Driving the Alpine Ohakune Mountain Road in NZ
New Zealand, oceania
16.2 km
1,630 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising around the North Island of New Zealand? You HAVE to hit Ohakune Mountain Road! This sealed road, nestled in the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (and inside Tongariro National Park!), serves up some seriously sweeping views.
First opened in 1963, this beauty climbs to a whopping 1,630m (5,347ft) above sea level. We're talking postcard-perfect scenery, dotted with huge-leafed mountain cabbage trees. And get this – there's even a service road for the chairlift that goes even higher, to 2,052m (6,732ft)!
Starting from Old Station Road, you'll gain 1015 meters of elevation over its 16.2 km (10 miles). That's an average gradient of 6.26%, with some sections hitting a steeper 15%. The road is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather – it's an alpine environment, and things can change fast. Snow can close it, so be prepared for anything!
Give yourself about 20 minutes to drive it without stopping. Trust me, though, you'll WANT to stop. On a clear day, the views stretch all the way to the South Island! Plus, there are tons of points of interest along the way. Cell service is available, though it can be a bit spotty. It's honestly one of the most picturesque drives I've ever experienced.
Where is it?
Driving the Alpine Ohakune Mountain Road in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -39.2981, 175.5473
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 16.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,630 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -39.2981, 175.5473
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