About the Walking Trail

This meandering walking trail from Crafers to Mount Lofty summit was reopened by Adelaide Hills Council in February 2015.

In February 2016 the trail network was expanded, with a new walking and cycling trail constructed through Cleland National Park linking existing fire tracks. This link trail means that walkers can now walk from Crafers to Mt Lofty with no road walking – as they follow the meandering trail through Cleland National Park. The trail is a shared use trail with cyclists (rated as an Easy Ride). The State Government worked with Adelaide Hills Council to formalise the link trail, which included 700 metres of new trail and the resurfacing of 800 metres of existing trail.

This trail is an alternative to the popular and steep Waterfall Gully-Mt Lofty trail. The 4.5km trail starts on Main St, Crafers, before heading to Mt Lofty House and the Mt Lofty summit. It only rises 140m compared with 400m for the popular Waterfall Gully track.

The Crafers to Mount Lofty Trail starts in Crafers, the village once made infamous by bushrangers and tiersmen who frequented the Sawyer’s Arms, one of the state’s first pubs. It meanders through the eucalypt forest of Cleland National Park, ending at the popular Mount Lofty Summit lookout.

A series of three walking trails starting in Crafers, meandering along quiet country lanes and reserves.

Each trail is well marked with colour-coded trail markers. All three trails begin at the trailhead in Main Street, Crafers, by the roundabout near the freeway exit. It is possible to begin in Stirling and hike all the way to Mt Lofty summit.

 Crafers to Mount Lofty Trail, marked blue, 4.9km one way

• Rated moderate to hard (9km return). Takes in part of the Heysen Trail
• Trail segments:
  • Crafers to loop junction via Cleland National Park: 2.6km
  • Loop junction to Mt Lofty summit: 2.3km
  • Crafers to loop junction via Hardy Road: 2.2km
• Things to watch out for on your journey: Stunning views of the Adelaide Plains and Piccadilly Valley. Wildlife includes kangaroos, koalas, shingleback lizards, bearded dragons and superb fairy-wrens.
• Some steep gradients plus irregular, loose and uneven surfaces

 Crafers Circuit, marked bright green, 2.8km loop

• Rated moderate to hard.
• Things to watch out for on your journey: historic Mount Lofty House, Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.
• Some steep gradients plus irregular, loose and uneven surfaces

 Crafers – Stirling Circuit, marked orange, 4.2km loop

• Rated moderate, takes in part of the Pioneer Womens Trail
• Things to watch out for on your journey: historic homes and shady, cool climate gardens, including significant early plantings of deciduous trees
• Some moderate gradients plus irregular, loose and uneven surfaces