Eighteen kilometres of gravel running deep into Kaimanawa Forest Park, with the scenery shifting as you go. Early on it's working country, logging blocks and skid sites, before native bush takes over toward the far end.

For about 90% of its length it's an easy gravel cruise that most vehicles will handle, a leisurely roll through the trees. The last stretch gets a tad rougher, with some rutted sections that can be more of a handful for smaller-tyred vehicles, though nothing too serious for most.

Much of it passes through active forestry, so keep an eye out for road closure signs since the road can shut when logging's underway. With replanting going on across the blocks, there's often good access to a network of side tracks branching off Kiko, plenty to poke around at an easy pace.