Up in the hills behind Ross, an old miners' route climbs to over 900 metres through dense native bush. The drive is a serious one, best left to experienced drivers in well set-up vehicles. Expect deep mud holes, off-camber sections, and tight, steep climbs that get treacherous in the wet.

The first 20 minutes or so are especially tight, with close-in gorse that will scratch paintwork, so don't bring anything you're precious about. There are some good flexing obstacles along the way, and a notorious papa mud hole partway up that stops most vehicles and turns back even serious crawlers. Clear that and you carry on to the top. If you can't, you miss the payoff.

No casual drive, this one. It wants a winch, recovery gear, and at least one other vehicle along for safety. Make the summit and you get views out over the Tasman Sea and the inland ranges, and you might spot kea in the bush along the way. A proper West Coast mission for anyone who likes their 4WDing raw and remote.