Stoke and Enner Glynn Walks
Waterhouse Reserve
Time: 30 minutes
Area: Enner Glynn
Start Location: The starting point is the Waterhouse Reserve, in Waterhouse Street, which is a left turn off Waimea Road, heading south just past the roundabout.
Download the Waterhouse Reserve map.
Route directions
The entrance to the reserve is well marked and has a seat. There are large old kanuka trees and more recent plantings of rimu and other natives.
Further up the zigzag there is a view across the Tahunanui industrial area to the beach. Ignore the gravel track which leads off to houses on the left and carry on to the top of the concrete path which brings you out in Austen Ward Heights. Take a left turn* down across Waterhouse Street to the well marked entrance to the Torlesse Street Walkway, which leads down a driveway.
At the bottom of the walkway, take a left turn into Torlesse Street and walk downhill. At the intersection of Torlesse and Waterhouse Street, take a left turn back up the hill to return to your starting point at the reserve.
Option: *An optional route is to turn right when you reach Austen Wards Heights and join the top of Calamaris Street, then head down Coster Street and back to Waterhouse Reserve. From here you could continue along Waterhouse Street, down the Torlesse Street Walkway, onto Torlesse and then left back onto Waterhouse Street and your start point.
Orphanage Creek
Time: 1 Hour
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Saxton Field - on Saxton Road East, left off Main Road Stoke. Saxton Field was farmland up until the mid 1970s when it was bought by the Nelson City Council and turned into playing fields.
Download the Orphanage Creek map.
Route directions
Start from the netball courts and head back towards Main Road Stoke and across the footbridge to your right to take in the pond.
Return over the bridge onto the playing fields and walk around the perimeter of the park. Plantings include oaks, eucalyptus and ake-ake. Take the track behind the all- weather hockey field and emerge onto Suffolk Road. Follow it along past the right turn to Clairmont Heights, then further along look out for a left turn into the walkway through to Caroline Place. Walk down Caroline Place and right onto Kingsford Drive, then along to the walkway on your left (just before Gershwin Grove). Follow this walkway to the esplanade reserve along Orphanage Creek. It gets its name from the orphanage which used to be sited further up the valley, which was later the site of Ngawhatu Hospital, now being developed for residential sections.
On the other side of the creek you get a view of the original Harcourt Homestead. Follow the creek left, all the way to Saxton Road and return to your starting point.
Monaco Peninsula
Time: 45 - 60 minutes
Area: Monaco
Note: Check the newspaper for tide times when planning this walk.
Start Location: Start at The Honest Lawyer, an Elizabethan-style country pub set off the end of Songer Street on the edge of the Monaco seafront.
Download the Monaco Peninsula map
Route directions
Proceed around the estuary on Point Road and turn right at the Monaco reserve. Cross the reserve and when you get down on to the beach turn left and continue around to the southern end of the point. The sandy beach becomes rocky half way round so the road may be easier walking. To the right you can see the tail end of the airport land, and further west is Oyster Island, a public reserve which is great for picnics if you have a boat.
Around the end of the point start heading back towards the Honest Lawyer. The western end of Point Road is a tidal zone and is sand along one portion - in a spring tide bring your gumboots!
Points of Interest
In addition to the tranquil atmosphere and interesting homes and gardens, the Monaco Peninsula walk features boats and boating activities, a couple of potteries and a stained glass studio, and a variety of interesting views across the estuary to the Richmond Range and city hills.
Orchard Stream Reserve
Time: 40 - 60 minutes
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Stoke Library on Putaitai Street.
Download the Orchard Stream Reserve map
Route directions
From the library turn left into Neale Ave and right into Songer Street. Cross Songer Street at the Railway Reserve and head south through to Orchard Stream Reserve and the sign directing you to Wordsworth Place. Walk through the reserve taking the left side of the stream. Cross over Marlowe Street and continue following the Orchard Stream. The plantings along the length of this esplanade reserve have produced a wildlife corridor - the flax flowers attract the nectar feeding birds, particularly our native tui, bellbird and wood pigeon.
Turn right into Nayland Road, cross over and take a left into Aldinga Avenue then right into Tyree Drive. Proceed to the end and past the Aldinga Reserve - a playground is located in the southeast corner. Turn left into Reeves Street, cross Songer Street, then go left into Devon Street and right into Langbein Street. Ahead is Broadgreen House and Samuels Rose Gardens. Broadgreen House was originally built in the mid 1850s for the Buxton family. In front of the house is Samuels Rose Garden, a real treat when blooming in late spring and summer. Broadgreen House is open to the public with a small entry charge.
Turn left into Nayland Road from the gardens and cross over. Continue along the road and turn right just before Broadgreen Intermediate and follow Poorman Valley Stream through to the Railway Reserve. The Railway Reserve is a notable feature of the Nelson landscape, particularly in Stoke, providing a pedestrian/cycle route running almost the entire length of the city, following the old Glenhope to Nelson railway line.
Turn right into the reserve and walk through the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walkway to Andrew Street. This avenue of rhododendrons and camellias was planted in June 1998 and continues through to Songer Street. Turn left into Andrew Street, right into Neale Avenue and back to the Stoke Library.
Tour de Stoke
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Area: Stoke
Note: Easy walk and all sealed. Suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
Start Location: Stoke Library on Putaitai Street.
Download the Tour De Stoke map.
Route directions
On the corner outside the library you'll see Oracle. The bronze sculpture Oracle was created by Grant Palliser and installed in 1996. The hand emerges from the ground in a cradling fashion, referring to Nelson's nurturing landscape and creative environment. (More info in the 'Nelson Public Art and Sculpture Walks Map' from Nelson City Council.) Turn right into Neale Avenue and continue up to the Neale Avenue Reserve. There is a set of swings at Neale Avenue reserve for the young (and the young at heart). Follow the path alongside Poorman Valley Stream, crossing the Railway Reserve, and continuing through to Nayland Road. Turn right into Nayland Road and go past the Nayland Park Swimming Complex. Turn right into Fergusson Street, then right into Cobham Crescent and further along, right into a small lane that leads on to the Railway Reserve. Alternatively carry along Fergusson Street to Newall Avenue or Jellicoe Avenue and onto the Railway Reserve, a notable feature of the Nelson landscape, particularly in Stoke, providing a pedestrian/cycle route that runs almost the entire length of the city. The reserve follows the old Glenhope to Nelson railway line.
Take the Railway Reserve through the camellias and rhododendrons of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walkway (est 1998), all the way back to Songer Street andturn left to return to the Strawbridge Square Carpark.
Marsden Valley Cemetery
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Heading up the Marsden Valley Road, the cemetery is on your right.
Download the Marsden Valley Cemetery map.
Route directions
Near the gate in the Marsden Valley, there is a Memorial Walk on your left with plaques laid out on pathways under large redwoods and larches. These trees pre-date the cemetery and were planted in the 1930s.
The main roadway through the cemetery is another left turn a little further along from the gate, after the sexton's office. Walk up the valley, emerging from the redwoods into a plantation of English oaks and out to a lawn planted with standard roses. At the head of the valley there is seat with a rural view up the valley over farmland.
Returning down the same roadway you can take in the pleasant view out over Monaco to Rabbit Island. Retrace your steps around the lawn with standard roses where there are seats to rest, contemplate and enjoy the view. Walk down to the sexton's office and take a left turn up the second roadway which leads up the western side of the valley, past the RSA section. An interpretive panel has a map of this section and commemorative plaques mark trees planted by various sections of the services on the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. This part of the walk is planted with silk trees.
The path leads around to your right and passes a stand of douglas firs and a strip of redwoods, before turning back down the valley to your starting point at the gate.
Marsden Valley Memorial Walk
Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Heading up the Marsden Valley Road, the cemetery is on your right.
Download the Marsden Valley Cemetery map.
Route directions
Near the gate in the Marsden Valley, there is a Memorial Walk on your left with plaques laid out on pathways under large redwoods and larches. These trees pre-date the cemetery and were planted in the 1930s.
The main roadway through the cemetery is another left turn a little further along from the gate, after the sexton's office. Walk up the valley, emerging from the redwoods into a plantation of English oaks and out to a lawn planted with standard roses. At the head of the valley there is seat with a rural view up the valley over farmland.
Returning down the same roadway you can take in the pleasant view out over Monaco to Rabbit Island. Retrace your steps around the lawn with standard roses where there are seats to rest, contemplate and enjoy the view. Walk down to the sexton's office and take a left turn up the second roadway which leads up the western side of the valley, past the RSA section. An interpretive panel has a map of this section and commemorative plaques mark trees planted by various sections of the services on the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. This part of the walk is planted with silk trees.
The path leads around to your right and passes a stand of douglas firs and a strip of redwoods, before turning back down the valley to your starting point at the gate.
Old Weir
Time: 45 minutes
Area: Marsden Valley, Stoke.
Start Location: Drive up the Marsden Valley Road past the cemetery to the start of the school plantings. Look for the sign for the Barnicoat walkway where there is a carpark.
Route directions
Just before the quarry entrance, cross the bridge on your right and take the gravel track up to the locked double gate.
Ignore the road which curves off to the right across the river to the Barnicoat and walk on through the school plantings. Carry on up the hill as it steepens, through tutu, taupata, lemonwood and wineberry. The road flattens out at the Old Weir, the original Ngawhatu Hospital water supply.
Turn back and retrace your steps to the carpark at the bottom of the valley. On the way down there is a good view out to Tasman Bay.
Railway Reserve
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Area: Stoke
Start Location: The Stoke Library on Putaitai Street
Download the Railway Reserve map.
Route directions
Turn right into Neale Avenue and left into Andrew Street. Turn right into the Railway Reserve and walk through the memorial walkway of rhododendrons and camellias, commemorating Diana, Princess of Wales. Continue along the Railway Reserve to Quarantine Road.
Take the pedestrian/cyclist Annesbrook overbridge to the right and then cross the road next to the Stafford Avenue overbridge. Take the path along the left side of Stafford Avenue which comes out at the end of Cawthron Crescent.
Turn left into Beatsons Road and right into a walkway just past Jenkins Place following the pathway out to Waimea Road before taking the underpass to the other side of the road.
Take Chings Road through to The Ridgeway and follow it back to Marsden Road. Along The Ridgeway there are fantastic views of the Waimea estuary and Mount Arthur Range. On your way you'll pass the Ridgeways subdivision - if you like some off-road hiking try the Ridgeways skyline down into the Marsden Valley.
Alternatively, if you go to the top of the new road you'll get a panoramic view right across the Waimea Plains.
Turn right into Marsden Road and left into Hilliard Street and go through to Isel Park - home of Isel House, originally built in 1848 by Thomas Marsden as a little cottage but with major renovations over the next 50 years. Wander through Isel Park back to Main Road Stoke. Take in some of the garden's charm - in the glasshouse are tropical vireya rhododendrons which flower all year and through the park are many fine trees, some of which are the largest of their species known in New Zealand.
Cross Main Road Stoke into Putaitai Street and back to the Stoke Library.
Ridgeway Hills
Time: 1 hour
Area: Enner Glynn
Start Location: Heading away from Nelson turn left off Waimea Road to the Ridgeway. Your starting point is the Poplar Reserve on the right hand side of the Ridgeway subdivision.
Download the Ridgeway Hills map.
Route directions
Take the walking path through tree plantings to the top, where there is a seat and a short set of steps leading down to Arapiki Road.
Walk down the steep hill through pleasant residential gardens to The Ridgeway and turn right - crossing over to the footpath. Carry on and just before the Enner Glynn School take a right turn into Baigent Road. Up and over the crest of the hill, turn right into Newman Drive. At the top follow the road around the right side of the hill with a view out over Stoke and the airport to Rabbit Island. At the top you also get a southern view over to Jenkins Creek.
At the head of the valley a track leads into the plantings of the Bolwell Reserve. The Bolwell Reserve is named after Waverney and David Bolwell who became a legend in Nelson for community service that included encouraging youngsters to plant trees and enjoy the outdoors. This track takes you down the hill to your starting point, opposite Poplar Reserve.
Barnicoat
Time: 3 hours
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Drive up the Marsden Valley past the cemetery and park on the right hand side of the road where the walkway start is well signposted.
Route directions
The walkway leads off across a footbridge on the right, and climbs up to join the 4WD track. About 10 minutes up the track the walkway diverts off to the left up a steep slope. Continue on through the pine forest. There are good views over the Ngawhatu Valley and out to Monaco. The track comes out by power lines, and curves around the side of the hill to the right. (The straight ahead option takes you on to Jenkins Hill.)
Walk along the hillside taking the left option where the road forks, until you come to the signpost indicating the paragliding area - this hill has great thermals and excellent flying conditions. The view off to the west is of the Richmond Range, from Dun Mountain in the east, then Fishtail, Mount Fell, Mount Richmond, Starveall and the pointy little 'Bishop's Cap'.
After you've rested and enjoyed the view, head straight ahead down the hill to strike the road and take a left to return back down to the walkway start.
