Dam Wall Loop, Warren Reservoir

A short drive south east of Williamstown in the Barossa Valley is Warren Reservoir Reserve. Here you can explore by foot or mountain bike along two trails, or bring your kayak and paddle the waters.

Trails within Warren Reservoir

Trail Temporarily Closed

November 2023: The Dam Loop trail is currently closed. The northern carpark is open for visitors including for kayaking and fishing, but the Dam Loop trail is not open to trail users.

Trailhead Signage

Signage at the carpark trailhead may not reflect the new named, waymarked trails. We expect carpark trailhead signage will be updated during 2024.

Once you start walking, the trail is well marked along the way with coloured, named waymark signs.

The two loop trails in the reservoir reserve, and connections to the Southern Barossa Linkage Trails:

On this page:
Dam Wall Loop, 2h – 2h 30min 5.7km loop (marked in orange on maps. On some maps the trail is marked in purple or dark green)
The Dam Wall Loop follows fire tracks. It is a Grade 4 trail (Very steep hills. Bushwalking experience recommended.)
The trail is a shared-use trail for both walkers, trail runners and mountain bikers (rated for mountain bikes as Intermediate – suitable for skilled mountain bikers)
River Loop, 1h 45mins 8.8km loop (marked in green on maps. On some maps the trail is marked in rose pink or yellow)
The River Loop follows fire tracks. It is a Grade 3 trail (Short steep hills. Some bushwalking experience required.)
The trail is a shared-use trail for both walkers, trail runners and mountain bikers (rated for mountain bikes as Intermediate – suitable for skilled mountain bikers)

Trail Connections

From this trailhead you can access some of the Southern Barossa Linkage Trails network, which links to Mt Crawford Forest, South Para Reservoir Reserve, Para Wirra Conservation Park, Warren Conservation Park and Williamstown.

Some hiking experience and planning for the longer journeys is recommended.

Connection to Hale Conservation Park (marked in light gray on maps)
South Para Reservoir Reserve to Warren Reservoir Reserve Trail (marked in black on maps)
Connection to the River Loop via some of the South Para Reservoir Reserve to Warren Reservoir Reserve Trail (marked in black on maps) and the Warren to Para Wirra via South Para, 20.7km one-way (marked in orange on maps)
Connection to Warren to Para Wirra via South Para, 20.7km one-way (marked in orange and marked in teal on maps)

About the Dam Wall Loop, Warren Reservoir

The Dam Wall Loop starts at the Warren Reservoir Northern Car Park (of the two carparks, this one is closer to Williamstown).

Explore the reservoir reserve and keep an eye out for echidnas, small birds and termite mounds among the dense vegetation. Take a short walk to the dam wall lookout and back to tackle the whole loop.

The Dam Wall Loop is an unsealed trail following fire and access tracks. The trail is shared-use for walkers, runners and mountain bikers, so respect other trail users.

There are picnic shelters and accessible toilets located in the carpark.

Getting there

Start the trail from the Warren Reservoir Northern Car Park, located off of Warren Road (B34), Mount Crawford SA 5351, 4.5km south of Williamstown. Of the two carparks, this one is closer to Williamstown.

Trail opening hours

Dates	Times
Throughout the year:	Sunrise to sunset
Total Fire Ban Days (generally occur between October and April – check on cfs.sa.gov.au)	Closed
During reservoir operational activity (check on reservoirs.sa.gov.au)	Closed (gates will be closed)

Dog walking not permitted

Dogs are not welcome at reservoir reserves as they can carry harmful organisms that can easily contaminate the water and present a risk to the safety of the drinking water. Assistance animals are accepted.