Heysen Trail

The 1,200km Heysen Trail, runs from the Fleurieu Peninsula (think truly spectacular coastal scenery) to the south of Adelaide to the Mounty Lofty  Ranges and the Flinders Ranges to the north.

This is an area of very rugged, very ancient hills (mountains in the British not Himalayan sense) whose geological history stretches back some 600 million years in some areas. Geological highlights include extraordinary Wilpena Pound and the Edeowie and the Brachina gorges.

This can be very dry, very hot countryside, with classic Aussie wildlife to match: wallabies and kangaroos, snakes, and a wide variety of birds. The seemingly oppressed vegetation explodes with colour in spring - if the rain falls. 

The first half,Cape Jarvis to Spalding, is relatively easy walking on the Fleurieu Penisula and through the Mount Lofty Ranges. Further north is more isolated and tougher. 

Few will walk the whole trail (diminishing returns will apply). Best sections include:

• The southern coastline (Cape Jervis to Victor Harbour) of the Fleurieu Penisula, and especially the Deep Creek Conservation Area.
• Myponga Conservation Area, tougher walking but excellent scenery and landscape. Mount Magnificent is ... err ... magnificent.
• Mount Lofty Ranges (Fleurieu to Barossa).
• Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park (forest, scrub and grassland)
• Tourilie Gorge, an old throughfare
•  Mount Remarkable at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges and nearby Alligator Gorge.
• Melrose to Woolshed Flat, and Mount Brown and Pichi Richi Pass south of Quorn.
• The Wilcolo Valley is well spoken of.
• Mount Arden
• Buckranga Gorge
•  Wilpena Pound
• Hawker to Parachilna and the final fling, the hugely dramatic Parachilna Gorge at the northern end of The Flinders

The trail is open in April to October - parts are closed at other times due to fire risks. 

Guidebooks with maps can be bought locally, or online.

Accommodation is a mix of huts and camping. The guidebooks show campsites, and give details of accommodation in towns.

The Heysen Trail Website (http://heysentrail.asn.au/heysen-trail/) has information on campsites and accommodation, a service directory and transport information.

The trail is reasonably visible, with some signage.

This page is at an early stage of development. Please help us by recommending your best walks, making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Flinder Ranges walk page.