Image: © Jordan Miller
Path snaking through wooded area.
Eves Valley Walk

Located in Nelson area in the Nelson/Tasman region

This walking track leads through a rare area of lowland valley floor forest.

Eves Valley Scenic Reserve is a regenerating beech-podocarp forest covering 28 hectares. The reserve has many picnic areas and a scenic 30-minute bush walk.

There are unbridged streams on the walk. In normal flows these are easily crossed, however in floods or high flows they can become impassable and you will need to wait until floodwaters recede. Assess streams carefully before crossing and if in doubt, stay out.

Eves Valley is off Waimea West Road, 27 km from Nelson.

Camping is prohibited. Fires are not permitted, nor are four-wheel bikes and motorbikes.

Wasps

There are wasps in this reserve. They are particularly common from December until April – carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Stay safe when crossing rivers

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

The Eves Valley Scenic Reserve represents one of the few remaining lowland valley floor forest remnants in the Waimea and Moutere areas.

Beech, podocarp and broadleaved species dominate the forest and it is home to several notable species of flora and fauna. For example, tawa reaches its western geographic limit in the reserve.

These is also a diverse array of native fish present in the streams and pools, including threatened species such as the short-jaw kōkopu.

Control of invasive weeds such as old man’s beard and wilding pines mean that natural forest regeneration is flourishing.