Off SH6 at Woodstock, a gravel road runs deep into the valley alongside the Baton River, working its way toward the edge of Kahurangi National Park. Bush-clad hills rise on either side and the river stays close as you head further inland, so there's plenty of classic backcountry to look at.

The road is narrow and can get rough in places, with a few tight sections to pick your way through. Nothing too technical, but worth taking the corners slowly and keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic on the pinched bits.

Good one if you want to explore the fringes of Kahurangi without much fuss. Careful driving gets you a real sense of being off the beaten track.