A short gravel track drops down to the Hurunui in North Canterbury, ending out on the open shingle flats. Classic braided river country, with wide views across the valley and plenty of room to spread out by the water.

Easy detour and a good spot to pull over for lunch or drop a line. The river's got a name for trout and salmon, so you'll often see anglers down here. Being riverside, the gravel shifts and the channels move about, so treat any track log as a rough guide rather than a fixed path.

Keep an eye on the river, as levels can rise quickly, and pick your line across the shingle carefully. It's a relaxed, scenic stop rather than anything technical, well suited to a casual day out.