding AreaMākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
Wellington -
Difficulty Rating
-
Voted DifficultyGreen (1 vote)
-
Trail TypeSingletrack
-
Bike TypeAM, XC
-
DirectionUphill OnlyPopular direction shown
-
Climb DifficultyBlue
-
Physical RatingModerate
-
SeasonAll seasons
-
Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
-
TTFs on TrailBridge
-
Ride in RainYes
-
Global Ranking
-
Local Popularity100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 80 in Trail Running
- 75 in Hiking
-
Year Opened2017
-
Land Owner
Upswing is the new climbing track that provides a much easier and more enjoyable way of getting to the summit of Makara Peak compared with Missing Link or Snakecharmer.
The first part of the track was built in 2016 by volunteers and corporate work parties. It climbs at a pretty gentle gradient through a series of eight switchbacks before crossing the 72 metre long Wild At Heart suspension bridge. The suspension bridge was planned by the Makara Peak Supporters, who also raised the funds and coordinated volunteers to assist Abseil Access with the construction of the bridge.
The bridge crosses high above a steep sided gully and native bush. There are viewing platforms and picnic areas on both sides of the bridge where you can enjoy the views of the bridge and the centre of the park.
The second portion of the track continues at a mellow gradient around the valley before joining about three quarters of the way up Aratihi. This section of the trail was digger and rock breaker built by TGL Contracting with funding from the Wellington City Council.
From there riders can continue for another 10 minutes of climbing to the summit or choose to head into the south west corner of the park via Upper Leaping Lizard.
Access Info
From the main carpark, head up Koru and Sally Alley. At the end of Sally Alley, turn right onto the 4WD track for 25m and then left onto Three Brothers . From St Albans Ave, head up Snake Charmer (4WD track) and drop into Sally Alley at one of the connector tracks.
Local Trail Association
-
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Upswing mountain bike trail trail
-
Altitude change148 ft
-
Altitude min899 ft
-
Altitude max1,079 ft
-
Altitude start899 ft
-
Altitude end1,047 ft
-
Grade3.7%
-
Grade max-54%
-
Grade min44.5%
-
Distance climb2,536 ft
-
Distance down1,191 ft
-
Distance flat312 ft
-
Avg time00:07:32
-
Avg reverse time00:07:49
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.
SaveUpswing Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
- 12 rides
- 14 miles avg distance
- 320 rides
- 13 miles avg distance
- 2,675 rides
- Last: Jun 24, 2025
Photos
Trail Lists
-
List of tracks
11 trails
Routes with this trail
3 Reviews & Comments
We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!
Create a FREE account to view trail comments and much more.
Nearby Trails
- Three Brothers (part 2) 1,014 ft
- Tower 18 Connector 1,132 ft
- Aratihi 1,509 ft
- Peak Flow To Ridgeline Connector 1,578 ft
- Three Brothers (part 1) 1,604 ft
Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
- By simon-ob
MPS MP Trail Crew & contributors
- #81749 - 10,359 views
- follow/subscribe
- login to download gpx or kml files.
You must enter a description before submitting.