Down in the valley, she shows us the short way up (3)
I believe the answer is:
eva
'down in the valley she shows us' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'short way up' is the wordplay.
'short way' becomes 'ave' (abbreviation for avenue; 'short' suggests an abbreviation).
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'ave' in reverse letter order is 'EVA'.
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eva that I've seen before include "Braun, Brick or Peron" , "- - , nee Braun" , "-- Braun, Hitler mistress" , "- Braun, Hitler's mistress" , "-- Pern" .)