Lizard Loop
Mountain Biking6.1km
This popular 6km loop located in the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park, is great for riders looking for some variety or to extend their normal ride.
View trail
About the park
Set in 250 hectares of dense native bush, Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park is located 7km from central Wellington. It offers mountain bikers a range of trails over 45km of varied terrain.
The world-class tracks weave their way around Mākara Peak, offering views over the suburb of Karori, central Wellington, and on a clear day, the South Island. The park doubles as a pest-free haven for native birds, plants and local wildlife.
Established in 1998 by a group of volunteers, what was once a gorse-covered farm, is now used by thousands of riders and walkers every year. The trails have been future-proofed to ensure minimal damage to the surrounding native bush. An ongoing reforestation project has planted 38,000 trees. The project gained two prestigious conservation awards, acknowledging the work.
Whether you’re looking for an easy ride for all the family or an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of trails available. Walkers can use the trails but must give way to bikers, as Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park is a bike-priority park.
Find your wild at Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
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Visual: A drone flies over green bushes and hills, with a mountain biker on a trail. The title ‘Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park’ flashes across the screen in yellow text. The drone continues to show the trail winding through the bush in a birds-eye view. The city of Wellington and the Wellington harbour are in the distance.
Audio: [voiceover] Set amongst 250 hectares of regenerating native bush, offering more than 40 trail options, and panoramic views, Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park is a world-class riding experience.
Visual: A person talking to the camera while standing next to their mountain bike. The camera then goes back to drone shots and where there are bike riders doing jumps on their bikes on the trail.
Audio: With the largest trail network in the lower north island, and right on Wellington city’s doorstep, Mākara Peak has something for riders of all abilities.
Visual: A person walking their bike along a trail, talking to the camera, and then cuts to a clip of walkers with a dog on the track moving out of the way for a biker going past.
Audio: Walking is permitted on the trails however, Mākara Peak is a bike-priority park, so walkers give way to bikers here. Dogs are welcome to join if they’re on a leash.
Visual: The drone flies over the track, and the camera pans into more frames of bikers on the trail. A person bikes towards the camera.
Audio: There are flowing single-track trails, with gentle gradients, that are perfect for beginners, children, and families. Plus, there are some of the steepest, gnarliest, and technical descents to challenge even the most seasoned of riders.
Visual: The drone flies over the hills and green bush of Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park, and pans to the panoramic views of Wellington. The biker then goes over a bridge between two hills.
Audio: The park was established in 1998 when the Wellington city council retired 200 hectares of farmland for community recreation. Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park supporters group work with the council to develop the park and restore the area back to native forest.
Visual: The drone flies amongst the native bush and trees, with clips of birds flying.
Audio: An important part of Wellington’s outer green belt, the park is classified as a key native ecosystem, Providing an important habitat for native birds and wildlife. Over 4,500 volunteer hours are spent developing and maintaining the park each year. To date, 45 kilometres of trails have been built, and over 50,000 native seedlings planted.
Visual: Drone shots of Wellington Harbour from the top of the mountain with the biker in the centre. The biker then talks to the camera and can be seen in a bar drinking and eating.
Audio: Music plays.
Audio: Once at the top of Mākara Peak, you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views across Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait, and the upper South Island. The trail network then descends back down over a smorgasbord of trails, offering up many fun options, whatever your appetite. For a longer outing, there’s options to link up your ride to the Skyline walkway, Wright’s hill, Zealandia’s fence line, and Waimapihi reservoir. Or, just head into the city for that post-ride drink. So get on your bike for your next adventure. find your wild at Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park.
Audio: Music plays.
Visual: Find your wild logo and website URL appear over an aerial shot of Mākara Peak. Fades to black.
Caleb Smith Photography
Getting there
There are regular bus services to Karori and the surrounding area. Bus timetables are available from the Metlink website.
If going by car, there are four main entry points, three of which have maps and information boards. The main entrance is on South Karori Road. Park in the car park, with overflow available 250m further down the road. Tracks can also be accessed via St Albans Avenue, Makara Road, and between 112-113 Allington Road.