Involution
Marsden Valley Reserve
Involution is an intermediate-difficulty shared track that descends from the top of Barnicoat Range into Marsden Valley. The track passes through native bush the whole way down, and along with nearby Te Ara Koa, is one of the longest continuously descending MTB tracks within close range of any city in New Zealand.
| Details | |
| Distances | 3.7 km; circuit from car park with Barnicoat Walkway and Widdershins is 9 km; circuit with Glider Road and Widdershins is 11.5 km |
| Time Required | 1 hr 15 min going up (walking, from road end to top) |
| Trail Type | Shared track |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Technical Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Uses | Walking, trail running and MTB |
| Direction | Either |
| Start Elevation | 715 m |
| Finish Elevation | 195 m |
Jenkins Hill
Walking, trail running and MTB
Loop/Weir Track
Walking, trail running and MTB
Scout Track
Walking and trail running
Widdershins
Walking, trail running and MTB
5 min from Stoke
All Marsden Valley and Barnicoat Range trails can be accessed off the end of Marsden Valley Rd, 5 min from Stoke. At the end of Marsden Valley Rd, just before the quarry, there is a car park on the right. Here you will find an information panel with a map and details on trail times and distances.
The uphill end of Involution starts on Jenkins Hill 4WD Road, right at the eastern end of Widdershins, at 715 m elevation. The most straightforward way to get there is via either Barnicoat Walkway or Glider Road and Widdershins. Both ends of Involution are signposted.
Involution is entirely within Marsden Valley Reserve, which is managed by Nelson City Council.
The track descends gently off the top of the range, dropping through a series of tight turns among beech and kāmahi forest. Beyond the turnoff to Scout Track, Involution descends the face of the range through a couple of sweeping zig-zags with tight corners. The track heads around two lush gullies, crossing small tributaries of Poorman Stream in each, and then descends through another series of sweeping zig-zags through regenerating native bush. Near its lower end, Involution crosses the track to the historic Ngawhatu Weir, then drops into the gully next to Poorman Stream, winding for a further 150 m to the end at the Loop Track stream crossing. Turn right and follow the 4WD road 500 m back to Marsden Valley Road.
Involution is equally popular among walkers, runners and bikers, and can be completed in either direction. If you’re heading uphill, the native bush and winding track provide a more interesting experience and a gentler gradient than nearby Glider Road (just be cautious of mountain bikers coming down).
Involution has a technical rating of intermediate. There are lots of roots, particularly near the top of the range, which can be quite slippery when wet. There are narrow, rocky sections the whole way down, and some tight turns and tree trunks to negotiate. Involution is on Nelson City Council land (Marsden Valley Reserve) but is managed by the Nelson MTB Club.
