Up in the hills above Patea Dam, this clay-and-gravel hill track climbs with good views the whole way along. In the dry it sits somewhere between easy and medium, mostly a dirt road with optional technical side lines if you want more of a challenge.

The further in you go, the more it tightens up and the more technical it gets, with steep ups and downs. There's an old gate partway along, and beyond it the bush closes in, so expect some bush rash if you push to the end. Deep ruts left by bog holes mean ground clearance helps, and 4WD is worth having even in the dry for the steep pinches.

Rain changes everything. The clay turns treacherously slippery and it quickly becomes a hard route, so save it for drier spells. In the dry it's a genuinely fun run and a good one for newer drivers wanting to push themselves. Closed over winter (closes 27 May, reopens 1 November).