Hidden Valley is folded into the western slopes of Mt Evans above Purau Bay, just beyond Diamond Harbour. In 2021, 20 people formed the Hidden Valley Conservation Trust to purchase land that was traversed by Maōri for centuries till it became part of the first European farm on Banks Peninsula. Now the Trust owns 105 hectares of steep, craggy, former farmland and streams that are slowly returning to forest and shrubland.
Join us to see the results of their weeding, trapping, and strategic planting, and how the Emission Trading scheme provides a small income. Choose between two walks that day. The short walk is 1.6 km. from 100 m to 300m altitude, with plenty of stops to look around. (3 hours long) The long walk is 5 km, from 100m to 600 m altitude, to showcase the land and views. (5 hours long) Both walks start with a brisk haul uphill till the slope eases off. Our guides for the day are Ken Morison and Alice Shanks and other Trust members.
Please contact Helen Hills : helenhills.mcp@gmail.com if you would like to register for the trip.
There is limited room for car parking at the reserve, so we will meet at the Princess Margaret Hospital carpark, Cashmere Rd, entrance 2 near the bus stop, at 8.45am, to carpool from there. Access Drive up the Purau-Port Levy Road to 66 Purau-Port Levy Road. Park on the side of the road at 9.45am From here we will meet , and drive 500m to a carpark.