Picking up where the Skippers Canyon route leaves off, this one carries you hundreds of metres above the river out towards the Shotover heads. Not one for anybody scared of heights. You wind along the edge of a cliff with canyon views the whole way.

The earlier section is the most demanding, with a narrow track and very tight corners. There's one sketchy bend a few minutes in that's worth getting out and walking first. Past the tighter bits it settles into a thoroughly enjoyable drive, with a handful of small stream crossings and the odd waterfall to look at along the way.

Two historic miners' huts sit beside the track and are worth stopping to walk through for a taste of the gold-mining past. There's also good offshoot access down to the river. Take it easy on the cliff edges, and watch for low sun and dust on the return, especially when travelling with more than one vehicle. The end of the track would make a good spot to pitch up for the night.