A steep single-lane dirt road to Mount Hutt in NZ

A steep single-lane dirt road to Mount Hutt in NZ

New Zealand, oceania

Length

14.1 km

Elevation

1,597 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Mt Hutt Ski Area in New Zealand's stunning Canterbury region, get ready for a wild ride! We're talking about Mount Hutt Skifield Road, the unpaved access road that's not for the faint of heart.

This isn't your average Sunday drive. This winding dirt road climbs like crazy, starting from Mclennans Bush Road and stretching 14.1km up into the Southern Alps. You'll gain a whopping 1173 meters in elevation, meaning some seriously steep sections with gradients hitting up to 24%! And if you are feeling extra adventurous, a service road near the resort will take you up to 2,062m!

Built back in the 70s, this road is known for its sharp, barrier-free corners and can get super icy, muddy, and slippery. Translation? Chains are a must-have. Mt Hutt gets dumped on with an average of 4 meters of snow each season, which can lead to closures, so be sure to check the forecast before you go.

But, when the weather plays nice, even a 2WD can conquer this beast. Just be prepared for an epic climb with some seriously breathtaking views!

Where is it?

A steep single-lane dirt road to Mount Hutt in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -43.4846, 171.5320

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Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
14.1 km
Max Elevation
1,597 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-43.4846, 171.5320

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