Each week, we highlight our fave tramping trails in New Zealand for day and multi day hikes across Nelson Tasman (and beyond!)
Scout Track, Barnicoat, Marsden Valley
Keeping it local to Nelson this week! This awesome track is a less well known route up Barnicoat in the Richmond Forest Park, that we want everyone to know about! And a bonus: this trail is dog friendly 
The route up is steep and rough, through gorgeous native bush. It’s a real leg burner that gets your heart rate pumping, with a rope in place to help you up the steepest section
Park up at the end of Marsden Valley Road in the new and improved car park, just before the quarry.
This 5.5km loop takes 1.5-2 hours with 500m vert gain. Head up the road, cross the bridge and pass through the gate. Follow the 4WD road, keeping to the left until you reach Poorman Stream.
Here you will spot a steep muddy slope with a rope, and it’s all uphill until the track crosses with Involution Trail.
Involution connects with Jenkins Hill 4WD Road and Widdershins at the top of the range (715m elevation). Here, you can follow Involution back down to the car park.
Top tips - It is definitely easier to walk up than down the Scout, and good footwear is needed as it’s rougher than other tracks here.
Send us some snaps of your rope climbs!