Taking on the Twists and Turns of Crown Range Summit in NZ
New Zealand, oceania
50 km
1,079 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Crown Range Road in New Zealand's South Island, somewhere between Arrow Junction and Wanaka. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though! This fully paved road clocks in at 50km (31 miles) and climbs to a whopping 1,079m (3,540ft) above sea level.
Now, let's be real – this road's got some bite! Think hairpin turns galore and some seriously steep drops into a breathtaking gorge. It's not for the newbies or anyone towing a caravan, and definitely not for vehicles over 12 meters. But hey, if you're up for a challenge, the views are totally worth it!
They say it's the highest main road in New Zealand, nestled right in the Southern Alps. Winter (May to October) turns it into a snowy wonderland, but be warned – ice and snow chains are your best friends.
But seriously, the mountain views are insane! Every twist and turn reveals a postcard-worthy scene. Give yourself plenty of time (about 1.5 hours without stops, but who can resist stopping?!) and be prepared to pull over for photo ops. The late afternoon light as you descend into the alpine valley? Pure magic. Just keep your eyes on the road, because those views can be dangerously distracting!
Where is it?
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Crown Range Summit in NZ is located in New Zealand (oceania). Coordinates: -41.2347, 174.5813
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 50 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,079 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -41.2347, 174.5813
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