Distance: 2.8 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Road - Easy terrain
Altitude: 606m to 760m. Gain: 168m. Loss: 14m . Gradient: 4 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

Road (1/9)
Formed road, 4WD track, etc

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

The 4WD track climbs from the Waiau onto The Terraces and follows their broad flat expanse south. The track swings east to climb to Charlies Saddle. Just before the climb a faint 4WD track cuts off south following close to the small creek shown on the map - this provides access down the east bank of the Waiau.

At Charlies Saddle a signposted turnoff marks the start of the Stanley Vale Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Charlies Saddle the 4WD track zigzags steeply down to the flats of The Terraces. At the base of the hill a 4WD track cuts off south (unmarked) down the Waiau, following the course of the stream shown on maps.

The St James Cycleway swings north along The Terraces before dropping to the river at their northern end. The end of 4WD access and accompanying carpark is signposted at the bottom of this descent.