Varley's Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaMakara Peak Mountain Bike Park
Wellington -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (1 vote)
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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Trail UsageBiking Primary
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingHard
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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Ride in RainYes
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Global Ranking#31682 in Mountain Biking
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Local Popularity70 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 65 in E-Biking
- 70 in Trail Running
- 95 in Hiking
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Year Opened1998
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Land ManagerWellington City Council
Named after Gareth Varley and built by Johnsonville Cycles in 1998/99, Varley's is a classic two way Makara Peak trail.
As an alternative entrance into the park from Makara Road, it's one of the more challenging climbs in the park. The gradient combined with steep switchbacks and some rocky sections make it a genuinely challenging grade 4 climb. All but the strongest and fittest riders will be huffing and puffing by the time they reach the top.
When combined with Zac's and Wahine (in the back of Karori Park) it's a great downhill alternative for intermediate riders looking for something different than Peak Flow and North Face - just watch out for uphill riders and walkers connecting in from Skyline.
In 2017 the Makara Peak Supporters, with help from a number of corporate work parties, built an extension from the water tank down to Makara Road to bypass the very steep tarsealed access road.
Access Info
From the summit head down Zac's Track or T3. Uphill riders can either go up Makara Road or the really keen can go up Wahine at the back of Karori Park.
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
More Stats for Varley's mountain bike trail trail
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Altitude change313 ft
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Altitude min763 ft
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Altitude max1,083 ft
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Altitude start771 ft
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Altitude end1,083 ft
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Grade7.6%
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Grade max-6.2%
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Grade min52%
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Distance climb3,182 ft
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Distance down679 ft
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Distance flat249 ft
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Avg time00:13:12
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Avg reverse time00:05:43
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- 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%
- < 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
- Access Road/Trail
- White
- Green
- Blue
- Black
- Double Black Diamond
Trail Report Status
- Clear / Green
- Minor Issue / Yellow
- Significant Issue / Amber
- Closed
- Land Owner Overlay
- Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
- BLM (public)
- USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
- State land
- Indigenous
- Military
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
- Map Markers
Trail Head
Photo
Directory Listing
Riding Area
TTF
Parking
Viewpoint
Information
Warning
Directions
Sight
Restrooms
eBike Charging Point
Water Fountain/Source
Gate
Trail Sign
Table or Bench
Ladder
Stairs
Bridge
Boardwalk
Camping
Cabin
Lodge
Bear Cache
Dock
Ranger Station
Summit
Other
Varley's Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 9 rides
- 16 miles avg distance
6 Months
- 206 rides
- 19 miles avg distance
All
- 1,156 rides
Photos
Routes with this trail
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+ 0


Nearby Trails
- Skyline 328 ft
- Wahine 1,325 ft
- Snake Charmer 1,381 ft
- Vertigo 2,254 ft
- T4 (trail To The Top) 2,277 ft
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park
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