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2,474 ft
Distance
25 ft
Climb
-254 ft
Descent
00:04:38
Avg time
-229 ft
Altitude change
799 ft
Altitude min
1,028 ft
Altitude max
1,028 ft
Altitude start
801 ft
Altitude end
-9.3%
Grade
-43.9%
Grade max
13.2%
Grade min
407 ft
Distance climb
1,506 ft
Distance down
561 ft
Distance flat
00:04:38
Avg time
Varley's Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaMākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
Wellington -
Ref Number#408
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Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyDouble Black Diamond (3 votes)
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Local Popularity70 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 65 in E-Biking
- 40 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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National Ranking#1,040 in Mountain Biking · New Zealand [+]
- #820 in E-Biking
- #2,525 in Trail Running
- #2,799 in Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
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Ride in RainYes
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Year Opened1998
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Land OwnerWellington City Council
Named after Gareth Varley and built by Johnsonville Cycles in 1998/99, Varley's is a classic Mākara Peak trail.
With the opening of T4 in late 2022, Varley's was changed to a downhill only trail. It's a good option for riders wanting something more technical and natural, with tight switchbacks and lots of exposed bedrock.
When combined with Zac's and Wahine (in the back of Karori Park) it's a great downhill alternative for intermediate/advanced riders looking for something different.
Access Info
From the summit head down Zac's Track or Whā Out.
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.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 1 rides
- 12 miles average
6 Months
- 25 rides
- 14 miles avg distance
All
- 392 rides
- Last: Oct 17, 2026
Varley's Trail Reports
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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
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- > 6 months
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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Directions to varley-s trailhead
(-41.284660, 174.713840)
Photos
No photos have been added for Varley's yet, add a photo.
Videos
3 more »
mtb
2:17 |
74 |
Dec 6, 2024 , Wellington
mtb
3:32 |
436 |
Nov 22, 2020 , Wellington
Routes with this trail
★ 3.8 • 24 miles • 4,609 ft • 42 • Point to Point •
Starting at the Old Coach Road in Johnsonville and finishing in Owhiro Bay. This track is a solid day's...
6 miles • 1,490 ft • 19 • Loop •
The climb turns nasty up snake charmer but once at the summit, it's long technical downs: T3 & Vertigo....
43 miles • 9,985 ft • 32 • Loop •
An intermediate - advanced 70 kilometre mission around a majority of the trails in Makara. Good training...
8 Reviews & Comments
mylesarmstrong
When climbing there’s one corner that always gets me, there’s a fat root in the middle of it! Always a good descent, a change from most of the stuff in the park.
MattWilliams88
Definitely the trail to try to practice your switchback technique!
andymutch76
Switchbacks, switchbacks, switchback. Fantastic fun and has hardly changed a jot from when I last rode it. slightly weird riding it on a bike with a longer wheelbase but still one of the best trails in the park.
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Nearby Trails
- Kārearea 331 ft
- Vertigo 344 ft
- Proposed New G5 Track 397 ft
- T4 (trail To The Top) 1,115 ft
- Water Resevoir Access Road 1,115 ft
Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
- By simon-ob
MPS MP Trail Crew & contributors - #18779 - 6,382 views
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