An epic enthralling road to Rough Ridge in NZ

An epic enthralling road to Rough Ridge in NZ

New Zealand, oceania

Length

46.1 km

Elevation

1,040 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Rough Ridge, nestled way up high in New Zealand's Otago Region, is calling your name! We're talking a lofty 1,040m (3,412ft) above sea level, so buckle up for some serious views.

This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be tackling the legendary Old Dunstan Road (aka The Dunstan Trail), a 46.1 km (28.64 miles) stretch of mostly unpaved glory, winding from Clarks Junction on State Highway 87 to Upper Taieri-Paerau Road.

Picture this: you start on smooth sealed sections, but before long you're bouncing along gravel, clay, and exposed rock. Things get steep in places, so be prepared for a bit of a climb! This track, high in the Lammermoor Range, offers scenery that'll blow your mind. Word of caution: this beast is usually closed from the first Tuesday in June until September 30th for winter, and after rain, parts can become a sticky, muddy mess. A 4x4 is highly recommended for much of the route!

Where is it?

An epic enthralling road to Rough Ridge in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.5348, 173.3779

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Road Details

Country
New Zealand
Continent
oceania
Length
46.1 km
Max Elevation
1,040 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-40.5348, 173.3779

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