Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for March 2020.
The gorge offers a variety of walking experiences. Escape the hustle and bustle of the nearby city and suburbs by venturing into Sturt Gorge, following the river or some of the higher trails. There are 19 marked trails in the park and adjacent Craigburn Farm Shared Trails network, with another half dozen in the adjacent Mitcham Trail Network (Zone 4, Blackwood Hill Reserve).
Most of these trails are linear or return trails, we’ve outlined two of the trails and four walking loop routes:
Walking Trails and Loops in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and Craigburn Farms Shared Trails network
1.
Lake View Trail (Craigburn Farm)
1.2km, 30 mins, moderate hike
Enjoy a stroll around the lake in the Craigburn Farms Shared Trails network in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Start from the trailhead on Bonython Way, Craigburn Farm, and follow the Lakeside Trail (marked with blue markers), walking downhill towards the lake, then following the loop around the lake.
Whilst we have displayed the pram-friendly icon, please note that it is a uphill on the return leg back to the trailhead.
It’s possible to get to the trailhead by public transport, by Adelaide Metro bus from Grand Boulevard, Craigburn Farm, which is a 1km walk east of the trailhead, or by Adelaide Metro train from Coromandel Railway Station, which is a 1.8km along pathways and some of trails in the Mitcham Trail Network.
2.
Sturt Gorge Loop along the River Trail
7.1km, 3 hours
A walk along the River Trail in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. See a Kaurna camp oven in a small cave in a cliff. The trail climbs out of the Gorge, following the Lomandra Trail with views over the Adelaide Plains, before returning back in to the gorge via the Spring Creek Trail.
The walking loop route uses the River Trail, Spring Creek Trail, Lomandra Trail, and the Parrianna Link Trail.
Start the trail from near South Road, from Riverside Reserve, end of Riverside Drive, Bedford Park. This is also an easy to reach by public transport Adelaide Metro bus.
3.
Loop of Upper Sturt Gorge, along River Trail
7.6km, 3-4 hours, hard hike
A loop of the upper section of the River Trail in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, following the river in the gorge.
The walking loop route uses the Parrianna Link Trail, River Trail, Magpie Creek Trail, River Trail, Wattle Trail, and Lomandra Trail.
4.
Walking Loop in Craigburn Farm
5.8km, 2 hours
Craigburn Farms Shared Trails are a trail network in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. As with the Recreation Park, most of the marked trails are one-way/return trails, not loop trails. We’ve outlined a 5.8km walking loop, following several one-way trails, to make a circuit hike: the Lake View Trail, the Little River Trail, the River Trail and the Magpie Creek Trails.
It’s possible to get to the trailhead by public transport, by Adelaide Metro bus from Grand Boulevard, Craigburn Farm, which is a 1km walk east of the trailhead, or by Adelaide Metro train from Coromandel Railway Station, which is a 1.8km along pathways and some of trails in the Mitcham Trail Network.
5.
Walking Loop #2 in Craigburn Farm
8.5km, 3 hours
Craigburn Farms Shared Trails are a trail network in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. As with the Recreation Park, most of the marked trails are one-way/return trails, not loop trails. We’ve outlined a 8.5km walking loop, following several one-way trails, to make a circuit hike: the Lake View Trail, Horners Corners, The River Trail and the Little River Trail.
Combine the above Walking Loop (5.8km) with this one into a single 10.7km loop.
It’s possible to get to the trailhead by public transport, by Adelaide Metro bus from Grand Boulevard, Craigburn Farm, which is a 1km walk east of the trailhead, or by Adelaide Metro train from Coromandel Railway Station, which is a 1.8km along pathways and some of trails in the Mitcham Trail Network.
6.
River Trail, Sturt Gorge
9.8km on-way (19.6km return), 4-5 hours one-way, hard hike
The River Trail follows the Sturt River through Sturt Gorge. It explores the rugged beauty of the river, including waterfalls, flowing creeks and rocky gorges.
The trail can be adventurous, with 9 river crossings and some rock scrambling. After rain expect the river to be higher, and the stepping-stones across the 9 river crossings may be underwater.
The trail could be walked one-way by using a car shuffle to return, or Adelaide Metro public buses to return, from Bus Stop 28 Main South Road to Bus Stop 37B Coromandel Parade.