Despite the morning’s rain and wind over 120 people participated in the six hikes for Sunday 16th October’s Trails Less Travelled event, exploring the different walking trails up to Mt Lofty summit.
The walkers were welcomed at the summit by our two intrepid explorers with goody bags and competition entry forms (congratulations Emily Young from Unley for winning a Mountain Designs day pack and a set of walking poles valued at $300.)
You can walk these trails yourself anytime. We’ve outlined the best ones below with maps and details.
Thanks to all our volunteers for making the event happening, including Heart Foundation Walking for packing the goody bags, for our walk leaders including volunteers from the Friends of the Heysen Trail, ARPA Bushwalkers, Adelaide Happy Wanderers, Heart Foundation Walking and Walking SA volunteers, for our stall holders including ARPA Bushwalkers, Murray River Walk, the Friends of the Heysen Trail, ARPA Bushwalkers and Mountain Designs.
Hikes from the Trails Less Travelled event
1.
Wine Shanty Hike, Cleland National Park
10km, 4 hours
A circuit bushwalk through Cleland National Park, through stringbark forest, some steep climbs with gentler sections. It’s easy to extend to the hike to include Mt Lofty walking up the Lodge Track and Chinamans Hut Track to the main Waterfall Gully trail.
2.
Chambers Hike
9.6km, 3 hours
Starting from the Chambers Gully carpark on Waterfall Gully Road, enjoy the track fringed with ferns through Chambers Gully. It’s easy to extend the walk to include Mt Lofty Summit by walking up Long Ridge Track, and Hartfords Trail or Lodge Track to join near the top of the Waterfall Gully Trail..
3.
Heysen Trail Mt Lofty circuit
7.5km, 3-5 hours
Experience a Heysen Trail highlight on this 7.5km loop hike. The hike includes the summit of Mt Lofty, quaint cottages and small-scale farming in Piccadilly Valley, a walk through the Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens, and the stringybark forests of Cleland National Park.
4.
Measday Hike
4.8km, 2 hours
Venture into the southern-most parts of the park, along this secluded track. Enjoy views over the gully below from the well-made track before plunging down to explore it at ground level. It’s easy to extend to the walk to include Mt Lofty summit by following the Adventure Trail up to the summit.
5.
Mount Lofty to Bridgewater on the Heysen Trail
7.5km, 2-3 hours one way (15km return, 4-6 hours return)
Highlight walk of the Heysen Trail, from Mount Lofty Summit, views over Piccadilly Valley, the forest in Mount George Conservation Park, two tunnels, the Fairy Garden in Deanery Reserve and on to Old Bridgewater Mill.
6.
Main St Crafers to Mt Lofty Summit
4.9km, 2 hours one-way
The 4.5km walking track from Crafers to the Mt Lofty summit has been re-opened. The trail is an alternative to the popular 400m ascent Waterfall Gully-Mt Lofty track.
7.
Adventure Trail from Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty Summit
10km, 5km one way (10km return, 3 hours)
This hike provides an alternative route to Mt Lofty Summit from Waterfall Gully. Enjoy the forests as the fire track follows the ridges up Chinamans Hut Track.
8.
Winter Track & Long Ridge Track to Mt Lofty
6.7km, 2-3 hours
Enjoy the cool sanctuary Woolshed Gully, keeping a watch out for koalas and kangaroos along the way. Meeting the Long Ridge Track take in the splendid views of the city and coast, slowly ascending the long ridge towards the summit.
9.
Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty summit hike
3.9km, 1.5 – 3 hours return. Keen hikers/runners 30-55min up, 25-35min down. A popular walking trail with a cafe at each end, a well made path and regular seating.
The trail was re-opened yesterday, on 15th October 2016, with some small detours.