Varley's

Varley's Track

Varley’s Track was built in 1998, in the early days of Makara Peak bike park, before the land we know now got its makeover.

It’s a family affair

The Kennett brothers named it after Gareth Varley (1981 – 1998). Gareth was a Wellington mountain biker who, while representing New Zealand at the World Mountain Bike championships in Canada, died following a traffic accident. Subsequently, a memorial was erected by Brenda Clapp, president of the Victoria Mountain Bike Club.

Getting to know Varley’s

Varley’s is a 1.2km, shared two-way single-track, initially graded at level 3 (intermediate). It has now been regraded to level 4 (advanced) due to rocky, steep switchbacks and natural trail erosion. Walkers, runners and cyclists alike will know this track is challenging both up and down!

The area southwest of Karori was scrub and gorse in 1998 until the Wellington City Council injected $120,000 into redevelopment. Simon Kennett designed Varley’s using what he calls a, ‘very primitive slope measuring device’ to US Forest Service 'Intermediate MTB Trail' standards. It was the first track he designed to a standard (with the USFS recommending 8-degree slope, 1m width and 2m radius switchbacks). Francis Hoen and Simon spent days in the gorse marking out the track. Grange Gordon built the first hundred metres using a Bobcat. The volunteers were very enthusiastic at the time, so an army of people got up there and dug the rest of the trail with hand tools. Johnsonville Cycles work parties comprised most of the volunteers, while other mountain bikers pitched in. Motivation to build new tracks was high amongst passionate riders.

It was a tough landscape to work with, because the terrain was steep and rocky on the side of the hill and fully exposed to the elements. Hacking into rock for

Trail forks database reports: ‘All but the strongest and fittest riders will be huffing and puffing by the time they reach the top.’ Despite the difficulties of trail construction and weather, views from the trail are spectacular - on a good day or night - with Wellington city and surrounds in the foreground, and the Tararua and Ōrongorongo Ranges in the distance.

The forest regeneration effort has been phenomenal. Getting rid of gorse reduces fire risks and allows space for planting native vegetation. Varley’s was rather sparse back in 1998 and strong winds often thwarted efforts to revegetate. But through the persistence of the Kennett brothers and volunteers, thousands of native plants have slowly covered the hillside.

Knowing where to go

The track can be accessed on Mākara Road, as an alternative entry to the bike park, or from the Snake Charmer or Zac’s Track from the summit. The features of this track include: the memorial area with a grassy knoll below, undulating single track through native vegetation including Harakeke and Tī Kōuka. Riders are offered an exposed, rocky and rutted steep section with tight switchbacks at the bottom.