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Key facts
- Distance
- 1.3 km one way
- Walking time
- 30 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Nelson area
- Seasonal restrictions
- Unbridged streams can become impassable during floods/high flows.
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This walking track leads through a rare area of lowland valley floor forest.
This DOC directory entry covers Eves Valley Walk in Tasman, within Nelson area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 1.3 km one way
- Walking time: 30 min
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
Unbridged streams can become impassable during floods/high flows.
Dog access
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
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.
Getting there
Eves Valley is off Waimea West Road, 27 km from Nelson.
Know before you go
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 and streams
If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.
Do not cross if the river or stream 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
NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows
Nature and conservation
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.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
