The Australian hiking directory
Explore 6 hiking experiences in South Australia.
South Australia's walking stretches from the green gullies of the Adelaide Hills to the rugged, ochre ranges of the Flinders and the wild coast of Kangaroo Island. Adelaide is unusual among Australian capitals for having serious hiking right on the edge of the suburbs.
From the city, the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty summit hike climbs about 500 m through Cleland National Park to the highest point in the Adelaide Hills. Morialta Conservation Park has waterfall circuits and plateau walks, and the Yurrebilla Trail links several Hills parks over about 54 km.
South Australia is also home to the Heysen Trail, one of the world's longest dedicated walking trails at about 1,200 km. It runs from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. Most walkers do it in sections, and parts close during the fire danger season (about December to April).
In the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Wilpena Pound is a vast natural amphitheatre. The Wangara Lookout walk is a moderate introduction, and the longer St Mary Peak circuit is a demanding full-day hike. The Adnyamathanha people, the Traditional Owners, ask walkers not to climb to the summit of St Mary Peak out of cultural respect. Please honour that request and stop at Tanderra Saddle.
On Kangaroo Island, the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (61 km, 5 days) passes Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and wild southern beaches. On the Fleurieu Peninsula, Deep Creek National Park has coastal and waterfall walks. Further north, Mount Remarkable National Park offers summit and gorge walks.
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA charges vehicle entry fees at some parks and requires bookings for campsites. Multi-park passes are available.
The best walking season is autumn to spring, roughly April to November. Summer brings extreme heat and fire danger, particularly in the Flinders Ranges.
How to use this page. Each SA listing below shows the official track grade (AWTGS), distance, typical walking time, elevation gain, access and parking notes, fees or permits, the best season, whether dogs are allowed, and the facilities at the trailhead. Use the filters to narrow by region, time available or difficulty. You can also add walks to your favourites or compare up to three side by side. Every fact links back to the managing park agency, so you can check current conditions. If you know a well-loved SA walk we've missed, or spot an out-of-date detail, tell us through the Contact page and we'll check it against the official source before updating. New to hiking? Start with our beginner, what-to-pack and safety guides before heading out.
Before you go: check NPWS SA alerts, the BOM forecast and fire danger rating. Inclusion here doesn't mean a track is currently open or safe.
Choose your next adventure
Morialta Third Falls Hike in Morialta Conservation Park, South Australia. Published distance: 7.3 loop km. Walking time: 3.5 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Wilpena Pound – St Mary Peak in Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP, South Australia. Published distance: 21.5 loop (direct route 14.6 return) km. Walking time: 9 h loop / 6 h direct. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Wangara Lookout Hike in Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP, South Australia. Published distance: 7.2 (lower) / 7.8 (upper) return km. Walking time: 3–3.5 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail in Flinders Chase NP, South Australia. Published distance: 61 one way km. Walking time: 5 days. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Heysen Trail (whole trail) in Multiple (Cape Jervis–Parachilna Gorge), South Australia. Published distance: ~1,200 one way km. Walking time: 50–60 days. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
Mount Remarkable Summit Hike in Mount Remarkable NP, South Australia. Published distance: 13 return km. Walking time: 4 h. Check the official source for current access and conditions.
From coast to high country
Start with the time you have, then consider terrain, fitness, experience and access needs. Compare official track grades alongside the walk’s distance and published conditions. A short walk can still be technically demanding.
Explore walks across all eight Australian states and territories. Free basic inclusion is available to eligible trails, operators and hiking groups.
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