Where is Takaka Hill?
New Zealand, oceania
51.5 km
823 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through the Nelson Tasman region on New Zealand's South Island? Then you absolutely *must* experience Takaka Hill, also known as Pikikirunga Range! This beauty separates Golden Bay from Tasman Bay, making it feel like Golden Bay is a world away. The road, officially Tākaka Hill Saddle, is fully paved and known as State Highway 60 (aka Takaka Hill Highway).
Clocking in at 51.5 km (32 miles) long, the road winds from Tākaka, a charming town at the edge of Golden Bay, all the way to Motueka on Tasman Bay. This road's been around since 1888!
The pass is open 24/7, but be prepared for a fun ride! We're talking 257 corners, some hairpin turns, and gradients hitting a maximum of 13%. This road isn't scary, but it will keep you on your toes, so make sure you take motion sickness pills if you're prone. The road is wide and well-maintained, though, with plenty of places to pull over.
Budget about an hour for the drive, but let's be real, you'll want to stop. The views are unreal! From the top (elevation 823m or 2,700ft), you can see panoramic views of Tasman Bay, Golden Bay, and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park. The marble karst rock formations are also a sight to behold!
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 51.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 823 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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