Driving the steep unpaved road to Ohau Snow Fields in the Mackenzie High Country
New Zealand, oceania
9.3 km
1,469 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Nestled in the Mackenzie High Country of New Zealand's South Island, near the majestic Mt Cook, lies Ōhau Snow Fields, a ski resort sitting pretty at 1,469m (4,819ft).
The gateway? Ohau Mountain Access Road. This isn't your average mountain road. It's a well-maintained gravel track, surprisingly smooth, and one of the best alpine drives you'll find. Sure, it's narrow, seriously steep in sections (averaging 10.1%!), and missing those reassuring safety rails. Plus, with that stunning lake backdrop, the drop-offs look extra dramatic! A 4WD is a good idea, just in case. This road dates back to 1956.
The climb kicks off from Lake Ohau Road and stretches for 9.3 km (5.77 miles), climbing a whopping 940 meters. That means you're in for some hairpin turns and breathtaking scenery. Speaking of which, keep an eye on the sky—the weather up here in the Ohau Range can change on a dime, so pack accordingly!
Trust me, the drive is totally worth it. Get your camera ready because you'll be pulling over constantly for photo ops. The views up the valley towards Aoraki Mount Cook and overlooking Lake Ohau are simply epic. You'll even catch sneak peeks of the snow field before you arrive at the car park, where a full panoramic view awaits. Prepare to be amazed!
Where is it?
Driving the steep unpaved road to Ohau Snow Fields in the Mackenzie High Country is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -40.7887, 173.9162
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 9.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,469 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -40.7887, 173.9162
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