Marsden Valley Reserve Walk
Nelson · Nelson-Tasman · Out & Back
The dog rule shown here is resolved against the council zone this walk sits in. Route details come from licensed public walk data. Nelson City Council’s own wording: “Nelson City Council Dog Control Policy 2020, Schedule One item 20: "Dogs are permitted to be off leash on the formed cycling and walking tracks within Marsden Valley Reserve, including Involution Trail. However, they are prohibited from being in the bush areas (off the tracks) in the part of Marsden Valley Reserve to the east of the Barnicoat Walkway. This part of Marsden Valley Reserve, which is largely native bush, is habitat for a growing weka population." Off the lead on the formed track, and the dog stays on it: the bush either side is a no-dogs area under the same item”. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
About Marsden Valley Reserve Walk
Near Nelson in Nelson-Tasman, Marsden Valley Reserve Walk runs 1.1 km as an out-and-back.
The council's dog-rule map labels the whole eastern half of Marsden Valley Reserve Dogs Prohibited, and for a while this page read that as a ban on the track. The policy behind the map says the opposite for the formed tracks: off the lead on them, prohibited in the bush off them, to protect the weka that have moved back in. Stay on the track and the rule is on your side. The steep Scout Track up to Involution starts from the weir at the top of this valley road.
Expect moderate going, with around 38 m of climb, pitching up to 22 % at its steepest, and takes about 22 min to walk.
The track takes in native forest. Dogs are welcome here. Walkers rate it 4.5 / 5 across 8 reviews.