Gorge Hike

Walking Trail Facts
Distance
5.8 km circuit
Duration
2-4 hours
Suitable for
Hiking, Trail Running
Trail Class
Grade 4, Hard Hike
Terrain
Steep
Park (national park, conservation park, forest, reserve)
Onkaparinga River National Park
Region
Adelaide City & Suburbs, Adelaide Hills
Trail manager
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
Download maps & GPS files
  1. 2 GPS files
  2. 1 website link
Jump to Downloads section
Photos
12 photos
Travel options
  1. Car
Travel time from Adelaide
1 hour or less
Gorge Hike

About the Walking Trail

This hike was previously known as the Sundews River.

This trail descends from the Sundews Lookout along a contoured walking trail to the bottom of the gorge, and then follows the river downstream for 1.6km before returning via a steep fire track to the ridge and the car park.

The walk takes in two perennial waterholes, and a lookout. There are numerous glimpses into the river gorge from various parts of the trail.

The 1.6km of trail along the river is not well-formed, and involves some short rock scrambling. Current water levels and recent rainfall can impact on how hard this river section of trail is to follow.

The trail is easiest to navigate when walking clockwise, as the fire trail exit is easily spotted, whereas when walking anticlockwise the walking trail exit may be harder to find.

Begins from the carpark at Gate 11 on Piggott Range Road (near junction of Upper Penneys Hill Road).

Extend the walk

  • Walk further up or down the gorge (there is no marked trail, and it may be overgrown or impassable in sections)
  • Walk on part of the Sundews Ridge Hike (2 hour loop)
  • Walk the Nature Trail (2 hours, 3.5 km loop) and Echidna Trail (2.5 hours, 3.5km loop)
  • Shorten the walk with the Sundews Ridge Hike (5km, 2 hours)

Downloads

Download KML/KMZ file
Download GPX file

Photos