It is the best piece of lakeside riding in the district, a ribbon of tarmac cut into steep hillside above the water, with bends that tighten and release, and views down to the lake that make you want to stop at every turnout.
The name comes from the days before the road, when the track was so rough that it was said to be passable only by the devil himself. Today the surface is good and the road is well engineered, but it still has sheer drops on the lake side and the occasional rockfall after heavy rain. The lake is cold, deep and a rich blue, with the high peaks of the Mid Wakatipu on the far side, and in the evening the light on the mountains is superb. Traffic can be heavy in summer, with tourists in campervans, so patience is useful.
At the end of the road sits Kingston, a quiet township at the southern tip of the lake, where the Kingston Flyer once ran. Beyond it the road continues south through farmland towards Lumsden and then to Southland. The Catlins, which the ride is named for, lie on the far south-eastern coast, a long day away. The landscape in between is flat, open and green, in contrast to the mountains behind.
Riding here is a pleasure, with the lake on one side and cliffs on the other. Watch for gravel on the corners and for slow vehicles that stop suddenly for photographs. Weather can change quickly, with wind rising from the south and rain moving up the lake, so keep your waterproofs handy. Snow is possible in winter, and ice can form on shaded bends in the morning.
Fuel is available in Queenstown, about nineteen kilometres away, and in a limited form in Kingston, so fill up before you leave town. Cafes in Queenstown are plentiful, and the road itself offers many places to stop and picnic. If you are heading for the Catlins, pack food, since services are sparse.
Start early, when the lake is still and the traffic is light. The Staircase is at its best before the day-trippers arrive.