Mangaopapa Road branches off the Forgotten World Highway in Taranaki's remote inland country. It's an easy, mostly gravel route — wide but a little bumpy in places — that makes for a relaxed drive through the area's rolling bush and farmland. The highlight is the unlined tunnel near the highway end, one of the traditional tunnels characteristic of this part of the region. Hand-cut through the rock and left unlined, it's a genuinely impressive feature and well worth the detour. The road suits most vehicles and is a good option for those exploring the wider Forgotten World Highway area.