Takaka Hill, also known as Pikikirunga Range, is a dramatic mountain pass between Kaiteriteri and Golden Bay in Abel Tasman National Park. If you’re driving from Nelson toward Wharariki Beach, you’ll have no choice but to pass over the hill on State Highway 60. The pass is around 51.5km long and reaches almost 800m elevation, making it one of the highest roads in New Zealand! The zig-zagging highway isn't scary, but it is a very steep and winding road with 257 corners and some almost 320-degree hairpins. The drive over Takaka Hill takes around 1 hour without stopping, but you’ll want to go slowly and should expect it to take much longer than that.

One of the best stops is the Tākaka Hill Walkway, a short but steep track leading you through a landscape straight out of Middle Earth. You’ll climb through beech forests and tussock-covered ridges before reaching a panoramic viewpoint. On a clear day, the views stretch for miles, making the effort 10000% worth it. If you want to come here, the walkway is well-signposted, and there’s a parking bay nearby, so it’s an easy detour.