Right up amongst the mountains in the Ahuriri Conservation Park, this is one of the better high-country valley drives going. In dry conditions a two-wheel drive can get as far as the conservation park boundary, but you'll want a four-wheel drive from there through to the car park at the road end.

The route runs past Ahuriri Base Hut, a good spot to overnight before tramping further up the valley toward the Dingle Burn. Along the way there's Horseshoe Lagoon, sweeping mountain views, and some excellent fishing in the river. It's gravel and dirt with potholes that get more pronounced past the Ben Avon turn-off, and the going gets rougher the further in you head.

Generally very doable in a stock factory 4x4. Stick to the marked route and keep off the private station land. A genuinely beautiful drive into remote high country.