Running up the western side of Lake Coleridge, this long winding gravel road climbs through open alpine country to a basic campsite near the top of the lake. Brilliant views the whole way, with plenty of spots to pull over and take it all in.

The surface is rough but generally wide enough for two vehicles to pass with care. Expect deep gravel in places, steep climbs and descents, and a fair bit of dust in dry weather. Taken slowly it's manageable in most vehicles on any tyre, though AWD is reassuring on the rougher sections. In winter the whole route can be under snow.

Several side tracks branch off the main road and are worth a look. One about halfway along reportedly has a better lake view than the campsite itself. At the end there's a simple campsite with a long drop and a hut. This is shared with Te Araroa walkers, so drive slowly and keep your dust down where you can.