Arthur's Pass
SH 73Arthur's Pass to Ōtira · Canterbury
Distance10.0mi · 16 km
Drive time22 minon the road
DifficultyDemanding
MountainValleyForest
Highest of the three Southern Alps road crossings via Otira Viaduct.
State Highway 73 crosses Arthur's Pass at about 920 metres between Bealey on the Canterbury side and Otira on the West Coast, the highest of the three roads over the Southern Alps. The dramatic western descent runs down the Otira Gorge over the 440-metre Otira Viaduct, opened in 1999 to replace a notoriously slip-prone section, with gradients reaching around 16 percent. Mind the steep gorge grades, rockfall and snow or ice in winter.
Where it runs
Arthur's PassStart · Canterbury
ŌtiraEnd · New Zealand
Character
Corners70bends
Tightness7of 10
Max gradient16%≈ 1-in-6
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb217 mtotal ascent
Summit925 mhighest point · 3035 ft
SummerAutumn
Elevation
531 m rangeKnow before you go
- Steep grades up to about 16 percent in the Otira Gorge
- Rockfall and slips on scree slopes
- Snow and ice in winter
Along the road
- viewpoint Bridal Veil Falls lookout
- viewpoint Ōtira Viaduct Lookout at Deaths Corner
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Arthur's Pass.
