From gruelling multi-day hike or a quick traverse into the wild for an hour trek, walking is one of the best ways to get exercise, get outdoors and clear your mind. It’s also an excellent way to discover new places. So, whether you’re South Australian born and bred, or your visiting for the first time, SA is more than just vineyards and churches, it has a tonne of excellent walking trails, too. In fact, it’s actually home to the longest self-contained walking trail in Australia – spanning an impressive 1,200km. No matter what your fitness level is, here are all the best walking trails across South Australia to explore.
01
Heysen Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
If you’re looking for a challenging walk, it doesn’t get more difficult than The Heysen Trail. The trail is South Australia’s most famous long-distance walking trail and the longest self-contained walking trail in Australia. Stretching an impressive 1,200 km from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, this trail takes between 50 to 60 days to complete in its entirety. While the full trail is a serious undertaking, there are a plethora of smaller sections that you can do as a day hike or an overnight adventure. Whether you trek the entire 1,200 kilometres or smaller sections, you’ll be treated to incredible sights of coastal cliffs, farmlands and the outback.
02
Mount Lofty Summit Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
The Mount Lofty Summit Trail is one of Adelaide’s most popular hikes. Trekking through the Cleland Conservation Park, the trail starts at Waterfall Gully and winds you up to the summit of Mount Lofty over the course of a 3 hour walk. At the summit, you’ll score unparalleled panoramic views over Adelaide, the rolling vineyards that pincer the city and on a clear day, you can even see all the way to Kangaroo Island. Though it’s a short hike, the walk is quite steep in some areas as you ascend, making the walk moderate to challenging.
03
Kangaroo Island – Hanson Bay Hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Kangaroo Island is a must-visit spot if you’re visiting Adelaide. With an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, the best way to truly explore the island is through the Hanson Bay Hike. Spanning 9 kilometres, this walk will take you along the cliffs, beaches, and dense bushland that surround the island. Taking four hours to complete the loop, the hike is relatively easy for most of the trail with only a few steep inclines.
04
Wilpena Pound – St Mary Peak Hike
Difficulty: Challenging
Looking for a real challenge? The St Mary Peak Hike in the Flinders Ranges is a gruelling 20 kilometre loop that will take you to the highest point in the Flinders Ranges. Taking almost five hours to complete in its entirety, when you get to the St Mary Peak, you’ll be rewarded with unrivalled views of Wilpena Pound and the surrounding outback. The hike is demanding, with steep sections and rocky terrain, so it’s not for beginners. This is also a full-day hike, so be sure to start early and bring plenty of water.
05
Onkaparinga River National Park – Sundews Ridge Hike
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Day-long hikes can be fun, but sometimes you only have an hour or two to squeeze in a walk. The Sundews Ridge Hike in Onkaparinga River National Park is a short walk that only takes an hour to complete. The highlight of the walk is the lookout point where you’ll get the opportunity to look down at the Onkaparinga Gorge and the river. Being a short, moderate walk, this trek is great for families or for someone looking for a quick traverse into nature.
06
River Torrens Park Trail
Difficulty: Easy
One of the best walking trails in South Australia for an urban trek is the River Torrens Linear Park Trail. This 30 kilometre trail follows the River Torrens from the Adelaide Hills to the coast at West Beach making it an easy and scenic walk right through the heart of Adelaide. Along the way, you’ll walk through parklands, wetlands, and along the riverbank so there’ll be plenty of opportunities to stop and picnic or pop into one of the cafes.