Mt Evans Route

Mt Evans Route is a 5.5 km one-way walk from the old turnoff just before Moa Park's tussock basin to a Canaan Loop connection. The 2.4 km figure to the summit covers only the first part. This line continues south across Pt 1090, then drops west through thicker undergrowth and fallen timber to farmland. Allow roughly 2–3 hours for this leg.

Mt Evans is Abel Tasman National Park's highest point at 1,156 m. The summit's granite and quartz outcrop rises just above the tree canopy; climb onto the rock for views across Canaan Downs and the Kahurangi Mountains, and down Evans Range toward the Tasman Bay hinterland. The high point itself is more enclosed than the exposed rock.

Start at Canaan Downs car park, then walk about 5.1 km on Moa Park Track to the Mt Evans turnoff. Canaan Road is 11 km of narrow, winding, unsealed road from State Highway 60. After the through route reaches farmland, follow Canaan Loop back to the same car park; that full Canaan Downs circuit is 16.3 km and 5–7 hours. If you turn back at the summit instead, the Mt Evans section is about 4.8 km round trip from Moa Park, before adding the approach.

The route leaves the open tussock basin and climbs through silver beech and mountain cedar on old orange markers. It has not been maintained for decades, and the southern descent is the trickiest part to follow. There are few reliable water sources along Evans Ridge, and snow falls occasionally around Moa Park and the upper ridge. Dogs are not allowed on the Inland Track approach or in this part of the park.