Where is Island Saddle?
New Zealand, oceania
112 km
1,371 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Island Saddle in New Zealand is calling your name! We're talking about the highest public road in the country, sitting pretty at 1,371 meters (4,498 feet). You'll find this beauty straddling the Canterbury and Marlborough regions up north.
This rugged track, known as Rainbow Road (or Rainbow Valley–Hanmer Road if you're feeling formal), stretches for 112 kilometers (70 miles) between Hanmer Springs and Saint Arnaud. Picture this: stunning views, but hold on tight—it's unpaved ALL the way to the top.
Word to the wise: this is 4WD territory. You can get as far as Lake Tennyson in a 2WD, but beyond that, you'll want something tougher. Also, keep in mind that Island Saddle likes to play hard to get. Since it crosses private land, it’s generally only open from late December to early April. So plan your trip accordingly and get ready for some seriously epic scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 112 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,371 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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