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Saddle Road, Tararua Ranges, Manawatū-Whanganui
Photo: Geoff McKay · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington

Saddle Road

Saddle Road · Ashhurst → Woodville

Intense5.2 mi10 min1,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,200 ftOne way
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The drive

Saddle Road links Ashhurst and Woodville over the Ruahine foothills, a short, steep climb and descent of just 8 km. The road is narrow and sealed, and most of it is bends, with hairpins on both sides of the saddle.

It was the main route across the range while the Manawatū Gorge road was closed, and it served as the alternative State Highway 3 while construction of the new highway was under way. That highway, Te Ahu a Turanga, opened on 11 June 2025. It is 11.5 km, with two lanes in each direction and a 100 km/h limit, and takes 10 to 12 minutes.

With SH3 traffic now on the new road, Saddle Road is far quieter than it was. This drive covers it from Ashhurst to Woodville.

Along the way

  1. Ashhurst
  2. Woodville
Elevation
1,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,200 ft
AshhurstWoodville
Curves
Twisty most of the way
AshhurstWoodville
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Saddle Road is narrow and twisty, with steep bends on both sides of the saddle; take it slowly.
  • Most through traffic now uses Te Ahu a Turanga, so Saddle Road mainly carries local traffic.
  • The road has closed after crashes in the past, so check NZTA Journeys if you have a deadline.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journeys: traffic and road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long is Saddle Road between Ashhurst and Woodville?

Saddle Road from Ashhurst to Woodville is 8 km (5 mi) and takes about 10 minutes.

Is Saddle Road still the way to Woodville?

Saddle Road still connects Ashhurst and Woodville, but State Highway 3 traffic has used the new Te Ahu a Turanga highway since 11 June 2025.

How twisty is Saddle Road?

Very. Saddle Road is a narrow sealed road with hairpins and steep bends for most of its 8 km, climbing about 1,200 feet.

What is Te Ahu a Turanga?

Te Ahu a Turanga is NZTA's 11.5 km highway between Ashhurst and Woodville, which opened on 11 June 2025 with two lanes in each direction and a 100 km/h limit.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 4 drives in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Saddle Road, from Ashhurst to Woodville