We know the area between Raikia Gorge and the Hakatere Conservation Park (west of Mount Somers) well as the family has owned a bach at Lake Clearwater for many years. We were looking for a tough ride that took us out of our comfort zone and into the hills. After some research on various FB groups, we decided on the Stour River loop out to Lake Emma and back. The weather wasn't looking too flash and as the route had several river crossings we held off departing until mid-morning. The cloud had lifted as we parked in DOC car park situated at the junction of Hakatere Road and Stour River. The track began as a rocky single track through sparse matagouri and flax bush keeping to the left of the fast-flowing, but shallow Stour River. Bluffs and gorse-covered hills rose majestically around up with whispy, light clouds showing the moisture in the air. Missing our first river crossing we struggled through thick foliage instead of taking an easy river crossing. Fine drizzle came down as we struggled to lift and drag my MTB and Maree's 25kg Giant eBike through thick matagouri and flax. The river crossing would have been easier. The valley opened out and for a while, we rode on a narrow 4WD track in open country. As the afternoon wore on, the clouds lifted from the hills of Mount Barossa to our left and the Mount Somers Range to our right and as we crested the highest point of the ride the sun shone down on Lake Emma. We stopped for the lunch we'd bought along and the silence overwhelmed us. The terrain on the second half of the loopback to Hakatera Road could not have been more different than the way in. The 4WD tracks gave way to gravel and then bitumen road and the headwind became a very pleasant tailwind. Two hours thirty-six minutes of travel time for 36.8km with altitude gains of 240 meters - a very enjoyable day's outing - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1021906540?ref=aso