20 min from Nelson

Eves Valley Scenic Reserve is located at the end of Eves Valley Rd. From Richmond, head west along SH60 then turn left onto River Rd after crossing the Appleby Bridge. Turn left onto Waimea West Rd, then right onto Eves Valley Rd. There is a parking area next to the entrance to the reserve.

The reserve protects one of the few remaining stands of the native beech-podocarp forest that once covered the Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills. Mature native podocarps stand tall; specifically, totara, matai, kahikatea and rimu, with silver and black beech also featuring. The understory is a rich mix of species, including red matipo, putaputaweta, tawa, titoki, toro, young miro and ferns. The canopy is home to kereru, tui and bellbirds.

An easy 1.6 km loop track heads through the reserve, crossing Eves Valley Stream several times. The western end of the circuit connects back to the forestry road on the other side of the locked Tasman Pine Forests gate. Head back along the road and pass the gate to return to where you started. The grassed area adjacent to the road and forest glades on the fringe of the bush provide good picnic spots.