Climbing from Home Hills Runs Road, this narrow, rough track winds steeply up onto the Hawkdun Range in Otago's high country, topping out around 1620 metres with spectacular 360-degree views over the Ida Valley and surrounds. It's a genuinely tough route: a steep, shaley ascent with long undulating sections, deep washouts, sharp rocks, tight going and steep drop-offs, plus sharp switchbacks on the descents. There are a few river crossings, one of them often quite deep, so be prepared to turn back if water levels are too high. The track also passes the infamous Ida Railway Hut, an amazing place to spend the night on your way through. Plenty of inviting side tracks branch off up top if you have time to explore. Allow well more than an hour for the run, as it's slow going. Treat this as a hard track rather than medium, and check the weather before heading in, as conditions can change quickly in these exposed ranges.