The conversion of T3 from a grade 4 “technical torture trail”, to a grade 3 (intermediate) climbing trail is complete and was opened late this afternoon.

Given the trail has been completely re-purposed, we also decided a new name is in order. T4 (trail to the top) is a nod to the original idea behind T3, while reflecting the fact it’s now a climbing trail that will eventually link the water tank at the bottom of Varleys with the summit of Makara Peak.

As part of this change, we’re also opening another new section of trail that links the summit to North Face/Trickle Falls, and changing a couple of other trails around the summit. Check out the map below if you prefer a picture, but in summary:

Zac’s Track and North Face both start at the summit and share the first 70-odd metres before North Face splits right and back down towards Trickle Falls. This new section of trail, built by Trailpro and paid for by WCC, is a much more direct and interesting way of getting to Trickle Falls, Yeah Gnar or continuing on North Face.
Zac’s Track is now one way, downhill only. If you want to get one final climb up Zac’s, just watch out for more riders heading downhill towards T4.
T4 (previously T3) continues up what used to be the start of North Face.
A2Z becomes two way. Riders coming up T4 continue along A2Z to get to the summit via the recently opened final section of Aratihi.

This has all come together through funding from Wellington City Council and a lot of hard work from our contractors TGL and Trailpro.

TGL and WCC put in a massive surfacing effort on T4 last week with the help of a helicopter to distribute gravel over the length of the trail, which has been setting for the last week. What would normally take a week was done in the better part of a day and a bit.

New summit and north end trails open!